Similarities 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Are usually be considered cold Lacking empathy Socially isolated Few friends Have difficulty in forming relationships, especially intimate ones Differences They are not exactly overlapping 1. AVPD comes under cluster C personality disorder, the anxious and fearful cluster, that also contains obsessive-compulsive personality disorder and dependent personality disorder PPD comes under cluster A, the odd eccentric cluster, that also contains schizotypal personality disorder and schizoid personality disorder 2. People with AVPD don’t feel the need to control others, are critical of themselves, and feel inept and inferior to others People with PPD tend to control others and are overly critical of them too 3. People with AVPD are extremely shy, unlikely to speak up in a group, have trouble in school or relationships, have low self-esteem People with PPD tend to act defensively as they are suspicious of people around them 4. People with AVPD have a chronic fear of rejection, embarrassment, and criticism People with PPD are concerned that info will be used against them or they’ll be hurt in some way by confiding in someone else Both can be diagnosed at the same time