Avoidant Personality Disorder

Avoidant personality disorder is characterized by extreme social inhibition (shyness), feelings of inadequacy, and acute sensitivity to actual or perceived rejection. While most people have certainly feelings of insecurity, for people with avoidant personality disorder these feelings are extremely intense and lead to an avoidance of social interaction that negatively impacts their day-to-day life.

Demographics (for lifetime prevalence)2 Sex and race were not found to be associated with personality disorders.

Prevalence. 12-month prevalence: 5.2% of U.S. adult population1 Severe: not reported. Lifetime prevalence: not reported.

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¹Lenzenweger MF, Lane MC, Loranger AW, Kessler RC (2007). DSM-IV personality disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Biological Psychiatry, 62(6), 553-564.
²Ibid
³Ibid

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Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS)
National Institute of Mental Health's National Comorbidity Survey
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's National Expenditures for Mental Health Services and Substance Abuse Treatment Report

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