Booze
Alcohol would have to top the chart for me. This is my first post btw after stumbling upon "Avoidant personality disorder" on the net. I have all the symptoms, but if Im drunk its a complete reverse 180. It's difficult because i'm actually a solicaly savvy funny guy (I honestly don't mean to boast). It's something i somewhat struggle with, i'm not an alcoholic but over the past year have pretty much cut the habit (i used to drink ALOT) but have realized how sadly important it is for my social life. I have a number of close friends, who all seem hold me in higher regards then everybody else, but that's as far as i go, meanwhile they can handle new social interaction with little trouble. Lately I have gotten a lot better though, realizing the important to socialize with as many people i can (which still is very little, but am slowly getting better at it). I think it kinda shocks people (who i see everyday and dont talk to) when they see me as the center of attention making everybody laugh (drunk of course) . Ive been asked before under these situations:
"Why don't you talk more often?"
"Just shy i guess...."