Avoidant Personality | Personality Couch

Ep 48: The 4 Attachment Styles & Avoidant Personality

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 02:00:01 +0000

In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) unpack attachment and its relationship with avoidant personality disorder. We explore the four main attachment styles: secure, anxious, avoidant, and disorganized, discussing how these styles manifest in adult relationships. We highlight the nuances of avoidant personality disorder, suggesting that individuals may present as avoidantly attached but have underlying anxious tendencies. We end by discussing some interesting research on adult attachment and coregulation with a partner, suggesting that attachment is fluid and can change depending on the relationship homeostasis.

In need of psychodynamic therapy or a psychological evaluation? OR are you a provider stuck on a tricky case? To schedule with us, please visit the practice website and fill out the inquiry form! https://www.questpsych.org. Clinicians use the email listed on the website.

Are Avoidant Personalities Avoidantly Attached?

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 02:00:00 +0000

One thing that has really stuck out to me when researching Avoidant Personality Disorder is that it overlaps with two opposite personalities: schizoid (social isolation, introversion, difficulty with intimacy) AND dependent (feeling inadequate, needing reassurance and closeness, hypersensitive to criticism)¹. Schizoids detach from people, and dependents attach to people…so how do avoidant personalities overlap with both?! This can be investigated from the lens of attachment theory. When we think about how avoidant personalities are attached, we obviously believe they are avoidantly attached… Avoidant Personality = Avoidant Attachment…right? ❌WRONG! …But first, let’s talk about what attachment actually is.

What is Attachment? ²

Attachment is the bond between a primary figure and an infant that influences the infant’s internal working model, which is basically a map of how the self and others are viewed. The classic model of attachment stems from the strange situation experiment, which resulted in three categories of attachment: secure, anxious, and avoidant, the latter two being insecure attachments. Later, attachment theory was applied to adults, with a special caveat that adult attachment is reciprocal caregiving and can change/co-regulate depending on attachment behaviors such as perceived support, accessibility, responsiveness, and engagement.

The Four Attachment Styles ²

More recent research determined that attachment is not categorical, but is made up of two factors: anxiety and avoidance, in which you can be high or low on either. This dimensional model results in four quadrants: secure, anxious (preoccupied), avoidant (dismissive), and disorganized (fearful)…but also these categories have been called so many different names!

Secure Attachment…⬇️avoidance, ⬇️anxiety

Securely attached infants were distressed by separation from their mothers and could receive comfort when she returned. In adulthood, there is low avoidance and anxiety, resulting in a positive view of the self and positive view of others, which means they are confident in themselves and in their partner’s availability and responsiveness. Secure attachment is related to positive adjustment outcomes, such as relationship quality and relationship satisfaction. They are comfortable with intimacy and interdependence. They are more adept at regulating their distress and regaining emotional well-being, and when needed, they’re able to do so by relying on partners for comfort and support.

Anxious (Preoccupied) Attachment…⬇️avoidance, ⬆️anxiety

Anxiously attached infants were distressed by separation and could not be comforted when the mother returned. They had inconsistent or mixed support and care in childhood, resulting in high desire for closeness and acceptance. In adulthood, there is low avoidance and high anxiety, leading to a negative view of the self and positive view of others. They really struggle with dependence and fear of abandonment, needing to move toward their partner. They tend to have persistent worries about their partner’s availability, commitment, support, and responsiveness, fearing abandonment and rejection, especially when faced with threat or in times of need. This results in a high sensitivity to rejection cues. Research tells us the following examples of anxious attachment behavior: drawing attention to their distress; expressing heightened distress; continually seeking closeness/proximity; pulling for excessive closeness, comfort, and care; excessive demands for reassurance from partners; and being overly sensitive to potential cues that would threaten the relationship.

Avoidant (Dismissive) Attachment…⬆️avoidance, ⬇️anxiety

Avoidantly attached infants were not distressed upon separation and avoided the mother when she returned. They were rejected and/or dismissed in childhood, resulting in core schemas that others cannot be trusted or relied upon. In adulthood, avoidant attachment is high in avoidance and low in anxiety, resulting in a positive view of the self and negative view of others. They really struggle with withdrawal and fear of intimacy, moving away from their partner. They tend to have discomfort with closeness and dependency, preferring emotional distance and self-reliance. This leads to withdrawal behaviors such as minimizing distress, averting attention away from threats, overly relying on self, limiting negative appraisals of the self, being defensive, distancing from others, denying the importance of intimacy, and suppressing vulnerability and weakness.

Disorganized (Fearful, Fearful-Avoidant, Anxious-Avoidant) Attachment…⬆️avoidance, ⬆️anxiety

Disorganized attachment style was a new addition to the classic model, as some children were just coded as “unclassifiable.” Infants did not have a coherent way of interacting with their mother during stressful times, exhibiting confusion, fear, and approach-withdrawal behaviors. Disorganized attachment in adulthood consists of both high avoidance and anxiety, resulting in a negative view of both the self and others. There can be a push-pull dynamic where there’s movement toward and away from their partner, depending on the situation. They experience conflicting desires between wanting closeness and fearing it, so their behavior becomes contradictory…hence, disorganized.

What Does the Research Say About Avoidant Personality and Attachment?

Overall, personality disorders are breakdowns in attachment involving intense difficulties relating to the self and others. Personality disorders are correlated with insecure attachment, but specific attachment is not predictive of individual personality disorders. According to the DSM-5-TR, those with avoidant personality disorder have insecure attachments: wanting closeness and emotional attachment, but fearing closeness because others might reject or hurt them. Then, they respond with fear, anger, or passivity³. Interestingly, those with avoidant personalities fear abandonment and experience separation frustration⁴. Research indicates avoidant personality disorder is usually associated with “preoccupied” (anxious) or “fearful” (disorganized) attachment³ ⁴. However, it has been proposed that those with avoidant personality disorder might have an avoidant attachment shell with an anxious attachment core, making it possible they test as avoidant (or disorganized), but are actually anxiously attached⁴.

Early Childhood and Avoidant Personality Disorder ¹ ⁵

Those with avoidant personality disorder are more likely to remember their parents as rejecting, guilt-engendering, less affectionate, overprotective, and less encouraging of achievement. They also have a higher likelihood of childhood traumas, parental divorce, parental neglect, and “early maladaptive strategies,” but not as much sexual abuse or physical neglect - so more emotional and psychological stuff. There was also an association with “Onlooking Behaviors” where the kiddo observes others and wants to engage, but is too anxious to try to join¹.

