How to Overcome an Avoidant Personality

Avoidant personality disorder should not be confused with avoidant styles of relating to others. On a continuum of avoidant personalities, the avoidant style is at the healthier end of the spectrum while the avoidant personality disorder is at the opposite end. A somewhat avoidant person may have symptoms that interfere, in minor ways, when relating to others. Whereas the full-blown disorder hampers the individual's life on a daily basis. Avoidant personalities are treatable, though, as many people with these traits long for connection with others.

Things You'll Need

• Psychotherapy
• Medication, if prescribed
• Commitment
• Support system

Show More

Instructions

Psychotherapy

• 1

  Consider psychotherapy as your main treatment. According to Psych Central, individual psychotherapy is generally your best option, as it can be difficult for a person with avoidant personality disorder to attend group therapy.

• 2

  Find a sensitive therapist who has worked with patients who have avoidant personalities. You will need a detailed evaluation, and your clinician must be sensitive to your verbal and nonverbal cues during your sessions.

• 3

  Avoid terminating therapy early. People with avoidant personalities long for others, yet have deep issues with connecting. Finding a therapist you can form a trusting rapport with is beneficial to overcoming your disorder and enhancing your life.

• 4

  Terminate therapy on a positive note, when you and your therapist have come to an agreement that it's the right time to do so. Your therapeutic relationship and the way you end it is a model for your future relationships.

Medication and Self-Help

• 5

  Medications can be prescribed for Axis I diagnoses such as anxiety and depression. Explain to your doctor that you want help with specific symptoms that are interfering with your daily functioning.

• 6

  Avoid becoming over-medicated. If you find you are numb, or you're unable to feel or do your work in psychotherapy, talk to your doctor and therapist. Symptoms that are situational should not be medicated away. They must be confronted in therapy.

• 7

  Read books and join online support groups for people with avoidant personalities. Because of the nature of avoidant personality disorder, self-help groups should be used to enhance, not replace, therapy.