Behavioral Science

Personality Disorders 131
How can avoidant personality disorder
and schizoid personality disorder be
differentiated?
What are the symptoms/diagnostic
criteria of avoidant personality
disorder?
What other psychiatric conditions
are often seen in patients with avoidant
personality disorder?
What is the best treatment of avoidant
personality disorder?
How is dependent personality disorder
described?
What are the symptoms/diagnostic
criteria of dependent personality
disorder?
Patients with avoidant personality
disorder want to have interpersonal
relationships but are afraid of rejection;
whereas, schizoid personality disorder
patients do not wish to have
relationships with others.
Four or more of the following:
Avoidance of occupations that involve
interaction with others.
Fear of intimacy/lack of intimate
relationships for fear of ridicule.
Unwilling to be involved with people
unless certain of being liked.
Preoccupation with criticism or
rejection.
Believes they are socially inept and
inferior to others.
Feelings of inadequacy inhibit social
involvement.
Reluctance to become involved in new
activities.
Social phobia, specific phobia, and
agoraphobia
Psychotherapy and assertiveness
training, SSRIs, Beta-Blockers
Patients are passive and may let others
direct their lives and make important
decisions. (Think Bill Murray’s
character in What about Bob?)
Five or more of the following:
Inability to make decisions without
advice
Refusal to assume responsibility
Has difficulty expressing disagreement
Difficulty initiating projects
Need for excessive nurturing and
support
Feelings of discomfort and helplessness
when alone
Persistent need to be in a relationship
Unrealistic fears of being left alone