The difference between avoidant personality disorder and social anxiety disorder: avoidant and fearful

The core difference between avoidant personality disorder and social anxiety disorder is that the former is a persistent personality pattern, while the latter is a specific situational anxiety response. Avoidant personality disorder is characterized by long-term self denial and social inhibition, while social phobia is an excessive fear of specific social situations. There are significant differences between the two in terms of pathogenesis, behavioral manifestations, and intervention methods. Patients with avoidant personality disorder typically exhibit extreme sensitivity to criticism, social withdrawal, and a sense of inadequacy starting from adolescence. This group of people continues to have a low self-worth perception even when alone, often avoiding all situations that may be evaluated, including career advancement or intimate relationship building. Psychological therapy should focus on long-term personality reconstruction, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy to help correct self-awareness biases, and group therapy to gradually cultivate social confidence. The effectiveness of drug intervention is limited, and antidepressants such as paroxetine and sertraline are only considered for comorbid anxiety and depression symptoms. Patients with social anxiety disorder only experience strong physiological reactions such as palpitations, sweating, or trembling in specific social situations such as public speeches or gatherings with strangers. Fear attacks have situational specificity, and patients often realize that fear is irrational but still cannot control it. Exposure therapy is the preferred treatment option, which reduces sensitivity to fearful scenarios through systematic desensitization. Short term use can be combined with propranolol to alleviate acute symptoms, and benzodiazepines are only for temporary use. Most patients' symptoms can be significantly improved through intervention, but the improvement of avoidant personality disorder requires more long-term efforts.

For individuals facing social difficulties, it is recommended to enhance their adaptability through progressive social training. Starting from low stress scenarios such as online communication, gradually transitioning to real-life interaction. Cultivating at least one interest or hobby that can bring a sense of achievement can help establish self-identity, and regular exercise such as yoga or jogging can regulate emotional stability. If the symptoms continue to affect daily functioning for more than six months, professional evaluation by a psychiatrist or psychotherapist should be sought to clarify the diagnosis and develop personalized intervention plans. Early identification and intervention can effectively improve the prognosis of two types of disorders.