What Is The Difference Between Social Anxiety and Avoidant Personality Disorder

March 30, 2010.
They seem very similar to me.

I’m not sure which I have. I don’t mind talking one-on-one with people, but I get "stage fright" with groups of people.
I feel safe and secure with small talk, but I’m afraid of what it will become later on.

While both are similar, they vary in severity. Social Anxiety Disorder is general fear of being around people, while Avoidant Personality Disorder is fear of rejection or humiliation also.

When dealing with either, taking drugs is not a good way to solve your problem. It is only temporary and doesn’t deal with the problem, only suppresses it. When the anxiety returns, you feel as horrible as you did before, maybe even worse.

Doctors constantly try to tell us we’re sick with something and often try to dismiss it by selling you drugs you don’t need to add more money to their wallet.

Don’t automatically diagnose yourself with something, you’ll only make yourself worry more.

Also remember that you’re not the only one stressing out, there are other people out there who may be even more stressed out than you about this subject, you might not even be able to tell!

In this day and age everyone is stressed out, with the media pressuring us all the time about problems in the world, going through school, or even going to work.

Talk to a friend you trust, or a family member, most should understand and try to reassure you. Maybe all you need is someone to tell your worries to, that helps me a lot and sometimes they’ll open up about their stresses and you can reassure them as well.

Sometimes if you fear people or their opinion, just face them head on. You might be surprised when people give you compliments or just want to be around you. If someone says something negative, just brush it off and start again.