Avoidant personality disorder treatment

Struggling with avoidant personality disorder (AvPD) can feel isolating and overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone.

At Priory, we provide specialist, evidence-based treatment to help you reduce symptoms, rebuild confidence, and create meaningful connections with others.

What is avoidant personality disorder?

Avoidant personality disorder, sometimes called anxious personality disorder, is a condition where people experience deep fears of rejection, criticism and embarrassment. This often leads to avoiding social situations, relationships, or opportunities where they may feel vulnerable.

Although avoidance may feel safer in the short term, it can limit your ability to live a fulfilling life and may contribute to other mental health difficulties such as anxiety or depression. Effective treatment can help you break this cycle and regain control.

Signs and symptoms of avoidant personality disorder

AvPD affects everyone differently, but some common symptoms include:

• Avoiding social situations or contact with others
• Intense fear of being criticised, ridiculed or rejected
• Feeling inferior, shy or inhibited around people
• Worrying that you might cry, blush or make a mistake in public
• Avoiding trying new activities for fear of embarrassment
• Finding it difficult to form or maintain friendships

Left untreated, AvPD can worsen over time, increasing feelings of loneliness and making everyday life more difficult.

When to seek treatment

You may benefit from professional support if your symptoms:

• Prevent you from working, studying or maintaining relationships
• Cause you to avoid people or situations you would normally enjoy
• Lead to ongoing distress, low self-esteem or other mental health concerns

It’s important to remember that AvPD is not your fault, but a condition that can be treated with the right intervention. Seeking help is a positive step forward and can make a significant difference to your wellbeing.

Treatment for avoidant personality disorder At Priory

At Priory, we follow NICE-approved guidelines to deliver tailored treatment programmes. These are designed to address both the emotional challenges and practical difficulties that come with AvPD.

Types of treatment programmes

• Inpatient treatment: a residential stay in one of our hospitals, offering intensive, 24-hour support
• Outpatient treatment: regular, hour-long therapy sessions while you live at home
• Day care programmes: structured half- or full-day sessions each week, which may be especially helpful after inpatient care

Effective therapies for AvPD

• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT): helps you challenge negative thought patterns and learn healthier coping strategies
• Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT): focuses on managing intense emotions and improving relationships through skills such as mindfulness and distress tolerance

Medication

While there is no specific medication for AvPD, you may be prescribed medication to support with co-occurring conditions such as depression or anxiety, if appropriate.

Why choose Priory?

• Expert-led care: delivered by psychiatrists, psychologists and therapists with experience in personality disorders
• Tailored programmes: designed around your individual needs and goals
• Flexible treatment options: available across the UK, with outpatient, day care and inpatient programmes
• Supportive environment: a safe space where you can build self-esteem and work towards long-term recovery

Start your recovery today

If you think you, or someone you love, may be struggling with avoidant personality disorder, reaching out for support is the first step towards change. At Priory, we’re here to help you build confidence, reconnect with others, and move forward towards a more fulfilling life.

Get in touch with us today for a private mental health assessment to begin your recovery journey.