The
work group is recommending that this disorder be reformulated as the Avoidant Type.
Individuals
who match this personality disorder type have a negative sense of self,
associated with a profound sense of inadequacy, and inhibition in establishing
intimate interpersonal relationships. More specifically, they feel
anxious, inadequate, inferior, socially inept, and personally unappealing; are
easily ashamed or embarrassed; and are self-critical, often setting
unrealistically high standards for themselves. At the same time, they may
have a desire to be recognized by others as special and unique. Avoidant
individuals are shy or reserved in social situations, avoid social and occupational
situations because of fear of embarrassment or humiliation, and seek out
situations that do not include other people. They are preoccupied with
and very sensitive to being criticized or rejected by others and are reluctant
to disclose personal information for fear of disapproval or rejection. They
appear to lack basic interpersonal skills, resulting in few close friendships.
Intimate relationships are avoided because of a general fear of
attachments and intimacy, including sexual intimacy.
Individuals
resembling this type tend to blame themselves or feel responsible for bad
things that happen, and to find little or no pleasure, satisfaction, or
enjoyment in life’s activities. They also tend to be emotionally
inhibited or constricted and have difficulty allowing themselves to acknowledge
or express their wishes, emotions – both positive and negative – and impulses.
Despite high standards, affected individuals may be passive and unassertive
about pursuing personal goals or achieving successes, sometimes leading to
aspirations or achievements below their potential. They are often risk
averse in new situations.
Instructions
A.
Type rating. Rate the patient’s personality
using the 5-point rating scale shown below. Circle the number that best
describes the patient’s personality.
5
= Very Good Match: patient exemplifies this type
4
= Good Match: patient significantly resembles this type
3
= Moderate Match: patient has prominent features of this type
2
= Slight Match: patient has minor features of this type
1
= No Match: description does not apply
B.
Trait ratings. Rate extent to which the
following traits associated with the Avoidant Type are descriptive of the
patient using this four-point scale:
0 =
Very little or not at all descriptive
1
= Mildly descriptive
2
= Moderately descriptive
3
= Extremely descriptive
1. Negative
Emotionality:
Anxiousness
Having
frequent, persistent, and intense feelings of nervousness/tenseness/ being on
edge; worry and nervousness about the negative effects of past unpleasant
experiences and future negative possibilities; feeling fearful and threatened
by uncertainty
2. Negative
Emotionality: Separation insecurity
Having
fears of rejection by, and/or separation from, significant others; feeling
distress when significant others are not present or readily available; active
avoidance of separation from significant others, even at a cost to other areas
of life
3. Negative
Emotionality:
Pessimism
Having a
negative outlook on life; focusing on and accentuating the worst aspects of
current and past experiences or circumstances; expecting the worst outcome
4. Negative
Emotionality: Low self-esteem
Having a
poor opinion of one’s self and abilities; believing that one is worthless or
useless; disliking or being dissatisfied with one’s self; believing that one
cannot do things or do them well
5. Negative
Emotionality: Guilt/
shame
Having
frequent and persistent feelings of guilt/ shame/ blameworthiness, even over
minor matters; believing one deserves punishment for wrongdoing
6.
Introversion: Intimacy avoidance
Disinterest
in and avoidance of close relationships, interpersonal attachments, and
intimate sexual relationships
7. Introversion:
Social withdrawal
Preference
for being alone to being with others; reticence in social situations; avoidance
of social contacts and activity; lack of initiation of social contact
8. Introversion:
Restricted affectivity
Lack of
emotional experience and display; emotional reactions, when evident, are
shallow and transitory; unemotional, even in normally emotionally arousing
situations
9. Introversion:
Anhedonia
Lack of
enjoyment from, engagement in, or energy for life’s experiences; deficit in the
capacity to feel pleasure or take interest in things
10. Introversion: Social
detachment
Indifference
to or disinterest in local and worldly affairs; disinterest in social contacts
and activity; interpersonal distance; having only impersonal relations and
being taciturn with others (e.g., solely goal- or task-oriented interactions)
11. Compulsivity: Risk
aversion
Complete
lack of risk-taking; unwillingness even to consider taking even minimal risks;
avoidance of activities that have even a small potential to cause injury
or harm to oneself; strict adherence to behaviors to minimize health and other
risks
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