AVOIDANT PERSONALITY DISORDER

in the DSM-IV-TR, a personality disorder characterized by (a) hypersensitivity to rejection and criticism, (b) a desire for uncritical acceptance, (c) marked social withdrawal in spite of a desire for affection and acceptance, and (d) low self-esteem. This pattern is long-standing, causes distress and seriously impairs the person’s ability to work and maintain relationships. [first defined in 1969 by U.S. psychologist Theodore Millon (1929- )]

 

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