Can Avoidant personality disorder and/or social phobia co exist with austism or ASD

(note i am still uncertain on the main differences between avoidant personality disorder and social phobia so i will refer to both when i say APD)

Hi i've been diagnosed with ASD from very young but recently i've looked into certain disorders and can also fit to Avoidant personality disorder or mayeb social phobia. I've searched around for whether APD can co exist with ASD and most people said yes for the reason that APD can be easily caused by the continual failed social relations derived from ASD, but no one seems to have commented on the fact that the most dominant characteristic of APD is a fear of being judged by others and constantly thinking what the other person may think should not be able to coincide with the most dominant characteristic of a person with ASD who cannot empathise or consider others viewpoints.

As for a self diagnosis for APD/SP:
i'm very sensitive to criticism ONLY when i know it is serious (when a friend told me off, i just felt terrible a guilty and went to bed thinking about why i said it for hours)
extremely self conscious of what i have to say (main problem, i think too much about what i say could do and don't end up saying anything)
low self esteem
excessively weak to guilt

For ASD:
difficult to make eye contact
an almost monotonus voice(i've been told i sound like the stereotypical nerd)
auditory perception deficits
sensitivity to loud sounds, taste

Other stuff:
I obviously suck at making and maintaining social relationships which is why i'm here but i do want to socialise
I'd like to think i can empathise, i think i can but thats not something u can judge best yourself, but as i said above, i constantly analyse my own actions and others reactions and try to decipher what they are thinking (in positive vs negative terms)

sorry for the long post but i do really wish to know what i have

thanks

Sorry that I'm not answering your question, but...

Don't look into disorders. Even if you technically do have one, it won't change anything for you. Just modern idiocy with everything being a disorder, really. People need to feel special, I guess.

Originally Posted by losty

no one seems to have commented on the fact that the most dominant characteristic of APD is a fear of being judged by others and constantly thinking what the other person may think should not be able to coincide with the most dominant characteristic of a person with ASD who cannot empathise or consider others viewpoints.

I don't think anybody can diagnose you online. I have a degree in psych so I'll make some general comments about your situation but they are just speculations and nothing more. If you want a diagnosis, see a psychiatrist--as you know I'm sure.

First off, even psychologists are not sure how to differentiate social phobia from APD which may simply be a more severe type of social phobia.

In the portion of your reply that I have quoted, you note that theoretically APD and ASD don't go together. I think you can have both though. How? If you have ASD--and you have been diagnosed with it--you might learn over time that you have problems understanding social cues. Akin to older people who might develop a bit of paranoia as a result of hearing loss, you might react to your difficulties with social cues in different ways, such as paranoia, anxiety, depression, etc. If you were a bit anxious as a child, then your anxiety may now be focused on social situations understandably. So eventhough you may not be able to read people's social signals as well as some other people, you may develop a general sense of anxiety around them, akin to an immigrant who doesn't understand the language spoken here.

Regardless, based on what you've written, you come across as bright and educated, with an analytical mind. You seem to want to make connections and work at improving yourself. I think getting a diagnosis can be helpful and reassuring. I think accepting life and yourself, focusing on your strengths, and letting your life flow inside you and radiate outside yourself, can also feel wonderful.

Wish you the best.

Technically speaking yes. In fact many aspies develope AVPD,depression and S.A.D due to rejection due to their issues with social skills.

Originally Posted by thewindlistens

Sorry that I'm not answering your question, but...

Don't look into disorders. Even if you technically do have one, it won't change anything for you. Just modern idiocy with everything being a disorder, really. People need to feel special, I guess.

Based on the above your knowledge of psychology appears to be a tad limited.

Originally Posted by Anhedonic Lake

Based on the above your knowledge of psychology appears to be a tad limited.

Well, yes, it is. I was trying to say though, that I think a person is better off not delving into thoughts of what psychological disorders he has by himself, because if he does have them he'll still have them, even if he knows about them. All he's likely to get out of it is psychological hypochondria.

Go to a shrink if you seriously think you have something and have them tell you.

And even then think carefully if you want a specific "disorder" treated. A lot of things that should simply be called personality traits are labeled "disorder" these days.

If you don't understand what I mean, an example: Homosexuality has for a very long time been considered a psychological disorder of the worst kind.

Originally Posted by thewindlistens

Well, yes, it is. I was trying to say though, that I think a person is better off not delving into thoughts of what psychological disorders he has by himself, because if he does have them he'll still have them, even if he knows about them. All he's likely to get out of it is psychological hypochondria.

Go to a shrink if you seriously think you have something and have them tell you.

And even then think carefully if you want a specific "disorder" treated. A lot of things that should simply be called personality traits are labeled "disorder" these days.

If you don't understand what I mean, an example: Homosexuality has for a very long time been considered a psychological disorder of the worst kind.

Ah, I think I may have misinterpreted your post as being dismissive. I agree that one should be highly wary of self diagnosis. A good psychiatrist is indeed the best method.
It is true that their is a social element in certain disorders. Homosexuality was considered a disorder and transsexualism or gender identity disorder is still listed as a mental illness.

As for personality disorders. Well I know that they do exist and are most definitely disorders. I think some people forget that these traits must be inflexable,pervasive and disorders ones occupational functioning. I also think some psychiatrists overdiagnose certain personality disorders,especially SPD.

I have both Aspergerr's and AvPD.