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Avoidant personality disorder VS Autism

Autismman

Someone recently posted a link on another discussion regarding avoidant personality disorder and this got me thinking about myself and my own diagnosis of autism. I am on a quest for clarity and information to help benefit my own situation so my question is how many of you diagnosed with autism can also relate to the symptoms of this particular personality disorder? And if not why so? 


Avoidant personality disorder symptoms 

1.  Avoids occupational activities that involve significant interpersonal contact because of fears of criticism, disapproval, or rejection.

2.  Is unwilling to get involved with people unless certain of being liked.

3.  Shows restraint within intimate relationships because of the fear of being shamed or ridiculed.

4.  Is preoccupied with being criticized or rejected in social situations.

5.  Is inhibited in new interpersonal situations because of feelings of inadequacy.

6.  Views self as socially inept, personally unappealing, or inferior to others.

7.  Is unusually reluctant to take personal risks or to engage in any new activities because they may prove embarrassing

Parents

  • It's perhaps also worth flagging that the latest edition of the ICD diagnostic manual (the ICD-11) has changed its approach in respect of personality disorders.

    It has replaced the old category-based approach (which included names / diagnoses including avoidant personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, etc) with the global name of Personality Disorder, which is instead coupled with descriptors for dimensions and traits. 

    In respect of differential diagnosis for PD and autism, the manual says that, generally, autistics shouldn't also be diagnosed with PD unless they experience significant problems from additional personality features:

    "A number of persistent and enduring mental disorders (e.g., Autism Spectrum Disorder, Schizotypal Disorder, Dysthymic Disorder, Cyclothymic Disorder, Separation Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Dissociative Identity Disorder) are characterized by enduring disturbances in cognition, emotional experience, and behaviour that are maladaptive, manifest across a range of personal and social situations, and that are associated with significant problems in functioning of aspects of the self (e.g., self-esteem, self-direction), and/or interpersonal dysfunction (e.g., ability to develop and maintain close and mutually satisfying relationships, ability to understand others’ perspectives and to manage conflict in relationships).

    Accordingly, individuals with these disorders may also meet the diagnostic requirements for Personality Disorder. Generally, individuals with such disorders should not be given an additional diagnosis of Personality Disorder unless additional personality features are present that contribute to significant problems in functioning of aspects of the self or interpersonal functioning. However, even in the absence of these additional features, there may be specific situations in which an additional diagnosis of Personality Disorder is warranted (e.g., entry into clinically indicated forms of treatment that are connected to a Personality Disorder diagnosis)."

Reply

  • It's perhaps also worth flagging that the latest edition of the ICD diagnostic manual (the ICD-11) has changed its approach in respect of personality disorders.

    It has replaced the old category-based approach (which included names / diagnoses including avoidant personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, etc) with the global name of Personality Disorder, which is instead coupled with descriptors for dimensions and traits. 

    In respect of differential diagnosis for PD and autism, the manual says that, generally, autistics shouldn't also be diagnosed with PD unless they experience significant problems from additional personality features:

    "A number of persistent and enduring mental disorders (e.g., Autism Spectrum Disorder, Schizotypal Disorder, Dysthymic Disorder, Cyclothymic Disorder, Separation Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Dissociative Identity Disorder) are characterized by enduring disturbances in cognition, emotional experience, and behaviour that are maladaptive, manifest across a range of personal and social situations, and that are associated with significant problems in functioning of aspects of the self (e.g., self-esteem, self-direction), and/or interpersonal dysfunction (e.g., ability to develop and maintain close and mutually satisfying relationships, ability to understand others’ perspectives and to manage conflict in relationships).

    Accordingly, individuals with these disorders may also meet the diagnostic requirements for Personality Disorder. Generally, individuals with such disorders should not be given an additional diagnosis of Personality Disorder unless additional personality features are present that contribute to significant problems in functioning of aspects of the self or interpersonal functioning. However, even in the absence of these additional features, there may be specific situations in which an additional diagnosis of Personality Disorder is warranted (e.g., entry into clinically indicated forms of treatment that are connected to a Personality Disorder diagnosis)."

Children
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