I have all the symptoms of APD?

I

ImNotMyIllness

Well-known member
I think it's best to be evaluated by a doctor. My doctor gave me a referral to see a Psychiatrist. I'm very curious to hear their diagnosis.
 
Remus

Remus

Moderator
Staff member
WishingICould said:
What did you say to your doctor? I wouldn't know what to say.
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I saw my GP and basically just said that I think I'm mentally ill and need to see a psychiatrist for a proper diagnosis, I'd already paid a few visits to A&E with panic attacks and been treated for panic disorder so he agreed. I was open and honest with my GP about everything, the same with the consultant psychiatrist. Don't be afraid to hide anything no matter how weird it may sound.
 
WishingICould

WishingICould

Well-known member
Remus said:
I saw my GP and basically just said that I think I'm mentally ill and need to see a psychiatrist for a proper diagnosis, I'd already paid a few visits to A&E with panic attacks and been treated for panic disorder so he agreed. I was open and honest with my GP about everything, the same with the consultant psychiatrist. Don't be afraid to hide anything no matter how weird it may sound.
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I'm scared they'll lock me up or pump me full of drugs. :confused: I already feel like a disappointment. If i'm diagnosed that means it's real and that i'm mentally ill.
 
Remus

Remus

Moderator
Staff member
They only section you if you are judged a danger to yourself or others. There's even different levels of sectioning, the first tier being voluntary. If you make out you are not all that bad, you wont get the diagnosis or the help your need. My old mate got sectioned for schizophrenia when threatening their landlord with violence, was out after two weeks and on meds that were luckily were working for them. That is the sort of illness they section you for, not so much APD. You should not have much to worry about reguarding that.
 
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Lamb

Lamb

Well-known member
finally revealed: the difference between SA and AVPD - Social Anxiety Forum

found a better link. and yes it's certainly treatable, something you may have to manage throughout your life but you can make a significant improvement.

I went to a therapist first and basically said "Look, i self diagnosed myself. Started out with SA, developed into generalized anxiety and here I am with AvPD. I've been dealing with avoidance and rejection patterns over the course of my life and it's slowly gotten to the point where I am now. Here's why." I told her a bit about my past.

Next stop is seeing a psych at my request because I'd like medication temporarily for anxiety and lack of focus. Medication is optional, you can decline it. And no, you wouldn't get locked up.
 
O

Olly

Member
Lamb said:
The Anxiety Community - Avoidant Personality Disorder vs. Generalized Social Anxiety Disorder

They're very similar, avpd is like a more severe version. I believe there's a couple of threads that ask the same question of mapping out the difference. I'll link you if I can find them.
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A lot of AvPD things sum me up perfectly on there, particularly

"Severe social inhibition and feeling of social inadequacy and inferiority"

This was a big part of the reason I cut contact with my high school friends, as they went to uni and had an amazing time, making loads of friends, going to parties and getting partners, while I was having a horrible time of avoidance, never really made any proper friends and my experience has basically been the exact opposite, so I couldn't bare to see them anymore and hear how inferior my life has become compared to them, so cut contact.

"is preoccupied with being criticized or rejected in social situations"

This is a big one for me, as the problem was when I moved into a student house, I was getting the very ridicule and criticisms that I feared constantly, so I then ended up literally avoiding all contact with the people in my house.

"Appear self-involved and uncaring, but long for affection and fantasize about idealized relationships"

My whole life now I haven't got any friends to talk to is spent fantasizing about an ideal relationship, whether it be romantic or just a close supportive friendship that I've never really had, but the more I avoid social situations, the less likely my fantasies are to come true.
 
N

NeedNewAlphabet

Member
WishingICould said:
I'm scared they'll lock me up or pump me full of drugs. :confused: I already feel like a disappointment. If i'm diagnosed that means it's real and that i'm mentally ill.
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"Mentally ill" is just a phrase. All it really means is that you need help with life's problems that most people aren't qualified to give effectively. That and your insurance has to pay for it.

And nobody gets locked up for AvPD. Besides, if you have it, you're already locked up, in a sense.
 
coyote

coyote

Well-known member
Lamb said:
finally revealed: the difference between SA and AVPD - Social Anxiety Forum
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from the above:

CONCLUSION

Avoidant patients hold deep seated negative beleifs about themselves, others, and unpleasant emotional experiences. these beleifs often stem from childhood interactions with rejecting and critical significant persons. they see themselves as inadequate and worthless, others as critical and rejecting, and dysphoric emotions as overwhelming and intorerable.

socially they avoid situations in which other people could get close and discover the ''real'' them.
behaviourally they avoid tasks that would engender thoughts that make them feel uncomfortable.
cognitively they avoid thinking about matters that produce dysphoria. their tolerance for discomfort is low, and they rely on distractions whenever they begin to feel anxious, sad or bored
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yep, that's me
 
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