Photo by Sebastiaan Stam

🚨Spoiler alert: Antisocial personality is up next, so I found a bit about attachment and antisocial personality disorder. Some research noted antisocial personality disorder trends toward avoidant attachment⁶, but some found anxious attachment too⁷. There’s also talk of antisocial personality disorder being a disorder of attachment!⁷ ⁶ One more nerdy nugget: McWilliams⁸ highlights that those with antisocial personalities don’t attach to a primary figure, but rather have a failure in attachment and perhaps might identify with an archetypal idea.

Attachment is complex! Let us know your experiences on YouTube or contact us here! If you want to dive into your own attachment or the attachment dynamics of someone in your life, therapy and/or psychological testing can help! If you’re in Virginia (or a PsyPact state), check out our private practice, Quest Psychological and Counseling Services for available services. If you’re a provider stuck on a case, we also offer consultations for mental health professionals!

References

Lampe, L., & Malhi, G. (2018). Avoidant personality disorder: Current insights. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, Volume 11, 55–66. https://doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S121073 ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Fisher, C. (2018). Attachment and God image (Publication No. 10978640) [Doctoral dissertation, Regent University]. Proquest Dissertations & Theses. ↩︎ ↩︎
American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5-TR (5th edition, text revision.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787 ↩︎ ↩︎
Eikenæs, I., Pedersen, G., & Wilberg, T. (2016). Attachment styles in patients with avoidant personality disorder compared with social phobia. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 89(3), 245–260. https://doi.org/10.1111/papt.12075 ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Zhou, N. (2024). Avoidant Personality Disorder: A Review of Features, Performances, and Treatments. SHS Web of Conferences, 193, 03001. https://doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/202419303001 ↩︎
McGauley, G., Yakeley, J., Williams, A., & Bateman, A. (2011). Attachment, mentalization and antisocial personality disorder: The possible contribution of mentalization-based treatment. European Journal of Psychotherapy & Counselling, 13(4), 371-393. https://doi.org/10.1080/13642537.2011.629118 ↩︎ ↩︎
Beeney, J. E., Stepp, S. D., Hallquist, M. N., Scott, L. N., Wright, A. G. C., Ellison, W. D., Nolf, K. A., & Pilkonis, P. A. (2015). Attachment and social cognition in borderline personality disorder: Specificity in relation to antisocial and avoidant personality disorders. Personality Disorders: Theory, Research, and Treatment, 6(3), 207–215. https://doi.org/10.1037/per0000110 ↩︎ ↩︎
McWilliams, N. (2011). Psychoanalytic diagnosis: Understanding personality structure in the clinical process (2nd ed.). Guilford Press. ↩︎

Ep 47: Avoidant Personality | The 6 Subtypes

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 02:00:01 +0000

In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) dive into Avoidant Personality Disorder, exploring Dr. Theodore Millon’s six subtypes. We discuss a few interesting historical names before jumping into the characteristics of mild (Anxiously & Imaginatively shy); moderate (Hypersensitively & Phobicly Reticent); and severe (Conflicted & Self-Deserting) subtypes. Our conversation also critiques Millon’s work, questioning the distinctiveness of avoidant traits compared to other personality disorders, and we invite listeners/viewers to share their thoughts and opinions.

Avoidant Personality Subtypes (Millon)

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 02:00:00 +0000

Avoidant personality disorder is one of the most recent personality disorders in the DSM, appearing with several others in the DSM-III in 1980 when schizoid personality disorder was separated into schizoid, avoidant, and schizotypal personality disorders. Notably, avoidant personality’s history is the shortest, only showing up in 1969 by Millon¹ ². Millon had some interesting takes on this personality, so let’s see what he had to say about its subtypes.

Shy Personality: Mild - Normal Level¹ ²

Millon categorized his personality subtypes by severity, with mild being more “healthy” and severe being more “unhealthy” or at a clinical/disordered level. At the mild level, individuals won’t likely show up for treatment, but they still struggle with low self-esteem, feeling uneasy in social situations, and hypersensitivity regarding (potential) criticism, rejection, and embarrassment. However, when they are in safe settings and feel socially secure, they can function well. So, let’s start with Millon’s less problematic (or dare I say more “normal”) subtypes of avoidant personality, which he simply labeled as Shy: The “Anxious” subtype and the “Imaginative” subtype.

Anxious¹ ²

The Anxiously Shy subtype tends to be sluggish, inefficient, passive, private, and sensitive to rejection, with feelings of inadequacy, low confidence, and self-devaluation. On the inside, they are tense and fearful, but can look gentle, calm, and put together on the outside. They can actually have a lot of difficulty finishing what they started because of self-criticism and fear of external negative evaluation. They reject and avoid their emotions, escaping into their head and mind to handle things through self-knowledge and self-revelation…but they usually can’t find that peace due to chronic pain and anguish about existence, reinforcing their withdrawal into the self. Socially, they are conflicted because they do want to be recognized and appreciated, but don’t want to be seen or the center of attention. Thus, they avoid social situations, especially conflict and confrontation. Given the right person, they might let their guard down and express themselves, but otherwise, they can fade into the background and disconnect from the world.

Imaginative¹ ²

The Imaginatively Shy subtype tends to be apathetic, distrustful of others, passive, self-sacrificing, and non-competitive with low self-esteem. They are socially hesitant and like to avoid social interaction, unless they can find a safer niche where there is stable security and social peace. They tend to believe that relationships are ingenuine and don’t last, so they depend only on the self and suppress their concern for other’s wellbeing. They don’t take initiative to have a better life, but they do fantasize about it! They hold their fantasies close, and in their fantasies, they can become fairly rigid, getting bogged down in rules, procedures, and moral correctness. They lack the energy to make any world changes that they think about, but they can control their environment, being meticulous and imposing structure. According to Millon, the Imaginatively Shy subtype doesn’t have a clear overlap with any other personalities. However, I personally see a flavor of schizoid with the tendency toward fantasy, daydreaming, and imagination as an escape from difficult reality, as well as an overlap with compulsive or phobic personalities with their anxious rigidity.

Reticent Personality: Moderate - Problematic Level¹ ²

Individuals at the mild level can slip into the moderate level due to isolation and fewer opportunities for personal growth. The moderate subtypes are at an abnormal level but not necessarily in clinically disordered territory. They can still function, but definitely run into hardships. It’s not yet avoidant personality disorder, so Millon named this level “Reticent,” and he highlighted two subtypes called “Hypersensitive” and “Phobic.”

