Avoidant personality disorder was a new addition to DSM-III. Reaction to
its inclusion was mixed. Critics cited the lack of empirical data and the
overlap with schizoid disorder. The authors consider the overlap and
covariation among avoidant, schizoid, and dependent symptoms and diagnoses
in a sample of 84 inpatients diagnosed by using a semistructured interview.
Items for avoidant disorder covaried with criteria for dependent disorder
but not with criteria for schizoid disorder. The authors point out the
implications of these results for the revision of DSM-III (DSM-III-R).Abstract Teaser