Avoidants

Avoidants is a term used in psychology to describe people who tend to avoid social closeness or external situations due to fears of rejection, embarrassment, or overwhelming discomfort. In professional usage, the label can refer to distinct, though related, constructs: a clinical diagnosis known as avoidant personality disorder, and an attachment pattern described in adult relationships. The term is sometimes used in broader discussions of coping styles that rely on avoidance rather than approaching or engaging.

Avoidant personality disorder (AVPD) is a DSM-5 personality disorder characterized by pervasive social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation. People with AVPD may avoid work or social activities that involve significant interpersonal contact, fear intimacy, and view themselves as flawed. The condition often co-occurs with social anxiety disorder, depression, or other personality disorders. Etiology is thought to involve a combination of genetic vulnerability and early environmental factors such as critical or neglectful caregiving. Treatment typically includes psychotherapy, particularly cognitive-behavioral or schema-focused approaches, sometimes in combination with medications to manage anxiety or depression. Long-term prognosis varies with treatment engagement and comorbidity.

Avoidant attachment refers to an adult attachment style characterized by discomfort with closeness, a preference for emotional distance, and suppression of emotions. It is one of several patterns identified in attachment theory, alongside secure, anxious-preoccupied, and fearful-avoidant styles. Causes are linked to early caregiving, such as inconsistent availability or emotional unresponsiveness. In relationships, avoidant individuals may struggle with trust, dependence, or intimacy, and may experience relationship dissatisfaction or conflict. Therapy focusing on emotion regulation, communication skills, and building trust—often alongside couples therapy—can help individuals with avoidant attachment develop more secure relationship patterns.