Hypersensitive (Paranoid Features)¹ ²

The Hypersensitively Reticent subtype overlaps with paranoid features, being high strung, prickly, tense, bitter, suspicious, and hypervigilant to potential rejection or abuse. They have a superantennae that constantly scans their surroundings to pick up on where potential danger might be. They try to squish down their anger and suppress it, but it doesn’t work well. They can also be quite moody and unpredictable with rapidly shifting emotions due to pent up resentment. They expect rejection, but will have different feelings about it at different times…sometimes sadness, sometimes passivity, sometimes anger outbursts. This quote from Millon really stuck out to me. A hypersensitive reticent is apt to “make the molehill of a minor and passing slight into a mountain of personal ridicule and condemnation” (Millon, 2011, p. 731).

Phobic (Dependent Features)¹ ²

The Phobicly Reticent subtype overlaps with dependent features. They have persistent generalized anxiety that they cannot escape. They have an intense desire for closeness, but also deep distrust and fear of loss…though, they would never express their fear of loss, being scared to speak it into existence. Instead, they unconsciously displace and redirect their anxieties onto something more tolerable, tangible, and safer, called a “phobic object,” which allows them to avoid dealing directly with their actual fears. It gives a sense of control and is oftentimes symbolic. For example, instead of focusing on their fear of intimacy with a romantic partner, they fear the intrusive dog next door that comes into their yard; or instead of facing their fear of being close to others in a confined space, they are scared of elevators. Unsurprisingly, they are also prone to social phobia because they fear rejection and humiliation.

Avoidant Personality: Severe - Disorder Level¹ ²

The severe level is where the actual DSM avoidant personality disorder shows up. Millon parses this level out following more active and passive presentations. They fear humiliation and rejection so much that they intentionally isolate and disengage to protect themselves and tend to their wounds. Millon differentiates between “Conflicted” Avoidants and “Self-Deserting” Avoidants.

Conflicted (Negativistic Features)¹ ²

The Conflicted Avoidant subtype is a more active presentation that showcases negativistic features, being grumpy, moody, anxious, and dysphoric, as well as feeling misunderstood, not appreciated, and demeaned. There is an intense conflict between wanting to be detached and being fearful of independence. They want attachment, closeness, acceptance, and affection, but foresee a ton of disappointment and pain, which is paired with very low self-esteem. If they try to be independent, they fear failure that would lead to humiliation; but if they have to rely on others, there is very deep resentment and sometimes lashing out. They attempt to suppress their anger, but it leads to impulsive hostility. Then they feel humiliated for their outbursts, resulting in withdrawal. So, the conflict remains: They can’t act alone because of self-doubt, but can’t rely on others because of mistrust. Sometimes when they’re not stressed, they are in denial of previous resentments and present the self as well, but this false veneer cracks easily under pressure.

Self-Deserting (Melancholic and Schizotypal Features)¹ ²

The Self-Deserting Avoidant subtype is a more passive presentation that overlaps with melancholic and schizotypal features. They withdraw into the self to avoid any discomfort regarding relating to others. They usually start with fantasy coping skills, but find that fantasy isn’t enough…it just highlights their misery, pain, and anguish. So they succeed in avoiding social exposure and humiliation, but can’t escape their inner torment (melancholic). They can’t turn to others and are socially aversive, but there’s also high self-devaluation - merging avoidant and depressive/melancholic personalities. They end up trying to release themself from their self-conscious awareness, which results in them abandoning the self completely. They neglect their wellbeing and have trouble with even the littlest self-care. Some may even head toward suicide, and some head toward emotional numbness. Sometimes, the avoidance of cognitive self-awareness might lead to a splitting of consciousness, which is a schizotypal merging- where reality and the self starts to fall apart, fragment, and be disorganized.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio

Do you resonate with any of these? Comment on YouTube or contact us here! Avoidant personality dynamics and disorder can be hard to parse out. If you want to dive into your own avoidance or the avoidant dynamics of someone in your life, therapy and/or psychological testing can help! If you’re in Virginia (or a PsyPact state), check out our private practice, Quest Psychological and Counseling Services for available services.

you’re a provider stuck on a case, we also offer consultations for mental health professionals!

References

Millon, T., Grossman, S., Millon, C., Meagher, S., & Ramnath, R. (Eds.). (2004). The schizoid personality. In Personality disorders in modern life (2nd ed., pp. 371–402). Wiley. ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Millon, T. (2011). Apathetic styles, asocial types, schizoid disorders: The AAS spectrum. In Disorders of personality: Introducing a DSM/ICD spectrum from normal to abnormal (3rd ed., pp. 663–707). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118099254 ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

Ep 46: Did the DSM Get it Wrong? | A New Perspective on Avoidant Personality

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 02:00:01 +0000

In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, licensed clinical psychologist Doc Bok unpacks the historical context of Avoidant Personality Disorder (APD), exploring the ongoing debate about its classification in the DSM. This episode discusses the contributions of Theodore Millon, the controversies that arose during the introduction of APD, and the implications of trauma and sociopolitical culture on personality development. The episode concludes with proposing alternative classification systems, including the Enneagram, the psychodynamic phobic character, and avoidant personality as a problematic trait versus a disorder.

Did the DSM Get it Wrong?

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 02:00:00 +0000

Photo by Gustavo Fring

Is Avoidant Personality Disorder the most recently created personality disorder? Technically, it was introduced in the DSM-III in 1980, along with three other “new” personality disorders: narcissistic personality disorder, schizotypal personality disorder, and borderline personality disorder. However, the origins of these three date pretty far back in comparison to Avoidant Personality Disorder, which was only coined in 1969 by Theodore Millon¹. So that begs the questions - Why is this showing up so late in the game? Is this actually a separate personality disorder? 🤔

Photo by Matej

The History of Avoidant Personality Disorder¹

In 1969, Theodore Millon came up with Avoidant Personality Disorder, focusing on the process of active detachment from psychological pain and social relationships (in contrast to passive detachment in the schizoid). Millon highlights historical theory that intertwines with schizoid personality dynamics, until he separated them in 1969. A prominent concept that Millon describes is Kretchmer’s hyperaesthetic part of schizoid. Kretchmer described a core schizoid component (unsociable, quiet, reserved, serious, eccentric), then a continuum in which the schizoid can drift back and forth in: aesthetic (insensitive) and hyperaesthetic (overly sensitive)² ¹. Millon separated the hyperaesthetic aspect into what is now Avoidant Personality Disorder…which elicited a lot of controversy.

