ABSTRACT
An essential feature of avoidant personality disorder (AvPD) is a pervasive pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation (APA, 2000). Millon and Davis (1996) call AvPD the withdrawn pattern. These individuals are oversensitive and hyperreactive to the moods and feelings of others. Individuals with AvPD experience affective disharmony, cognitive interference, and interpersonal distrust. This pattern has been described as being preoccupied with security and strained when associating with people.
