What is a key characteristic of Avoidant Personality Disorder?

A key characteristic of Avoidant Personality Disorder is social inhibition and feelings of inadequacy. Individuals with this disorder often experience intense anxiety in social settings, which leads to avoidance of social interactions. They may perceive themselves as inferior or unappealing, contributing to feelings of inadequacy. This self-perception reinforces their avoidance behaviors, as they fear negative evaluation or rejection from others. As such, their tendency to withdraw from social situations is a core feature of the disorder, emphasizing the significant distress they feel regarding their social interactions.

In contrast, traits like excessive optimism, overconfidence in social situations, and high levels of assertiveness are generally not associated with Avoidant Personality Disorder; rather, they reflect opposite tendencies, such as positive self-regard and comfort in social contexts, which are incongruent with the experiences of those who have this disorder.