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Controversy Surrounding Avoidant Personality Disorder

After the introduction of Avoidant Personality Disorder in the DSM-III, theorists had some interesting arguments in The American Journal of Psychiatry. Livesley et al. (1985)² argued against avoidant personality disorder as a separate, standalone personality disorder, calling out Millon for pulling out hyperaesthetic from Kretchmer’s full schizoid theory. They also quoted Gunderson…which I think is a pretty clear, powerful comment on the topic: “In the absence of any clinical, empirical, or even widely accepted theoretical rationale for such a distinction, it is difficult to understand why this category [avoidant personality disorder] was established.”

Millon³ responded in the journal in 1986, noting that Livesley et al.² were not members of the APA taskforce for the DSM, so they’re missing data…a fair, but egocentric point. Then Millon³ argued that he conceptualized avoidant personality disorder first, then figured out Kretschmer’s hyperaesthetic fit with avoidant…which is….suspicious. It could be true, but for myself, I’m not buying it due to the snobbish undertones in Millon’s writings.

Then in 1986, Akhtar⁴ responded to Livesley² with my favorite argument! He noted that avoidant and schizoid should be separated, but not for the reasons that Millon³ proposed. Instead, Akhtar⁴ focused on defenses, with avoidants using higher level defenses like repression, symbolism, and displacement, while schizoids tend to use lower level defenses such as withdrawal into fantasy and splitting the self off from their own needs and the world. He also argues that schizoid and avoidant personalities are structurally organized in a different way, and that avoidant personality is a personality where fear, anxiety, and phobic processes have become one with the person, intertwined with who they are (ego-syntonic)…just like depression could be a depressive personality or OCD an obsessive-compulsive personality⁴. He was essentially saying that avoidant personality is a phobic character⁵ (According to the PDM-2⁵, an anxious-avoidant/phobic personality is an anxious or timid person who struggles with safety vs. danger, feeling that they are in constant danger and must avoid it 🫣).

Regardless of all the controversy…Why did Avoidant Personality Disorder only show up in 1969?! Let’s check out what was happening in the world then. 🌎

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The Zeitgeist of the Times of Avoidant Personality Disorder⁶

Personality is influenced at an individual level with genes, temperament, and early environments, but it’s also influenced by macrolevel layers such as culture and societal events. During the 1960s, there was a changing of world order and heightened polarization across the globe on the heels of World War II. In the United States (where Millon lived) in the 1960s, JFK was assassinated (1963); the Civil Rights Act was passed (1964); riots were rampant; MLK was assassinated (1968); Nixon, one of the most paranoid leaders in America, was elected president (1969)…and we have a push for people to submit to authority or else (😨phobic), rise up and challenge injustice (😡counterphobic), or avoid it all and become a hippie (✌️blissfully avoidant). Is it surprising then, that all of the sudden, we have a personality disorder characterized by fear and anxiety, who run from psychological pain? 🤷

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Doc Fish’s Opinion on Avoidant Personality Disorder

I see SIGNIFICANT overlap among multiple theories! At the core, we have a personality that is fearful, anxious, and uncertain, and feeling inadequate because of it.

The DSM calls this avoidant, focusing on the hypervigilance to rejection and low self esteem.
Millon¹ calls this avoidant, focusing on the hyperalertness to danger and active movement away from others to avoid emotional pain.
Psychoanalytic theory (in my personal opinion) calls it an anxious-avoidant/phobic personality⁵, focusing on avoiding danger and feelings of inadequacy and indecisiveness.
The Enneagram⁷ describes a Type 6 who tends to be anxious and fearful of not having support, needing security and reassurance. They can be suspicious, self-doubting, defensive, and evasive, needing to test others’ attitudes toward them…Sounds a lot like Avoidant to me!

My conclusion is that schizoid and avoidant are separate personalities, but are not adequately captured in the DSM or by Millon¹. I actually favor the Enneagram⁷ to describe avoidant personalities with the Type 6, and think psychoanalytic theory’s phobic personality⁵ is also helpful to understand Avoidant Personality Disorder. Interestingly, Doc Bok has a different take on Avoidant Personality Disorder, viewing it as a trait. To learn more, check out Ep 46: Did the DSM Get it Wrong? A New Perspective on Avoidant PD.

Whatever your perspective on Avoidant Personality Disorder is, the symptoms of running from psychological pain, feeling anxious, struggling with low self-esteem, and avoiding others due to fear of criticism definitely exist - regardless of what you want to label it. If you desire to explore Avoidant Personality dynamics, therapy and/or psychological testing can help! If you’re in Virginia (or a PsyPact state), check out our private practice, Quest Psychological and Counseling Services for available services. If you’re a provider stuck on a case, we also offer consultations for mental health professionals!

References

Millon, T. (2011). Disorders of personality: Introducing a DSM / ICD spectrum from normal to abnormal (3rd edition). John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Livesley, W. J., West, M., & Tanney, A. (1985). Historical comment on DSM-III schizoid and avoidant personality disorders. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 142(11), 1344-1347. https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.142.11.1344 ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Millon, T. (1986). Schizoid and avoidant personality disorders in DSM-III. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 143(10), 1321b-1323. https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.143.10.1321b ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Akhtar, S. (1986). Differentiating schizoid and avoidant personality disorders. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 143(8), 1061-a-1062. https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.143.8.1061-a ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Lingiardi, V., & McWilliams, N. (Eds.). (2017). Psychodynamic diagnostic manual: PDM-2 (2nd ed.). The Guilford Press. ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
History. (2025, May 28). The 1960s. https://www.history.com/articles/1960s-history ↩︎
Enneagram Type 6: The Loyalist. (n.d.). The Enneagram Institute. Retrieved January 20, 2026, from https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/type-6/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Ep 45: Schizoid Personality's Close Cousin: Avoidant in the DSM

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 02:00:01 +0000

In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) unpack the DSM’s Avoidant Personality Disorder (AvPd), exploring its hotly debated history, the DSM criteria, and its overlap with social anxiety. We discuss the developmental aspects of AvPd, the challenges of low self-esteem with this disorder, and how it can cause problems in employment. We end with our own unfiltered thoughts on whether or not we think it should be a diagnosis, questioning the zeitgeist in which it was coined, the lack of historical research, and its overlap with multiple other personality disorders.

