Absolutely Not!!

The traditional way of referring to Avoidant Personality is to call it a Disorder. The traditional acronym for it is Avpd. This is the common way that the condition is referred to by both those who have it, mental health professionals, and most mental health organizations. On this website, at times, we refer to Avp as Avoidant Personality Disorder in order to ensure that anyone looking for information regarding the condition is able to find us.

The Term “Disorder” Is Outdated

The word "disorder" added to the term Avoidant Personality derives from earlier misunderstandings of mental illnesses. If you say that you have a disorder, you are saying that this is who you are. Avp is a mental illness and condition of the brain like cancer is a physical illness and condition of the body.

Someone who has Cancer does not go around saying, “I am Cancer,” they are a person who just happens to have Cancer. Since the person and the condition (in this case cancer) are separate from each other, the Cancer can be attacked, treated and cured. 

Another example would be people who suffer from homelessness. If they call themselves homeless, it's a self-fulfilling prophecy or a declaration of who they are.

Instead, we say that they are a person who happens to be experiencing homelessness. This simple but critical way of looking at it separates the condition from the person who is experiencing it. This differentiation means that all people are now the same and of equal value. It is only the condition that needs to be taken care of.

This means that:

• The person who is suffering from homelessness can find a way out of homelessness and become a productive member of society
• The person who is suffering from cancer can be cured of their condition
• If you are a person who just happens to have Avoidant Personality, you can find the Path to Recovery from Avp.