Diagnosis of AVPD Clinical criteria (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition [DSM-5]) For a diagnosis of avoidant personality disorder, patients must have A persistent pattern of avoiding social contact, feeling inadequate, and being hypersensitive to criticism and rejection This pattern is shown by the presence of ≥ 4 of the following: Avoidance of job-related activities that involve interpersonal contact because they fear that they will be criticized or rejected or that people will disapprove of them Unwillingness to get involved with people unless they are sure of being liked Reserve in close relationships because they fear ridicule or humiliation Preoccupation with being criticized or rejected in social situations Inhibition in new social situations because they feel inadequate Self-assessment as socially incompetent, unappealing, or inferior to others Reluctance to take personal risks or participate in any new activity because they may be embarrassed Also, symptoms must have begun by early adulthood.