Diagnosing APD

Hello everyone:
This is my first post to this forum. One of the first threads I went to here was about the danger of self diagnosing. I've often fallen into that trap: thinking I have every mental disorder out there.

However, the symptoms of Avoidant Personality Disorder fit me to a T. I read articles about it and think "that's me." My whole life I've had no close friends, constanlty change jobs, few romantic relationships and I isolate most of the time. Its a relief to find a name for what's been bothering my entire life but it's also quite aggravating.

I'm just wondering why nobody diagnoses this? Most psychiatrists I've been to rarely mention this disorder. They always use the general heading "depression" and "anxiety" to label pretty every psychiaric ailment. I mean I definitely struggle with some of the symptoms of depression and anxiety. But that's not the whole story.

Unfortunately, a lot of the medication and talk therapy I've received over the years use a "one size fits all" method. Meaning even though I don't suffer from panic attacks, paranoia and phobias, I'm taking medication for those things. The meds I take do help with APD. Thankfully. But the talk therapy really doesn't address it all.

I'm thinking about bringing APD up to my therapist and see what she thinks. And what tx options are out there. Hopefully she's heard of it.

Great to find this board. Hope I didn't write too much!
SL

Sounds to me like a good plan to mention it to therapist.

But I'm a practical guy: getting a dx is mostly important if you're trying to be sure you get the right therapeutic/medical assistance.

You don't need to know if you're a "certfiable" APD to benefit by learning about avoidant patterns... and the strategies that seem to help.

I've learned most from behavioral therapies & cognitive behavioral therapies. I especially like Dr. Burns' "Feeling Good." Most helpful for identifying and altering the self-talk and belief patterns I have that make me miserable and inhibit me from taking the risks that bring me what I need.

Welcome to the forum!—LQ

The worst thing is to have a psychologist who labels you as aspergers, depressed or anxious. You need a doctor that is an expert in avp. The truth is avp isnt that known.

I guess if the patient looks depressed or anxious, it's no use to go in behavior and cognitive therapy for AvPD right away, it will be a loss of time. They'll try to treat these problems first.

On the other hand, if the patient already has a more positive attitude and seems better put together at first but just have troubles with his social life because of the AvPD symptoms, I really doubt the word "depression" and even "drugs" will come out. The chit-chat therapy will be short and B&C therapy will start fast....
I'm probably in the latter category but I don't see anyone, too much $$$. Maybe when car payments will be gone...

Quite every doctors in psychology are specialized in one area, it's impossible for them to know everything so it's really important to get informed before starting anything...