A great source on AVPD is from Dr. Todd Grande’s Youtube Channel, who points out that many people who are diagnosed with AVPD are also diagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). When these two disorders overlap (comorbidity) psychologists say that the subject with AVPD cannot be studied due to the conflict of both disorders. Another reason why research for AVPD is uncommon, is the reluctance of the subject to be studied do to the nature of the disorder. Victims of AVPD basically have an intense fear of interaction with others, even if it is to their benefit. Many mental health professionals believe that AVPD is just an intense case of SAD, but there are some characteristics vary. (See figure 08-02) The DSM-5 states… “Given its frequent onset in childhood and its persistence into and through adulthood, Social Anxiety Disorder may resemble a personality disorder. The most apparent overlap is with Avoidant Personality Disorder. Individuals with Avoidant Personality Disorder have a broader avoidance pattern than those with Social Anxiety Disorder. Nonetheless, Social Anxiety Disorder is typically more comorbid with Avoidant Personality Disorder than with other personality disorders, and Avoidant Personality Disorder is more comorbid with Social Anxiety Disorder than with other anxiety disorders.” (Dsm-5 pg 207) It appears due to overdiagnosing, and misdiagnosing, people suffering with AVPD can’t get the treatment that may be much needed.

To get back on a Jungian note, according to this study conducted by S.R. Ekstrom Ph.D., individuals who are the most likely to develop AVPD are Introverted Thinking types, I would say, more so, the INTP. Ekstrom’s study states… “Of interest in regard to these personalities, is the similarity with Jung's thinking types. His observation of difficulty with inferior feeling is clearly echoed in the above description. However, the active or avoidant personality seems to be more congruent with the introverted thinking type.” (https://www.jungiananalysts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/ekstrom.pdf pg.7) While it isn’t hard to picture any of the Introverted types developing AVPD, this study seems heavily flawed. What the author of this article has to say about Introverted Intuitive types is interesting… “The intuitive type is finally described as grandiose, self-absorbed, fantastic, and obsessed—traits common with the narcissistic personality.” (https://www.jungiananalysts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/ekstrom.pdf pg.2) While what is being said about Introverted Intuitives can definitely be true, it seems the author is over generalizing types, and possibly leaving out how the individual Cognitive Functions themselves can become twisted and distorted.