Avoidant Personality Disorder and Meditation

[dig282]

I didn't even know this existed, but I have experienced these problems in the last 11 years, although I find i'm better at shyness but worse at avoiding places and whole towns. I also get major anxiety, panic and essential tremors when in job interviews, hence unemployed 6 years.

[phantomofoaktown]

whats the difference between avd and spd?

[fawnknudsen]

What about the people who are co-morbid and APD is running in the background to various other things, with a primary umbrella diagnosis?

[hollybee43]

I have this. I don't know anything else but this. I wouldn't know what to replace it with. Does that make sense? What do I do? :(

[Felderos]

I think i probably have this disorder, but not to an extreme. And i meditate daily (thats why i clicked the video) and i think the disorder has become part of my personality permenantly because... I meditate all the time. I try to put myself in social situations and im not too nervous or self concsious but i still have feelings of simply not wanting to be in the situation, like a pure dislike for social activity.... maybe im just an asshole lol

[Felderos]

I think i probably have this disorder, but not to an extreme. And i meditate daily (thats why i clicked the video) and i think the disorder has become part of my personality permenantly because... I meditate all the time. I try to put myself in social situations and im not too nervous or self concsious but i still have feelings of simply not wanting to be in the situation, like a pure dislike for social activity.... maybe im just an asshole lol

[dino33ca]

My friend has had good results with Inositol, he suffers from anxiety/depression.

[zthetha]

There's only one way to deal with Avoidant Personality Disorder... avoid it!

[partickell]

great tips on social anxiety tabs; I would like to tell you about a Yoga Meditation called Sahaja Yoga; plz check it out....

[nielsz1972]

Do you mean mindfulness therapy Victoria ?

[nielsz1972]

Which therapy works the best for avoidant PD ? At the moment I follow cognitive behavior therapy.

I also suffer from dependent PD.

[elephantwig]

@nielsz1972 I tried CBT for months and was good, but remember it is very instructional and i believe since i have AVPD that psychotherapy particularly in a group with SRRI may be the best cure to manage a better life. Been fighting AVPD for last 3-4 yrs

[LadyCocoa1234]

The person who said that they have an inability to think abstractly may have high functioning autism or aspergers syndrome which often consists of social impairments and anxiety.

[DaanVT86]

How is this disorder different then regular social anxiety? The things you describe fit perfectly and i don`t understand why they have a seperate diagnosis for it.

[markdc2]

Thanks for making this video. I liked your description on meditation. I need to relax! :D

[Diane9773]

Look into Neurofeedback.

[Silverthunder100]

This has helped me, some. I still suffer greatly from AvPD, but this helped me identify the problem, which I still may never recover from..atleast I know what's wrong with my mind.

[CrystallicA]

i think you are amazing. unlike the doctors, and psychotherapists/psychiatrists­, you are actually trying to help these people overcome this in the most real way. thank you in an incredible way for actually caring about helping.

[TheDistilledMan]

At last I've found a description that fits me! I have been battling exactly this for years, years. You have another subscriber.

[Arnold34251]

this was a good video and your personality makes you very very attractive

[BuRninsh]

APD is cool disorder, its way to say to society ''f*ck you im not playing your games'' Im not shy i just dont give a flying f*ck about people, because they will always betray you....always

[BlakOktobure]

@BuRninsh Not like that at all. It's not cool, it's debilitating, it's terrible. Absolutely terrible.

[BuRninsh]

@BlakOktobure Its not like you have a disorder society does. Its mainly consists of pricks and egoistical morons you just pre-emptively protecting yourself against bullshit. 98% of population are sociopaths. So why the fuck bother talking to them in the first place, complete waste of time. All they do is talk shit behind you're back and criticize you and im hypersensitive to that. So my cure is being a moron just like them, gotta say a lot to fuck off, and leave me alone.

[PonderingPothead]

I'm not a professional, but from the letter, I wonder if he was properly diagnosed. An engineer, who has trouble imagining things that are not logical... That sounds like Aspergers's to me. People with Aspergers have social difficulty's also. Maybe he would do better with someone who is experienced with the Autism spectrum. I know this video is kind of old, but .. just saying.

