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Avoidant personality disorder


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Definition

Avoidant personality disorder is a mental health condition in which a person has a lifelong pattern of feeling very shy, inadequate, and sensitive to rejection.


Alternative Names

Personality disorder - avoidant


Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Personality disorders are lifelong patterns of behavior that cause problems with work and relationships.

About 1% of the population has avoidant personality disorder. Both males and females have the condition equally. The cause is unknown.



Review Date: 11/23/2010
Reviewed By: Linda Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Michelle Benger Merrill, MD, Instructor in Clinical Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).




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