I am looking to talk to someone that is familiar with Avoidant Personality Disorder. I would be interested in your experiences as well as what treatment you have been through that has helped you.

I currently spend most of my time in my house. I have been on sick leave for five months and know that I can't return to the job I was in. I have been with the same company for 24 years.

If anyone has some advice for me, I would love to hear it.

Thank you

I was diagnosed as having Avoidant Personality a few months ago. Had I been diagnosed years ago...may be I would be in a different place. Instead, I was told it was depression and or anxiety; yes, I have both of those conditions as well. Now, I understand why.

I had the third major breakdown, of my life, late last year, and have not been back to work since. Fortunately, I am being paid. Unfortunately, I know that I cannot go back to the toxic environment in which I worked. It's hard to realize that after 24 years, I reached my limit.

I am private, do not gossip, keep to myself and was good at my job. This made me a target; I don't know why, but it did. Your worst fears, as an avoidant, are to be judged, mocked, talked about, laughed at, etcetera. I felt like my worst nightmare came true. If I did something to deserve, I could understand. I did not deserve it.

I'm tired of not being normal. I'm tired of wishing I was someone else. I'm tired of being scared of everything.

I've done the counselling thing many times over the years...it did nothing. They listen, but I want someone to just tell me what to do. Just tell me what to do and I'll do it.

I hate who I am....