Avoidant Personality Disorder in the DSM

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 02:00:00 +0000

only showed up in 1980 with the ¹ when was separated into schizoid, , and avoidant personality disorders. The DSM-III described avoidant personality disorder as long-term low , hypersensitivity to rejection, avoidance of closeness if there’s a chance of criticism, , and a desire for / . The most recent (2022) criteria of avoidant personality disorder can be found in the (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision²). While avoidant personality disorder is becoming more and more popular, theorists are still arguing about whether it should be its own separate personality disorder or just traits, or whether it should be in the DSM at all³ ⁴. Let’s take a look at what the DSM-5-TR says about avoidant personality disorder.

Note: Text in these boxes are the exact words from DSM-5-TR²

Avoidant Personality Disorder Criteria

“A pervasive pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by four (or more) of the following²:” (p. 765)

The DSM-5-TR gives a framework for avoidant personality disorder involving long-term, patterns that don’t just appear one day, but have been growing consistently since early adulthood. Avoidant personality traits like and fear of strangers/new situations are actually common in childhood, but usually decrease with age. In contrast, avoidant personality disorder involves increases in shyness and fear during adolescence and early adulthood. Additionally, the patterns have to be seen in multiple settings, like home, school, and work. So these are not just symptoms that pop up like a common cold, but patterns that are intertwined within the whole person.

The main patterns involved in avoidant personality disorder are , feelings of , and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation. Those with avoidant personality disorder do not feel like they are capable or good enough, making them super aware of any possible criticism or rejection from others. This results in restricted expression and engagement in relationships with others because others might disapprove of them. It makes sense then, that it’s called avoidant personality disorder. There’s avoidance of criticism, rejection, and social interaction. And, there has to be four or more of the following criteria noted in the boxes below.

“Avoids occupational activities that involve significant interpersonal contact because of fears of criticism, disapproval, or rejection².” (p. 765)

For those with avoidant personality disorder, work and job functioning is very much negatively impacted due to fears of others not approving of them, evaluating them negatively, or just flat out rejecting them. This is especially prominent for situations that involve social interactions. They really attempt to avoid any meaningful interpersonal contact in their job, even if it’s important for job success or advancement. For example, they might turn down a promotion because they’re fearful that failing to do a good job in the new position could result in others criticizing them.

“Is unwilling to get involved with people unless certain of being liked².” (p. 765)

This is pretty self-explanatory. Those with avoidant personality disorder have a hard time with rejection and not being liked, and they have a foundational belief that others are critical, disapproving, and rejecting. And they are super aware and vigilant of watching others’ movements and expressions. Others have to pass tests and jump through hoops to shed that default assumption. So what do they do with new people or groups? They avoid - unless there is certainty that they will be liked. This often results in loneliness and isolation.

“Shows restraint within intimate relationships because of the fear of being shamed or ridiculed².” (p. 766)

Because of all their fears of being criticized, ridiculed, , exposed, etc., is hard and troublesome. There’s fear of getting too close, so those with avoidant personality disorder might act with restraint, avoid talking about themselves, and not share their intimate feelings. However, if they feel safe and are super assured that they won’t be judged or criticized, they can show interpersonal intimacy. Additionally, because they really do desire affection and acceptance from others, but might now obtain it, they can put their desires into . They might fantasize about connections with others instead of actually engaging in them.

“Is preoccupied with being criticized or rejected in social situations².” (p. 766)

Those with avoidant personality disorder constantly worry about being negatively evaluated or rejected in interpersonal situations. This means they are always on alert for the possibility of criticism/rejection and can detect if someone is even a tiny bit critical or disapproving. Then, of course, they feel extremely hurt. Thus, they react very strongly to even the most subtle cue that may suggest someone is mocking them or being derisive. And, sometimes they even misinterpret other people’s neutral gestures, statements, or responses as critical or rejecting, which only serves to confirm their self-doubts.

“Is inhibited in new interpersonal situations because of feelings of inadequacy².” (p. 766)

Because those with avoidant personality disorder feel inadequate and have low self-esteem, they are not confident enough to act like themselves in new social situations. They are afraid that no matter what they say or do, others will see them as wrong and flawed, so they tend to not say much, if anything. They fear and avoid any attention because it might be critical or rejecting. Thus, they are viewed as shy, quiet, timid, inhibited, lonely, isolated, and “invisible.” Their hypersensitivity to rejection and low self-esteem lead to reduced social functioning and interactions. But remember, they really do desire and yearn to be social and interpersonally active. They just are really scared to put their “psychological welfare in the hands of others” (DSM-5-TR, p. 766).

“Views self as socially inept, personally unappealing, or inferior to others².” (p. 766)

Those with avoidant personality disorder do not view themselves in a positive light, holding beliefs that they are socially incompetent and personally unattractive. For some, those beliefs are super intense when interacting with strangers. But for many others, repeated interpersonal interactions are more difficult, since there’s a social expectation that more and more personal information should be shared. And that increases the risk that their flaws and inferiority might be seen, which means they could be criticized or rejected. The more interactions, the more they might start to convince themselves over time that others are seeing them as valueless and inferior, resulting in distress that is not tolerable. Sometimes the anxiety is so high that it leads to avoidance of (possible) friendships or even quitting jobs.

“Is unusually reluctant to take personal risks or to engage in any new activities because they may prove embarrassing².” (p. 766)

Individuals with avoidant personality disorder tend to interpret the potential peril of normal situations as much more dangerous than they actually are, meaning they can be super duper anxious in a way that is out of proportion to the event. Because of this, they put their needs of security, certainty, and assurance way above other values. They’re not willing to take the leap - be it jobs, friends, hobbies, traveling, or maybe even trying new foods. Their lifestyle is restricted because of fear.

Living with avoidant personality disorder can be distressing and difficult. There tends to be a lot of fear that impacts social and work functioning. And a lot of times, it can feel like others don’t get it - making it worse. If you want to better understand and care for an avoidant personality in your life, or if you are an avoidant personality and want to explore it, feel free to reach out! You can look on , or if you’re in Virginia (or a state), check out our private practice, for available services. If you’re a provider stuck on a case, we also offer for mental health professionals!

References

American Psychiatric Association. (1980). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (3rd ed.). ↩︎
American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5-TR (5th edition, text revision.). ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
McWilliams, N. (2011). Psychoanalytic diagnosis: Understanding personality structure in the clinical process (2nd ed.). Guilford Press. ↩︎
Millon, T. (2011). Disorders of personality: Introducing a DSM / ICD spectrum from normal to abnormal (3rd edition). John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ↩︎

Ep 39: Schizoid vs Avoidant Personality | What's the Difference?

