What personality disorder is characterized by social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation?

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Prepare for the Pennsylvania Psychiatry EOR Test. Explore flashcards, multiple-choice questions, and detailed explanations. Get exam-ready!

The personality disorder characterized by social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation is known as Avoidant Personality Disorder. Individuals with this disorder often experience intense anxiety in social situations due to their fear of being judged or rejected. This leads to a continual avoidance of social interactions, forming relationships, and participating in activities where they may be exposed to critique.

People with Avoidant Personality Disorder typically see themselves as socially inept or inferior to others, contributing to their profound sense of inadequacy. Their heightened sensitivity to negative evaluation also means that they often misinterpret situations as being critical, reinforcing their avoidance behaviors. Unlike other personality disorders, such as Dependent Personality Disorder, which involves a need for others to care for them, or Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder, which emphasizes orderliness and control over emotions, the defining features of Avoidant Personality Disorder center significantly around social anxiety and self-perception.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder, on the other hand, is characterized by a pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and a lack of empathy, which does not align with the symptoms described in the question. Thus, the correct identification of Avoidant Personality Disorder provides a clear and accurate representation of the symptoms listed.

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