Psychology Roots 278
Avoidant Personality Disorder
a personality disorder characterized by (a) hypersensitivity to rejection and criticism, (b) a desire for uncritical acceptance, (c) social withdrawal in spite of a desire for affection and acceptance, and (d) low self-esteem. This pattern is long-standing and severe enough to cause objective distress and seriously impair the ability to work and maintain relationships. It is included in both DSM–IV–TR and DSM–5. [first defined in 1969 by Theodore Millon]