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 02:00:01 +0000

In this episode of The Personality Couch, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) compare and contrast avoidant and schizoid personalities. While schizoid and avoidant personality disorders have overlapping traits but distinct characteristics, personality psychologists have argued about it for decades. In this episode, we explore the definitions of each disorder and ongoing debates surrounding if these disorders are the same thing or not. We end by sharing our thoughts about whether schizoid personality and avoidant personality are the same or different, while giving a critical opinion about the DSM’s limiting definitions of both.

Are you a clinician stuck on a case? To schedule a consultation, please visit the practice website! https://www.questpsych.org/

Schizoid Personality Disorder vs. Avoidant Personality Disorder

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 02:00:00 +0000

Unlike many personality disorders, didn’t come on the scene until about the 1960s with ’s work¹ ². It didn’t even appear formally until the in 1980 when was split into schizoid, schizotypal, and avoidant³ ⁴ ² 🤯. And ever since, there’s been an argument about it².

History - Kretschmer

It all started with who described schizoid personalities as having three groups of characteristics³ ⁴:

Core: Unsociable, quiet, reserved, serious (humourless), eccentric
: Sensitive, timid, shy with fine feelings, nervous, excitable, fond of nature and books
: Insensitive, pliable, cold, kindly, honest, indifferent, dull-witted, silent

While the first group is the core of schizoid and runs “like a scarlet thread through the whole of schizoid characterology,” the second and third groups of features were noted to be on a continuum³. So sensitivity and insensitivity stand in opposition to each other, and schizoids move along the spectrum, making their position unstable³ ⁴. The tension between the two is what is distressing. It’s a conflict, just like the psychodynamic conceptualization.

Kretchmer stated, “The majority of schizoids are not either oversensitive or cold, but . . . they are over-sensitive AND cold at the same time AND. . . in quite different relative proportions³.” The sensitivity levels exist within the same turtle, it just depends on how comfortable/safe the turtle feels. When the turtle is out looking around and showing itself, we see the hyperaesthesia, but when it shuts itself in its shell, we see the anaesthesia.

Splitting Up Schizoid and Avoidant

Now, this is not what Millon decided. He decided that Kretchmer really meant hyperaesthesia and anaesthesia were two different personalities, avoidant and schizoid respectively⁵. And he basically noted that he was on the DSM taskforce and everyone else wasn’t, so they “don’t get it⁵.” Yet, this is in contrast to ’s view³: “In the absence of any clinical, empirical, or even widely accepted theoretical rationale for such a distinction, it is difficult to understand why this category [avoidant personality disorder] was established³.”

chimed in and noted that the work of and was ignored in splitting up avoidant and schizoid in the DSM, highlighting schizoids use , experience , and have a (with more severe childhood trauma), while avoidants use , do not experience identity diffusion, and have a due to anxiety (aka anxiety becomes intertwined with the personality)⁶. Akhtar later joined in again and suggested the DSM category of schizoid should be deleted and the DSM category of avoidant should be relabeled schizoid⁷…And some suggested schizoid just be deleted because they’re not common⁸, which I think is just rude, but everyone loves to overlook the schizoids 😠. Overall, the split of schizoid and avoidant has been chaotic, and everyone is still confused about it!

But what does the DSM say?

Briefly, the involves social detachment and restricted emotional expression without or ⁹. In contrast, the involves social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation, which leads to avoidance of social interaction/activities⁹. While both are socially isolated⁹ ¹⁰, avoidants desire relationships and feel deep loneliness, only moving away from closeness with others due to fear of embarrassment/rejection, while schizoids just don’t desire social intimacy as much, preferring aloneness and being content in it⁹.

Compare and Contrast of Schizoid and Avoidant

There’s clearly an overlap between schizoid and avoidant. They are both personalities¹⁰ who lean toward an / attachment style². They are ², socially isolated⁹, and can seem chilly, backwards, or socially awkward¹⁰. They can both be extremely sensitive and struggle in relationships involving intimacy². However, there’s a lot of differences between schizoid personality disorder and avoidant personality disorder, so I made a table…because yay, data!

Differences Between Schizoid and Avoidant

Schizoid Personality Disorder	Avoidant Personality Disorder
Low attachment anxiety²	High ²
Social ² ¹⁰	Social ¹¹ ²
Low ² -Indifference about approval and praise	High ¹⁰ -Desire approval and praise
Decreased empathic expression²	High fear-based shyness and timidity²
Diminished/ ² -Emotions are split off and protected against	High & ² ¹⁰ -Can be irritable, negativistic, and
Neither positive nor negative ²	Negative and internalized ¹¹ ² ¹⁰
Neither high nor low and self- ²	Low and self- ²
Low ² ¹⁰	High ² ¹⁰
Well-defended detachment¹⁰	Poorly-defended detachment¹⁰
Isolate from others¹² -Do not expect social reciprocity -Wall off their needs	Do not isolate from others¹² -Maintain hope that social reciprocity is possible -Insulate their needs, just in case
dynamic¹²	dynamic¹²
Protect against	Protect against and
² -to work on self in relation to others	² -to work on fear in relation to others

My Own Thoughts

Psychologists have argued about schizoid and avoidant personality for over 50 years, especially on how schizoid and avoidant personality disorders were presented in the DSM. But this also led to the question of whether or not they should be split up at all. I do believe that schizoid and avoidant are different personalities in the same way as Fairbairn and Kernberg⁶. I like how Kretschmer captures the tension of hyperaesthesia and anaesthesia of the schizoid,³ ⁴ and I like how Akhtar argues avoidant is an anxious- ⁶. However, I personally think that the DSM criteria for both schizoid and avoidant personality disorders are too vague, somewhat misrepresentative, and simply not good enough. It may be a losing battle though…I mean, how can you put personality into a concrete box?

As the argument about schizoid personality disorder and avoidant personality disorder continues its half-century debate, let us know what you think Comment on or contact us ! If you want help to better understand your own schizoid-ness versus avoidant-ness (or the dynamics of someone you care about), therapy and/or psychological testing can help! If you’re in Virginia (or a state), check out for available services. If you’re a provider stuck on a case, Quest also offers for mental health professionals!

