AvoidantPersonalityDisorder - Avoidant Personality Disorder...

Avoidant Personality Disorder – Alyssa
General info
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Pervasive pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative
evaluation
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Extremly shy, inhibited in new situations, and fearful of disapproval and social rejection – intensity is
beyond the level of general shyness and produce impairment
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About 40% of population is shy
Epidemiology
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In general adult population: 2.1-2.6%
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Associated with avoidant personality disorder, schizoid personality disorder, and social anxiety disorder
Etiology
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Social anxiety – involve dysfunction in amygdala and connections, dysregulation in brain’s
dopamine system, and genetic (brain derived neurotrophic factor)
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Exact cause is unkown
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Related to temperament and personality traits – influenced by genetic and environmental factors
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Diagnosis
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DSM-IV criteria
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Patients exhibit 4 or more of the behaviors below
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