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Current Psychiatry Reports
Published in: Current Psychiatry Reports 3/2016

01-03-2016 | Personality Disorders (C Schmahl, Section Editor)

Avoidant Personality Disorder: a Current Review

Authors: Anna Weinbrecht, Lars Schulze, Johanna Boettcher, Babette Renneberg

Published in: Current Psychiatry Reports | Issue 3/2016

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Abstract

This review focuses on recent research on diagnostic aspects, etiology, and treatment of avoidant personality disorder (AVPD). Current studies stress the close relation between AVPD and social anxiety disorder, the influence of genetic factors in the development of AVPD, and the relative stability of symptoms. Treatment approaches should target the pervasive patterns of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation. Empirical evidence for cognitive-behavior and schema therapy is promising. Few other therapeutic approaches have been developed, but until now, these have only been investigated in case studies. We conclude that AVPD qualifies as a neglected disorder and that more research specifically on avoidant personality disorder symptoms and its treatment is needed.
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Metadata
Title
Avoidant Personality Disorder: a Current Review
Authors
Anna Weinbrecht
Lars Schulze
Johanna Boettcher
Babette Renneberg
Publication date
01-03-2016
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Psychiatry Reports / Issue 3/2016
Print ISSN: 1523-3812
Electronic ISSN: 1535-1645
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-016-0665-6

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