References

Millon, T. (2011). Disorders of personality: Introducing a DSM / ICD spectrum from normal to abnormal (3rd edition). John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ↩︎
Thomson, S. M., & Bornstein, R. F. (2024). Toward a more nuanced perspective on detachment: Differentiating schizoid and avoidant personality styles through qualities of the self-representation. Journal of Personality Assessment, 106(4), 496-508. ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Livesley, W. J., West, M., & Tanney, A. (1985). Historical comment on DSM-III schizoid and avoidant personality disorders. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 142(11), 1344-1347. ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Livesley, W. J., West, M., & Tanney, A. (1986). Differentiating schizoid and avoidant personality disorders. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 143(8), 1062-1063. ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Millon, T. (1986). Schizoid and avoidant personality disorders in DSM-III. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 143(10), 1321b-1323. ↩︎ ↩︎
Akhtar, S. (1986). Differentiating schizoid and avoidant personality disorders. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 143(8), 1061-a-1062. ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Akhtar, S. (1988). Avoidant, schizoid, and dependent personality disorders. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 145(2), 277-277. ↩︎
Trull, T. J., Widiger, T. A., & Frances, A. (1987). Covariation of criteria sets for avoidant, schizoid, and dependent personality disorders. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 144(6), 767-771. ↩︎
American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5-TR (5th edition, text revision.). ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Urer, F., & Bornstein, R. F. (2024). Deconstructing detachment: Contrasting trait profiles in community adults with schizoid versus avoidant personality styles. Journal of Personality Disorders, 38(6), 520-534. ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Silverstein, M. L. (2007). Descriptive psychopathology and theoretical viewpoints: Schizoid, schizotypal, and avoidant personality disorders. Disorders of the self: A personality-guided approach (pp. 61-72). American Psychological Association. ↩︎ ↩︎
Silverstein, M. L. (2007). A self psychological viewpoint: Schizoid, schizotypal, and avoidant personality disorders. Disorders of the self: A personality-guided approach (pp. 73-94). American Psychological Association. ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

Ep 07: Personalities That Kill

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 02:00:01 +0000

In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we discuss personality darkness and specifically focus on personalities that are prone to violence and extreme behavior. We also discuss two important research studies, the Milgram study and the Stanford prison experiment, that shed light on the capacity for humans to engage in harmful acts. We then delve into the different personality types within Cluster A (schizoid, schizotypal, and paranoid); Cluster B (borderline, histrionic, and narcissistic); and Cluster C (avoidant, dependent, obsessive-compulsive) and discuss their risk levels for violence and murder. In this conversation, we also explore sadistic personalities, a category not included in the DSM, but included in multiple other personality theories. We highlight the characteristics and behaviors associated with each type and discuss the potential for violence and destructive behavior. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding these personalities and their potential risks in order to promote awareness and better understanding of human behavior.

Personalities That Kill

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 02:00:00 +0000

One of my favorite topics to dive into is the darkness of humanity and thus the darkness of personalities. Harm to others surrounds us in a ridiculous amount of ways, which makes many people think about not only what others around them are capable of, but of what they, themselves are capable of. The popularity of true crime, dark genres, horror media, etc., provides evidence that people are interested in this topic. And of course, there’s always some recent event that can remind us of the darkness people have in them. There is SO much I could say about this topic (Listen to podcast episode 07 for much more information), but for now, I’m just going to address the question:

🚩What personalities are at the most risk to kill? 🚩

In my opinion, there are three main personality types that fall into the high risk category. I’m going to start with the “least” risky and end with the “most” risky, though please remember that all still are at high risk.

Narcissistic Personalities

Medium Risk to High Risk

Photo by Lance Reis on Unsplash

The thing to remember about narcissism is that those who kill are quite likely to at least have high narcissistic traits, but not necessarily a narcissistic personality structure/disorder. Narcissistic personalities are all about image, ego, and the self, needing admiration and presenting with superiority, grandiosity, and charm (see Episode 04 podcast/blog for more info on narcissistic personalities). They value image so much that they can harm others in their pursuit and maintenance of it. However, there are some types of narcissistic personalities that are at higher risk for actually killing. While some narcissistic personalities are “more pure,” their focus on image is mostly about climbing the social ladder (e.g. Elitist subtype from Millon, p. 397). Now, they’ll react with anger, hostility, and even emotional/verbal abuse, but they’re not apt to physically kill. In contrast, there are some types who connect power with image, resulting in destruction. Millon’s “Unprincipled” subtype of narcissistic personality (Millon, p. 402) is at high risk for killing due to lack of remorse, lack of social conscience, vengefulness, and maliciousness. This subtype includes antisocial features, seen in their desire to humiliate and dominate others. Millon’s “Unprincipled” narcissist seems to be similar to the PDM-2’s mention of the “Malignant” narcissist (PDM-2, p. 46), whose narcissism is combined with sadistic aggression… 🚩Yikes!!

Photo by Tech Nick on Unsplash

Paranoid Personalities

High Risk

Paranoid personalities are tricky. You never really fully know a paranoid personality since they show different faces to different people, which they do because they are suspicious, distrustful, and fearful of others and the world (see Episode 04 podcast/blog for more info on paranoid personalities). They view the world as threatening and against them, and in their defense against this, they tend to attack before being attacked. They can’t handle their own pain and so they transfer it onto others, often in a dramatic manner. They are at a very high risk for destroying others and then themselves, while projecting their own pain onto the masses - such as in a murder-suicide event. It wouldn’t surprise me if many mass murderers have paranoid personality structures. However, while unhealthy paranoid personalities are dangerous in general, some might be most dangerous to themselves (Millon’s “Insular” subtype, p. 975) or in other ways outside of murder (Millon’s “Fanatic” subtype, p. 983). In contrast, Millon’s “Querulously” subtype (Millon, p. 974) tend to be hostile and have delusions, often erotic ones that can result in behaviors like stalking, killing for their object of infatuation, or even killing their actual object of affection. More concerning is Millon’s “Malignant” subtype (Millon, p. 987) who tend to be previous sadistic types who have “fallen apart.” …🚩🚩No bueno!

