Reference no: EM132923643

Avoidant Personality Disorder is part of the fearful and anxious C cluster, and it essentially describes a behavioral pattern in which the client feels socially inadequate and is excessively withdrawn. It consists of seven individual criteria, of which the patient must meet at least four. In some cases, they may be grossly introverted and overly sensitive to slights or criticism, whether actual or perceived. People with Avoidant Personality Disorder tend to require excessive reassurance that they will not be ridiculed or criticized before they can move on with normal social situations. These may include friendships, intimate relationships, family connections, occupational or academic settings, and any social setting where there may be even a minimal risk of rejection or embarrassment (Merck Manual Professional Version, online).

• Avoidant Personality Disorder has similarities to social anxiety disorder which is a factor to consider when making a diagnosis. According to Lampe and Malhi (2018), the severity continuum hypothesis suggests that Avoidant Personality Disorder is in fact a severe form of social anxiety disorder. Nonetheless, Avoidant Personality Disorder has ties to attachment theory related to parenting style, and the patient's own self-concept and temperament that set it aside from Social Anxiety Disorder. As such, the authors suggest Avoidant Personality Disorder should remain its own individual disorder.
• Dependent Personality Disorder may be co-diagnosed with Avoidant Personality Disorder due to the fact that these clients tend to become considerably emotionally attached to those whom they have opened up to and deemed safe and nurturing to be around.

Question 1: Explain the evidenced-based psychotherapy and psychopharmacologic treatment for your assigned personality disorder.