surviving Avoidance Personality Disorder

[noillusions]

I live with avoidance personality disorder. I would like to hear from anyone who is surviving this. I'm trying to just keep a good thought in my head,every day is a real challenge somtimes. maybe here i can at last meet/talk to to others who are trying to live a better life under these situations. noillusions

noillusions/anybody else surviving APD?(Avoidance Personality Disorder)

[avpdman361_PREV (deleted)]

I have it too. It is tough. I managed to get a job where I work around a lot of people. Somehow I have been able to stick with it. I don't have any really close friends though.

[tenor]

I guess I have it too. I definitely have social anxiety issues and I spend most of my days at work avoiding everybody. I have a job where I deal with the public but in a differnt way. Im a limo driver. I basically deal with one or two people at a time and then I never or very rarely, ever see the same people again in my car. Around people who I have to see everyday I always feel Im being judged or watched and I try to stay out of the limelight. I hate being the center of attention. I only go into the office at times when most people arent there, usually during third shift. I'll get my paperwork then leave. I have a few acquaintances there but no one Id call a true friend who I would pick up the phone and call often. Usually one of them calls me every couple of weeks to see if Im still with the company because they havnet seen me around.

My problem is I only avoid people I know either as co-workers and casual acquaintences or those I dont know but have to be around for a long period of time where I just cant walk away, like on a group trip or a cruise. Im generally ok around most of my family or a small group of people I will only be associated with for a brief moment. I actually become quite sociable.

[alexian]

Wow there are others

I too am much like both of you. I dont like meeting new people and have an extremely hard time doing so. Its rather paradoxical, feeling lonely on one-hand and yet avoiding contact with people as much as possible on the other. Those I know well, who have proven themselves trustworthly and non-judgmental I can open up to, relate to and be myself but anyone new at all and the wall goes up.

I too spend my days at work trying to avoid people which is impossible. I try to focus on my work and keep negative thoughts out and yet anytime I speak with someone they seem to pass on their own negativity to me which causes more frustration.

Ive been hoping that oneday I would grow out of it but as time goes on it just seems to get worse. Its like everytime I try to take a step forward I fall ten steps back.

[exene (deleted)]

Hello... I think I might have this condition too, but I am not too worried about it. When I am around people, esp. in 'social situations', I often feel like I'm in a pressure cooker and I just want to get out. I really am uncomfortable with social situations and I do all I can to avoid them.

[nov1509]

` I have it too.

[navrark (deleted)]

Well, I am not certain what Avoidance Personality Disorder involves exactly, what the scientific definition of it may be, but it sounds like me.

At work I was always friendly with everyone, but anytime anyone would want to take that friendship outside of the work environment, I wouldn't let them. I suppose they were acquaintances and that's as far as I allowed it. Occasionally I may have gone out with them once or twice, but then I would revert to my anti-social ways once again and avoid them like the plague.

All my life I suppose I have hungered to be close to other people but am afraid to do so. I suppose that may be an affect of adoption. Being close to your Mother in her womb and then suddenly being torn away from her must leave a baby a complete mess.

[nov1509]

`Yep . Sounds like you have it too.


How old were you when you were seperated from your parents ?

[navrark (deleted)]

nov1509 wrote: `Yep . Sounds like you have it too.


How old were you when you were seperated from your parents ?



I was just a baby, but there is plenty of books about it that show that even separation at infancy causes life long issues. I used to have a book called the Primal Wound.

Where are your parents now?

[taciturngirl (deleted)]

`This sounds all too familiar. Is treatment available?
I'd like to go to a GP, but I'm too shy. Go figure.

[avoidantandshy]

I am surviving AVPD... I do this by staying inside my castle and making sure no one comes near. It is not a lifestyle I would recommend but on the other hand, I'm 41 and still alive.

I am trying to step outside my comfort zone a little bit by dating but no luck so far.