Antisocial Personalities

High Risk

Photo by Sander Sammy on Unsplash

Antisocial personalities are boundary-crossing, as they tend to disregard and violate the rights of others, social norms, and the law. They are often deceptive, sneaky, and charming on the outside, but can also be impulsive, aggressive, and/or reckless (see Episode 04 podcast/blog for more info on antisocial personalities). In my opinion, antisocial personalities can be somewhat less dangerous than sadistic personalities, because there are some types who are more at risk for harm to themselves (Millon’s “Risk-Taking” subtype, p. 451) or just withdrawal from society (Millon’s “Nomadic” subtype, p. 455). In contrast, Millon’s “Reputation-Defending” subtype (Millon, p. 453) is high in narcissism as well, with a focus on looking tough and powerful with high status. They might have positions of power and rule with aggressive leadership, likely finding a place in extremist groups/cultures. They are very likely to engage in violent acts to “confirm” their own strength, viewing their victims/enemies as the wrongdoers, which they feel condones their violence.

Millon’s “Malevolent” subtype (Millon, p. 458) is perhaps one of the most dangerous personality types, especially as they are paired with paranoid or sadistic features. They tend to be revenge-driven, vindictive, hateful, and destructive. Millon’s bone-chilling description of them on p. 458 includes the statement, “Distrustful of others and anticipating betrayal and punishment, they have acquired a cold-blooded ruthlessness, an intense desire to gain revenge for the real or imagined mistreatment to which they were subjected in childhood.” …Even more scary, they can usually grasp the concept of remorse/guilt in their minds and even experience it emotionally, but they disregard it🚩🚩🚩. This type seems to be the one that comes to mind when we hear the word “psychopath,” and interestingly, it seems to correlate with the PDM-2’s “Aggressive” subtype of antisocial personality (PDM-2, p. 50).

Sadistic Personalities

High Risk 🚩🚩🚩🚩

Photo by Kurt Cotoaga on Unsplash

This category of personality is a bit confusing. The DSM-5-TR does not include sadistic personality disorder, but Millon and the PDM-2 separate sadistic and antisocial personalities. The overall core of sadistic personalities is their enjoyment of inflicting pain on others (see Episode 05 podcast/blog on Millon’s types or Episode 06 podcast/blog on Psychodynamic types for more info on sadistic personalities). Some sadistic personalities feel like they are entitled to control or punish others, often taking positions of power in militaries, schools, or legal systems, as they also have some compulsive traits. Their power leads to feelings of arrogance and superiority, resulting in a tendency to view their “victims” as inferior and maybe not even human - but all this is wrapped up in their “righteous” exterior that they portray as moral (Millon’s “Enforcing” subtype, p. 637). Some sadists are actually very fearful and use violence to disguise their fear, moving against it through counterphobic action. They can be quite cruel and often find themselves in groups with a shared victim, like a hate group - somewhere to put their anger about their own weakness (Millon’s “Spineless” subtype, p. 637). Some might possibly kill those closest to them in an uncontrollable and unpredictable rage that tends to not be premeditated but impulsive. (Millon’s “Explosive” subtype, p. 641).

The one I find the most severely brutal and horrifying is Millon’s “Tyrannical” subtype (Millon, p. 642), which can have paranoid and/or negativistic features. They enjoy destroying, abusing, assaulting, and terrorizing. They are the devious, composed predators who seek out weak prey, and when they attack, they do so with no remorse, unable to stop until their rage is exhausted. Millon states, “What is also especially distinctive is the desire and willingness of these sadists to go out of their way to be unmerciful and inhumane in their violence” (Millon, p. 645), adequately describing them as being “distressingly ‘evil’” (Millon, p. 642).

Hopefully, this helps you better understand your true crime shows and villains in the media you consume. I wouldn’t wish a relationship with these risky types on anyone! It gives a bit of a new meaning to the concept of red flag 🚩. Beware and be well!

Avoidant Personality | Personality Couch

Ep 48: The 4 Attachment Styles & Avoidant Personality

Are Avoidant Personalities Avoidantly Attached?

What is Attachment? 2

The Four Attachment Styles 2

Secure Attachment…⬇️avoidance, ⬇️anxiety

Anxious (Preoccupied) Attachment…⬇️avoidance, ⬆️anxiety

Avoidant (Dismissive) Attachment…⬆️avoidance, ⬇️anxiety

Disorganized (Fearful, Fearful-Avoidant, Anxious-Avoidant) Attachment…⬆️avoidance, ⬆️anxiety

What Does the Research Say About Avoidant Personality and Attachment?

Early Childhood and Avoidant Personality Disorder 1 5

References

Ep 47: Avoidant Personality | The 6 Subtypes

Avoidant Personality Subtypes (Millon)

Shy Personality: Mild - Normal Level1 2

Anxious1 2

Imaginative1 2

Reticent Personality: Moderate - Problematic Level1 2

Hypersensitive (Paranoid Features)1 2

Phobic (Dependent Features)1 2

Avoidant Personality: Severe - Disorder Level1 2

Conflicted (Negativistic Features)1 2

Self-Deserting (Melancholic and Schizotypal Features)1 2

References

Ep 46: Did the DSM Get it Wrong? | A New Perspective on Avoidant Personality

Did the DSM Get it Wrong?

The History of Avoidant Personality Disorder1

Controversy Surrounding Avoidant Personality Disorder

The Zeitgeist of the Times of Avoidant Personality Disorder6

Doc Fish’s Opinion on Avoidant Personality Disorder

References

Ep 45: Schizoid Personality's Close Cousin: Avoidant in the DSM

Avoidant Personality Disorder in the DSM

Avoidant Personality Disorder Criteria

References

Ep 39: Schizoid vs Avoidant Personality | What's the Difference?

Schizoid Personality Disorder vs. Avoidant Personality Disorder

History - Kretschmer

Splitting Up Schizoid and Avoidant

But what does the DSM say?

Compare and Contrast of Schizoid and Avoidant

Differences Between Schizoid and Avoidant

My Own Thoughts

References

Ep 07: Personalities That Kill

Personalities That Kill

Narcissistic Personalities

Paranoid Personalities

Antisocial Personalities

Sadistic Personalities

References

What is Attachment? ²

The Four Attachment Styles ²

Early Childhood and Avoidant Personality Disorder ¹ ⁵

Shy Personality: Mild - Normal Level¹ ²

Anxious¹ ²

Imaginative¹ ²

Reticent Personality: Moderate - Problematic Level¹ ²

Hypersensitive (Paranoid Features)¹ ²

Phobic (Dependent Features)¹ ²

Avoidant Personality: Severe - Disorder Level¹ ²

Conflicted (Negativistic Features)¹ ²

Self-Deserting (Melancholic and Schizotypal Features)¹ ²

The History of Avoidant Personality Disorder¹

The Zeitgeist of the Times of Avoidant Personality Disorder⁶