Movies about avoidant personality disorder - Mental Health Related Films

Human lives and behaviour are far more nuanced and emotive than any psychiatric diagnostic system or symptom checklist can ever portray.

Most people recognise aspects of themselves in at least a few psychiatric diagnostic categories. The difference between normal and disorder is not straight forward and often has more to do with degree rather than kind, i.e. does it cause big problems?

While movies are not perfect depictions of reality, they often present themes in relatable, enriching, usefully challenging, and thought-provoking ways.

We invite you to explore mental health through movies that raise awareness, open dialogue, present complexity, entertain, and/or normalise experiences.

Click to see the Ultimate List of Mental Health Movies index

What is Avoidant personality disorder?

avoidant personality disorder is a psychiatric diagnosis (see abridged DSM-V criteria below) characterised by unreasonable fears of rejection, hypersensitivity to criticism, and extreme shyness.

Some of us sometimes feel shy or awkward in a certain situation. But a person with an avoidant personality disorder is almost always extremely sensitive and avoids social interaction for fear of being humiliated or rejected. They often feel lonely but avoid forming relationships outside of his family.

Abridged DSM-V Diagnostic Criteria of avoidant personality disorder 301.82 (F60.6V)

A pervasive pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by four (or more) of the following:

1. Avoids occupational activities that involve significant interpersonal contact because of fears of criticism, disapproval, or rejection.

2. Is unwilling to get involved with people unless certain of being liked.

3. Shows restraint within intimate relationships because of the fear of being shamed or ridiculed.

4. Is preoccupied with being criticised or rejected in social situations.

5. Is inhibited in new interpersonal situations because of feelings of inadequacy.

6. Views self as socially inept, personally unappealing, or inferior to others.

7. Is unusually reluctant to take personal risks or to engage in any new activities because they may prove embarrassing.

Movies about Avoidant personality disorder

If we missed an essential film about avoidant personality disorder, please let us know. We would love to include it.

Note: Movies may trigger painful memories and emotions. Please use your judgement and ensure support is available if need be.

Movie Title: The Glass Menagerie - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1973

Rate: 7.5

Cast: Katharine Hepburn, Sam Waterston, Joanna Miles

Storyline: The story is told from the point of view of Tom Wingfield but the story is about his sister, Laura, who has an avoidant personality disorder. She is unable to have normal interactions with other people. The focus of her energy is a collection of glass animals.

Movie Title: Good Dick - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2008

Rate: 6.4

Cast: Marianna Palka, Jason Ritter, Eric Edelstein

Storyline: A young video store clerk falls in love with a regular customer who has an avoidant personality disorder. After he fails to impress her at the store, he finds her address and tries his best to win her heart.

Movie Title: Zelig - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1983

Rate: 7.5

Cast: Woody Allen, Mia Farrow, Patrick Horgan Miles

Storyline: A fictional documentary about the life of a man who has an avoidant personality disorder. He avoids revealing his own self by trying to look and act like whoever he interacts with.

References and Links

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596

What is an avoidant personality disorder?: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9761-avoidant-personality-disorder

More on Avoidant personality disorder: https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/avoidant-personality-disorders#1

Avoidant personality disorder according to Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avoidant_personality_disorder

Acknowledgements

The above article was written under my close direction and supervision. However, much credit goes to Charlene Poliquit (my right-hand man) and Andri Eigenberger (my beloved aunt) for their huge efforts in bringing this task to life.

Vincenzo Sinisi