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[Reasonableman]

First question: should, in the subject/topic title, the word "in" be capitalized?

Second question: has anyone on these here forums ever stumbled across, or been directly involved in, anything to do with avoidant personality disorder? I have spent far too much time browsing mental disorders on Wikipedia in recent days and found eerie similarities between the criteria-

   1. Avoids occupational activities that involve significant interpersonal contact, because of fears of criticism, disapproval, or rejection
   2. Is unwilling to get involved with people unless certain of being liked
   3. Shows restraint initiating intimate relationships because of the fear of being ashamed, ridiculed, or rejected due to severe low self-worth
   4. Is preoccupied with being criticized or rejected in social situations
   5. Is inhibited in new interpersonal situations because of feelings of inadequacy
   6. Views self as socially inept, personally unappealing, or inferior to others
   7. Is unusually reluctant to take personal risks or to engage in any new activities because they may prove embarrassing

and myself, and think this both odd, and slightly frightening. It has also made me curious if this isn't just a list of feelings that everyone is familiar with, and I am blowing things out of proportion because I'm under rather a lot of stress right now. Mostly, I'm just curious whether you lot of random strangers (to whom I have no serious attachment and therefore no real fear of being alienated from) imagine any of this could be applied to you.

So, any thoughts about it and how it might apply to you before I go pouring all my problems out into the street for you lot to sift through?

[ToonyMan]

Talking in all caps shows wonders in your confidence.

LIKE THIS.

[Sensei]

First answer: Only if it's the first word in the title. 'In the Fortress in Rapehills'

Second: Yeah, I think that could be applied to me and possibly a lot of the internet. On the other hand, it says in effect that people with the disorder are very likely to think they have the disorder. I might add that was does and does not qualify as a disorder is rather inconsistent- some would insist that this is a phenomenon.

At any rate, this IS the forum to pour embarrassing things into the street. Well, except in the Texas thread.

[Gunner-Chan]

What you need to do reasonable, is learn to not give a fuck about anything.

...

ANYTHING.



Life is more enjoyable when you just ride it out without a care.

[Cthulhu]

Unless a doctor says you have a psychological disorder, you don't have it.  There's a reason they say Asperger's is caused by reading the wikipedia entry on Asperger's.

[Sensei]

Don't listen to her. Excluding the small chance you become a Jedi, you'll be this in a year- covering it up. And your eyes.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Also, what Cthulu ninja'd; he said it better than I did. In a word, Placebo.

[Heron TSG]

Hypochondria much?

[ToonyMan]

*HUFF HUFF HUFF*

[Enzo]

Unless a doctor says you have a psychological disorder, you don't have it.  There's a reason they say Asperger's is caused by reading the wikipedia entry on Asperger's.

This. I don't know how old you are, but self diagnosing mental problems is a pretty common passtime for folks aged 13-17. I though I had Avoidant Personality Disorder and Social Anxiety Disorder for at least a year until I realized I was just really awkward :3

[Sensei]

Like I said- I think 'disorder' is just often a poor way of describing (or excusing) awkward/shyness. Or depending on the case, laziness, acting without forethought, etc. Things many teens are guilty of.

[Reasonableman]

That makes sense... but I'm just not terribly keen on writing it off as a valid possibility, because it neatly explains too many behaviors and events stretching back to before I can even remember. I do admit that the idea of me self-diagnosing it is rather... absurd. And it's unlikely I have a full-blown disorder. But these particular traits have to have some common cause, which is what I'm angling for.

[Sensei]

When you say 'disorder' do you mean an incurable birth defect? Or just a psychological 'phenomenon'?

And most importantly, how does either effect your actions?

[Reasonableman]

I rather like the Wikipedia definition:

Personality disorders...are a class of personality types which deviate from the contemporary expectations of a society.[1]

Meaning it doesn't have a defined point of origin; what I'm aiming at is determining the reason I behave this way.

As far as affecting my actions goes... basically every decision I make that brings me into contact with other people, no matter how trivial, is met with an indescribable amount of apprehension, anxiety, fear... I really don't quite know the right word to describe this sort of overbearing dread.

[Enzo]

Alright, I'll just go ahead and say it. I've been on anxiety medication before, and there is no magical panacea for this kind of thing. Don't let me deter you from seeing a doctor about this if it's actively fucking up your entire life, but it's much better to sort problems like this out on your own. Take risks, and realize nobody expects you to be perfect, except people who are assholes.

And if you want to see a shrink, power to you, but those guys freak me out.

[Gunner-Chan]

Exactly, that's why I go with my "Don't give a fuck" strategy.