Avoidant Personality Disorder
The symptoms of avoidant personality disorder are similar to social phobia except that in the personality disorder the avoidance is present in all social situations. Social phobia symptoms are usually more specific such as speaking or eating in public. Attorneys need to be aware when communicating with individuals who have avoidant personality traits that they are hypersensitive to criticism and feel inferior.
They may experience paranoid feeling or intense anger under stress. They avoid social interaction because of fear of rejection. They are not risk takers.
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
This personality disorder can be confused with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Obsessions and compulsions are not present in the personality disorder (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Individuals with obsessive compulsive personality disorder are preoccupied with order, perfectionism and control. These individuals follow rules to the point of being inflexible and unable to adapt to change. They may become preoccupied with detail at the expense of efficiency. They try to control others and their environment. Attorneys will find that these clients value formality and politeness. They may be rigid and stubbornly insist that they are right.
For our newsletter and blog this month we are reviewing Cluster B & C type Personality Disorders. The blog topics for this month are:
- Personality Disorders: Defining “Cluster B” (9/4/15)
- Cluster B: Borderline, Histrionic and Narcissistic (9/11/15)
- Personality Disorders: Defining “Cluster C” (9/18/15)
- Cluster C: Avoidant and Obsessive Compulsive (9/25/15)
Note: To see all posts in this topic, including last month’s Cluster A topics, click here
