Helping someone with AVPD is difficult. As cheesy as it sounds, they are the only ones that can help themselves. You cannot convince someone to become more confident and open up to other people. I suppose you can just be nicer to them and prove them wrong. AVPD people are occupied with the fear of rejection and likely suffered an incident that triggered this reaction from a young age (bullies, family environment, rejection). Show them some kindness. It's all they really want.
Do you ever feel anxious towards others? My therapist told me this is what separated the two because AVPD falls under the anxious category of personality disorders.
I know this feeling too well. Having people like me is a very uncomfortable feeling because I do not feel worthy of it.
Avoidant personality disorder
personally i really like getting genuine compliments and feeling like people actually like me
>It's mostly gotten me in trouble.
This. All I really had to do is ask for help to avoid getting into trouble but I feel so inadequate and like an unwanted burden to everyone around me that I'm terrified of the prospect. This feeling consumes me everyday and it's really hard to cope with. Probably the root cause of my loneliness.
Yea i'm not sure if i can do anything, i think other people can so it really is my fault in the end.
That sound like the opposite of what someone like that would want.
>I only talk to safe people like siblings and cousins I've known my whole life.
I don't even talk to my family much because:
1. They think I'm pathetic, this is confirmed from what I've overheard them saying about me
2. Everytime I do talk to them they just complain & yell about how I don't call them
3. I resent them quite a bit
>Do you ever feel anxious towards others?
Hard to say. It's more like when I'm out I'm just uncomfortable. I dislike engaging with others and it bothers me, but I'm not sure I'd say anxious. I'm not afraid to talk to anyone, I just prefer to not. How would you describe anxiety?
>That sound like the opposite of what someone like that would want.
hmm how so?
Aren't you afraid of people liking you or vice versa, out of fear of commitment or being hurt or something like that, i'm my case he also thinks i'm making fun of him or not being serious also.
no people liking me is great although i do worry about being left behind. my fear is opening up to people and them rejecting me proving that i have a bad personality.
>i'm my case he also thinks i'm making fun of him or not being serious also
seeming genuine is important i sometimes feel like people try to manipulate me with compliments
>Avoidant personality disorder
More like pussy disorder