Which of the following behaviors is expected in a client with avoidant personality disorder during a conversation?

In the context of avoidant personality disorder, individuals often exhibit behaviors characterized by significant anxiety and avoidance in social situations. They may struggle with feelings of inadequacy and a hypersensitivity to negative evaluation. This can manifest in a conversation as a preference for non-verbal communication, such as nodding their head to indicate agreement or disagreement rather than expressing themselves verbally. This behavior reflects their discomfort with speaking up and the fear of judgment, making the tendency to nod rather than engage in vocal conversation a common occurrence.

In contrast, being outgoing and talkative, easily trusting others, or assertively sharing opinions are behaviors typically not aligned with the experiences of those with avoidant personality disorder. These individuals are more likely to be reserved, hesitant, and self-conscious in interactions, which underscores why the behavior of non-verbal acknowledgment through nodding is indicative of their condition.