Personality Disorders
 
A personality disorder is a persistent pattern of emotions, cognitions and behavior that results in enduring emotional distress for the person affected and/or for others and may cause difficulties with work and relationships. DSM-5 divides the personality disorders into three groups or clusters. The cluster division is based on resemblance. Cluster A is called the odd or eccentric clusters; it includes paranoid, schizoid and schizotypal personality disorders. Cluster B is the dramatic, emotional or erratic cluster; it consists of antisocial, borderline, histrionic, and narcissistic personality disorders. Cluster C is the anxious or fearful cluster, it includes avoidant, dependent and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders.

Cluster 'C'
People diagnosed with cluster c personality disorders – avoidant, dependent and obsessive-compulsive - share common features with people who have anxiety disorders. It is anxious and fearful personality disorder.

Avoidant personality Disorder

As the name suggests, people with avoidant personality disorder are extremely sensitive to the opinions of others and although they desire social relationships, their anxiety leads them to avoid such associations. Their extremely low self esteem- coupled with a fear of rejection causes them to be limited in their friendships and dependent on those they feel comfortable with.

SYMPTOMS

1. Fearful of possibility of criticism.
2. Fearful of being rejected.
3. Fearful of possibility of disapproval.
4. Is unwilling to get involved with people unless certain of being liked.
5. Shows restraint within intimate relationships because of the fear of being shamed or ridiculed.
6. Is preoccupied with being criticized or rejected in social situations.
7. Is inhibited in new interpersonal situations because of feelings of inadequacy.
8. Views self as socially inept, personally unappealing, or inferior to others.
9. Is unusually reluctant to take personal risks or to engage in any new activities because they may prove embarrassing.

CAUSES

• Low Self-Esteem.
• Fear of rejection, criticism lead to fear of attention.
• Extreme sensitivity.
• Resemble Social Phobia.

Biological

• Innate characteristic may cause rejection.

Social/Cultural

• Insufficient parental affection.

TREATMENTS

• Behavioral intervention techniques sometime successful –
  -Systematic desensitization.
  - Behavioral rehearsal
• Improvements usually modest.
   

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REFERENCE