How to treat an Avoidant Personality Disorder? (Anxious Personality Disorder) - Doctor Explains
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In this video we will
In this video we will discuss Avoidant personality disorder and how to treat it.This video is part of a video series on mental health problems. So for more mental health related videos check out this playlist: Mental Health Problems and Solutions
What is an Avoidant Personality Disorder (APD)?
As the name suggests it is a personality disorder. As a mental illness it is characterized by severe social anxiety and avoidance of this fear. Patients with APD consider themselves to be unappealing and avoid social interaction for the fear of being humiliated, ridiculed or rejected.
Other symptoms may be the feeling of being inferior, extreme sensitivity to rejection or criticism and avoidance of social interaction.
APD is quite common, as it affects about 2,4% of the general population. It is equally common among men and women.
It is still unclear how a APD is caused, however it is believed to be caused by a combinations of factors. Biological ones (like temperamental factors which are inherited), psychological factors (like emotional neglect in childhood and/or have anxiety disorders in childhood) and Social factors (like peer-group rejection).
Lastly APD often occurs in conjunction with the following disorders: depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorder and other personality disorders (most commonly a dependent PD).
The effectiveness of treatments:
Here I want to mention that a key part of treatment is gaining and keeping a patient’s trust. As people with APD will often start to avoid treatment sessions if they fear rejection or distrust their therapist.
Therefore the primary purpose of treatment is for a patient to challenge their exaggerated negative beliefs about themselves. When done correctly significant improvement of the APD is possible.
There are several treatment forms which can be effective, among which social skills training, cognitive behavioral therapy, psychotherapy and SCHEMA-therapy. Some of these can be done individually, but others are done in a group. This can gradually increase social contacts, where social skills can be practiced.
Possible treatment options:
- First of all, social skills training can help patients reduce the effects of APD on their lives.
- Second, it will no surprise that the behavioral therapies focus on the behavior of a patient. In which difficult events out of normal daily life are practiced, so a patient can learn how to cope with these events. This can lead to new, positive experiences.
- Next up, in psychotherapy patients will explore unconscious factors behind their feelings of inferiority. This can help to resolve past conflicts that may cause current problems.
- In addition, SCHEMA-therapy is aimed at helping patients identify and understand patterns and coping mechanism which they established from their early childhood. To then modify these to change their behavior towards others.
- Lastly, there is no medication specifically approved for the treatment of APD. However, several drugs can be used to treat symptoms of other co-occurring mental health disorders. As an example, a co-occurring depression could be treated with antidepressants.
Ultimately it is best to discuss these treatment options with your physician to identify which ones are most suitable for you.
- Disclaimer: this video and the comments are meant purely informational! This is not medical advice! If you are looking for medical advice always contact your own doctor. -
I want to give special thanks to my sponsors on Patreon:
- Sebastian Houwing: Investor
- Roel: Supporter
Literature:
1: Lampe L. Malhi G. (2018) Avoidant personality disorder: Current insights. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 11, 55-56.
2: Goodtherapy. (2019). Treatment for Avoidant Personality.
3: WebMD. (2017). Avoidant Personality Disorder.
* The images in this video are used for educational purposes only. Most of the images and video material in this video come from https://www.canva.com/.
Music:
1. Verified Picasso, Fish Room
2. Patrick Patrikos, Good Times
3: Patrick Patrikios. Rockville
Follow me on instagram: @HOWTOMEDICATE
Follow me on twitter: @HOWTOMEDICATE
Support HOW TO MEDICATE on Patreon: Patreon: howtomedicate
What is an Avoidant Personality Disorder (APD)?
As the name suggests it is a personality disorder. As a mental illness it is characterized by severe social anxiety and avoidance of this fear. Patients with APD consider themselves to be unappealing and avoid social interaction for the fear of being humiliated, ridiculed or rejected.
Other symptoms may be the feeling of being inferior, extreme sensitivity to rejection or criticism and avoidance of social interaction.
APD is quite common, as it affects about 2,4% of the general population. It is equally common among men and women.
It is still unclear how a APD is caused, however it is believed to be caused by a combinations of factors. Biological ones (like temperamental factors which are inherited), psychological factors (like emotional neglect in childhood and/or have anxiety disorders in childhood) and Social factors (like peer-group rejection).
Lastly APD often occurs in conjunction with the following disorders: depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorder and other personality disorders (most commonly a dependent PD).
The effectiveness of treatments:
Here I want to mention that a key part of treatment is gaining and keeping a patient’s trust. As people with APD will often start to avoid treatment sessions if they fear rejection or distrust their therapist.
Therefore the primary purpose of treatment is for a patient to challenge their exaggerated negative beliefs about themselves. When done correctly significant improvement of the APD is possible.
There are several treatment forms which can be effective, among which social skills training, cognitive behavioral therapy, psychotherapy and SCHEMA-therapy. Some of these can be done individually, but others are done in a group. This can gradually increase social contacts, where social skills can be practiced.
Possible treatment options:
- First of all, social skills training can help patients reduce the effects of APD on their lives.
- Second, it will no surprise that the behavioral therapies focus on the behavior of a patient. In which difficult events out of normal daily life are practiced, so a patient can learn how to cope with these events. This can lead to new, positive experiences.
- Next up, in psychotherapy patients will explore unconscious factors behind their feelings of inferiority. This can help to resolve past conflicts that may cause current problems.
- In addition, SCHEMA-therapy is aimed at helping patients identify and understand patterns and coping mechanism which they established from their early childhood. To then modify these to change their behavior towards others.
- Lastly, there is no medication specifically approved for the treatment of APD. However, several drugs can be used to treat symptoms of other co-occurring mental health disorders. As an example, a co-occurring depression could be treated with antidepressants.
Ultimately it is best to discuss these treatment options with your physician to identify which ones are most suitable for you.
- Disclaimer: this video and the comments are meant purely informational! This is not medical advice! If you are looking for medical advice always contact your own doctor. -
I want to give special thanks to my sponsors on Patreon:
- Sebastian Houwing: Investor
- Roel: Supporter
Literature:
1: Lampe L. Malhi G. (2018) Avoidant personality disorder: Current insights. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 11, 55-56.
2: Goodtherapy. (2019). Treatment for Avoidant Personality.
3: WebMD. (2017). Avoidant Personality Disorder.
* The images in this video are used for educational purposes only. Most of the images and video material in this video come from https://www.canva.com/.
Music:
1. Verified Picasso, Fish Room
2. Patrick Patrikos, Good Times
3: Patrick Patrikios. Rockville
Follow me on instagram: @HOWTOMEDICATE
Follow me on twitter: @HOWTOMEDICATE
Support HOW TO MEDICATE on Patreon: Patreon: howtomedicate
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