PDD-nos or personality disorder?

I've been seeing a therapist for what i assumed was avoidant personality disorder, because of the fear of rejection and criticism, abandonment, and general avoidance of anything to do with new social situations. She seems to think i have some kind of PDD, which was new to me. I guess some of the traits fit, like being unable to pick up on social cues, facial expressions, having somewhat rigid thinking, and having high intelligence but crappy communication skills. She might be right, but i know the actual social phobia and fear of rejection fits more with the APD diagnosis. I guess it's possible to have both diagnoses, but how common is it? I had a wreck of a childhood, starting in preschool i sat in a corner and didn't talk to anyone. I would pretty much freeze up and stare at an object when called on in class. I guess i also had some motor skill problems, i started walking late and i was always falling and bumping into things. I still can't ride a bike. Eventually someone diagnosed me with selective mutism. So i'm not sure right now where i fit with all these diagnoses, all i know is that i've always been socially crippled and it sucks.

Hi, Simmy86! It must be hard for you to live with this problem. I'm afraid I don't know much about these disorders, but I am posting to let you know that our forum is always here if you need to vent. Also, you can try posting in the Avoidant Personality Disorder forum as well, since you might get more replies there. I hope you're feeling ok.

Your diagnositic adventures seem to develop along the same lines as mine, I was thinking Avoidant PD as well, until the psych suggested they'd test for Autism as well ...

Simmy86 wrote:I've been seeing a therapist for what i assumed was avoidant personality disorder, because of the fear of rejection and criticism, abandonment, and general avoidance of anything to do with new social situations. She seems to think i have some kind of PDD, which was new to me. I guess some of the traits fit, like being unable to pick up on social cues, facial expressions, having somewhat rigid thinking, and having high intelligence but crappy communication skills. She might be right, but i know the actual social phobia and fear of rejection fits more with the APD diagnosis. I guess it's possible to have both diagnoses, but how common is it? I had a wreck of a childhood, starting in preschool i sat in a corner and didn't talk to anyone. I would pretty much freeze up and stare at an object when called on in class. I guess i also had some motor skill problems, i started walking late and i was always falling and bumping into things. I still can't ride a bike. Eventually someone diagnosed me with selective mutism. So i'm not sure right now where i fit with all these diagnoses, all i know is that i've always been socially crippled and it sucks.

No, fear of rejection and social phobia are many times comorbid with Aspergers/High functioning Autism, I experienced both and am still experiencing them, and I am AS. I could not feet the criteria for AvPD at all.
Social phobia and fear of rejection often occure because of social awkwardness, lack of empathy, Theory of Mind, very low social skills and not knowing the social cues and rules. And I read about SM (selective mutism), it's like severe social phobia.
From what you've written, you are for certain somewhere on the autistic spectrum, no doubt.
Look about it.

I think it does sound like some kind of ASD/PDD, with all the symptoms you mentioned. Yes AvPD and PDD can be comorbid, but avoiding situations can be BECAUSE of PDD. Selective Mutism is attributed to Social Phobia (SAD). Its when you are selectively mute (only talk to a selective few) because of fear of persecution. Even though the DSM says SM and PDD can not be diagnosed together because the SM could be a communication issue instead of a phobia, but I have both (SM and PDD) so I believe they can be classified together.