[Stolichnaya9]

i just wish everyone to leave me alone

yeah im very sensetive i feel dead when somebody hurt me i can't deal with it

in few hours im going to social event , its like the worst day this year

im dead :( i can't do it

[herbal1971]

The doctor in that letter sounds an idiot. Firstly he recommends meditation (that's great) then the client doesn't take to it so the doctor has no other ideas and asks the patient to leave! Good grief.

By the way, don't take 5-htp and anti-depressants at the same time. That's what I've read.

[elephantwig]

AVPD will destroy ones life totally! What steps have you sufferers taken, l'd like to know since i hav been diagnosed with this.

[Disconn3cted]

When you say to take inositol, fish oil, and 5 htp, do you mean we should take them all, or just take one? If you don't want us to take them all, would it be safe to take inositol and 5 htp at the same time?

[undeadfrak]

this discribes me disturbingly so.

[foraminutethere23]

I think I have this. I'd looked at Avoidant Personality Disorder on wikipedia but I told myself I was only progressing to this. But hearing you explain it just makes me realize I'm in denial . It still kinda bugs me, cuz I can make friends ok enough but I can't keep them. And I don't let anyone get close. And then when I do. I avoid them. even though I regret it later.

[DeraJa]

part 1

I think I might have this. I am a 22 year old college student, live at home, have no friends, and not much of a social life. When I am doing anything social it is usually involves flag football or some other sport with my brother. At the same time I don't feel like I have that big of an issue with anxiety. But on reflection this might simply be because I have stopped caring, and accepted my isolated life.

cont..

[DeraJa]

@DeraJa

part 2

I do believe I was a lot more anxious in my first two years of college when I lived in the dorms. I was more socially active, but by the end of my second year I felt just as socially isolated as I was throughout high school.  After that I switched schools, and have lived at my parents house the whole time. It often seems so strange to me when I consider how isolated I am, because I can't think of any good reason why I should be this isolated, but I still am.

[KautiousKat]

What do you do to get help for this disorder?

I've been thinking that I have it. I'm applying for university and since I don't get to know people very easily... I just want to become a whole person. It's not that I don't like people, but...

[ModestButGreat]

Meditation is the best thing in the world.

[clickswitchh]

APD is not a disorder its social anxiety disorder in an extreme way nontheless

[elephantwig]

@clickswitchh AVPD is a disorder for your information. Do you actually know what a disorder is. Look up the definition first. When a condition inhibits an individual from doing day to day activities, then it becomes a disorder...ok. APD is EXTREMELY INHIBITING hence most will avoid in the very first instance and is very rare too. I believe you have just learnt something valuable.

[elephantwig]

If curing involves socialising since we sufferers long for it...sad i know. How would one go about it. Clubs, courses, meets gets you to meet others but not socialise, since making friends is such a long process.

[RyanFresh]

@elephantwig It is, and because that is why we need psychotherapy and group therapy and CBT on a daily basis while being on te process of making friends. I went through all that and even if I'M BETTER.

[elephantwig]

@RyanFresh WOw fantastic. However i had tried it all yet  had nothing to look forward to on weekends or evenings. Yes therapy can change your belief system but making friends isnt a skill - it will just happen when another person takes a liking for whatever reason. Hence why nursery kids have great times. Ryan are you actually in London? Most ppl in London(7 million ppl) have already their close network of mates however small are are known to be reluctant to open and expand, read the papers....

[1Delu]

That was so helpful. thank you

[Painnnnful]

I really loved your video and presentation, you really have a strong charisma in the way you are presenting things :)

[IwontConform]

Thank you victoria,for giving hope to me and others with avpd.I was close to suicide back in april,but i`m doing much better now.

[clossons]

I'm interested in the supplements for avoidant personality disorder. You mentioned inositol , fish oil and 5HTP. Are there any others you could mention?

[paperoverflow]

Hi! I want to understand why there is name for a mental disorder, which is quite natural as "avoidant personality disorder". It sounds like hell and it scares the shit out of people! The whole psychological language is quite retarded and powerful, in the way it can make people feel worried. This is all business, they gain your trust by scaring you and making you more self-conscious. Mediation is about letting go/ accept/ let flow/ not grasp your thoughts and your whole being, not about imagining

[LittleMissAdventia]

Hi Victoria,

I have Borderline Personality Disorder, and for the last year and a half have suffered miserably. I want to stop my meds and start inositol. Would you recommend this for one of your patients?

Would love to hear your insight. Many thanks!

