Ava, a kind and talented 25-year-old, has no friends. She longs for close relationships, but her low self-esteem and fear of rejection keep her from speaking to people. Ava is likely to be diagnosed with _______ personality disorder.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Ava's fear of rejection and low self-esteem are hallmark characteristics of avoidant personality disorder. People with this disorder desperately want close relationships, but their fear of being judged or criticized causes them to avoid social situations and isolate themselves. The lack of close relationships can lead to feelings of loneliness and depression. Antisocial personality disorder is characterized by a disregard for others' rights and feelings, borderline personality disorder involves unstable emotional relationships and a fear of abandonment, and dissociative disorders are characterized by disruptions or gaps in memory, consciousness, identity, or perception. None of these descriptions match Ava's symptoms as closely as those of avoidant personality disorder.

Ava, a Kind and Talented 25-Year-Old, Has No Friends