Social anxiety disorder and avoidant personality disorder are both conditions that cause people to feel extremely anxious in social situations. People with these conditions will avoid social interaction as much as possible, despite the fact they typically desire social connection and close relationships. Both conditions can significantly impair one’s ability to form relationships and hinder one’s career. People with these conditions may use alcohol or drugs to cope with the social situations they can’t avoid or to cope with the alienation and depression that often result from living with these conditions for a long time. People with either condition share a deep fear of humiliation and rejection. The main difference is that people with social anxiety disorder often know their fears are irrational, while people with avoidant personality disorder believe that they are inferior to others and therefore rejection and humiliation are not only inevitable, but deserved. People with social anxiety disorder may have high self-esteem in other areas but still fear embarrassment or rejection. The difference is that they don’t necessarily view others’ judgments as valid. Valid or not, social rejection is painful and can have real consequences and people with social anxiety disorder often exaggerate the negative consequences of social mistakes. People with avoidant personality disorder, on the other hand, have low self-esteem and they believe judgment, criticism, and rejection are only the natural result of their inferiority. It’s not that they fear others will make erroneous judgments about them; they accept that those harsh judgments they fear are valid. This is often a result of harsh criticism or rejection in childhood, often by parents. There seems to be a genetic component as well. Avoidant personality disorder is the more severe of the two and more difficult to treat. Whereas people with social anxiety disorder often realize their fears are irrational and otherwise have good self-esteem, people with avoidant personality disorder believe they’re being objective and their negative self-image is justified. Treating avoidant personality disorder requires someone to change long-held beliefs about themselves, as well as their beliefs about social interaction. Both social anxiety disorder and avoidant personality disorder can be treated effectively. They are both typically treated with a combination of medication and psychotherapy. The medication is usually an SSRI that helps reduce anxiety by boosting serotonin. Psychotherapy is usually cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, and focuses on identifying faulty assumptions about social interaction, changing negative thinking patterns, and gradually exposing patients to the kinds of situations that make them anxious.
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental illness, we can help. Recovery Ways is a premier drug and alcohol addiction treatment facility located in Salt Lake City, Utah. We have the resources to effectively treat a dual diagnosis. Our mission is to provide the most cost-effective, accessible substance abuse treatment to as many people as possible. Request information online or call us today at 1-888-986-7848.