[ClockworkSublime]

Looking forward to any new videos on social anxiety and avoidant personality disorder. A lot of people are in the dark about it and any new information on it would help a lot. Much respect and thanks.

[nephthysuk]

I have been to meditation classes at the local Buddhist centre and they never asked to imagine shapes. We learnt the mindfullness (breathing and body awareness) meditation and the metabhavana (loving kindness) meditation.

[CleverDjembe]

Mindfulness meditations works for anyone. Anyone. Period.

[y00n1x]

I strongly suspect I have this although I have never been diagnosed but what do you think about an avoidant or schizoid person being overly critical of ohers? I greatly fear criticism and I think as a way to get back at people, I take this out on others...does that make sense? This is the only aspect of my personality that is not really mentioned in the SPD diagnosis. Also what do you think about a schizoid or avoidant (some days I feel like one or the other) doing counseling / psychotherapy?

[Tearjerker88]

@y00n1x can I feel free to give an answer to some of your questions?I'm a student preparing for an exam. :) The problem with personality disorders is this: imagine all of them laid out before you,smudged with a finger and kind of intertwined.They are often not so precisely delineated from one another.Schizoids are often seen as indifferent to criticism, whereas avoidants really fear rejection and therefore avoid social interactions.Also,borderlines are known to react explosively to criticism.

[greenelf12]

It's funny because to me meditation is practical, it's all on point of veiw I guess. Also somtimes "abstract" images arn't always that abstract because it;'s your subcounsiuos trying to comunicate with your consious using imagry.

[ssips720]

you know... every time i rewatch your videos..

i find something new i didnt really hear before.

i suppose you are right..

its all about balancing your neuro pathways.

meditation is also hard for me.. but i will try just slowing the breath and getting use to a calm but active mindset.

challenging the over activity i guess

[guydecervens]

"The therapist got angry". Lol, sounds like it was the therapist who needed to meditate.

[capricious71]

Really good video. I used to have this disorder quite badly. I still isolate myself but I kind of enjoy solitude. I'm mostly pretty sociable these days.

Meditation is amazing. Even taking a second or two to close the eyes and focus on the breath several times a day is beneficial. I'm very interested in mindfulness meditation.

[alouette888]

That's really kind of you to spend some free time doing this (i didn't watch the others yet :) ) video for everyone in need of informations.

I personnality recommend reiki first before trying too hard on meditation. Reiki helps to get rid of obsessive thoughts like "i am so useless I am enable to meditate" witch can make yourself terrible and want you to avoid relaxation and mediation

[sunshinepolicy]

you're a good egg, victoria!

[theorganichispanic]

Victoria, what happens to the mind when a person goes off anti-depressants quickly?

[askvictoria]

The brain can react strongly. One example is a perfectly sane client of mine who suffers from depression went off her antidepressant cold turkey due to a flu ( she slept for 5 days and forgot) She became very psychotic and manic and had to be hospitalized. It was not pretty. Going off the meds needs to be very gradual for an easier transition.

[jessicakennon]

Hi, I was wondering if those vitamins and supplements you mentioned are easily found at stores like GNC or even local grocery store or pharmacies?I know where I can find fish oil, but I'm not too sure about the others.

By the way, great video, very informative.:o]

[Trying2HelpUs]

Yeah they are. But you can try online as well.

[kevvie100]

@askvictoria - I can vouch for the antidepressants thing. I'm trying to come off them now and it's hell. On top of that it looks like I have AvPD so it's all quite depressing. I do my best to get through each day but it's hard.

[flintp51]

I've heard some commit suicide. Depends on the

drug. Don't if you haven't already/

[yoguey]

thanks Victoria.

I started meditating a few month ago - I skip a lot of days, but it has really helped me with the worrisome thoughts

[jessLUVSdave]

A good friend of mine has this disorder and I also struggle with extreme anxiety. I never thought of meditation as a way to lessen some of the behaviors that go along with it. I'm definitely going to try it out and I believe that meditation will help my friend and me. Thank you for posting this vid :)

[jitterbuggogoboy]

My mom's friend has called me a work in progress before, but she doesn't really know that I have this personality disorder.

Spooky...

[flintp51]

Figure of speech. I don't think she meant anything by it. Maybe she meant that you had potential. Take it positively.

[greenelf12]

we are all a work in progress ;o)