I had been through a suicidal depressive episode that i thankfully got help with, after which I wanted to try and get help with my other mental difficulties.

I met with a doctor because I was convinced I was on the spectrum so he referred me to a therapist.

After some biweekly sessions after a couple of months the therapist concluded i didn't have autism but AvPD and social anxiety, I've always felt there was something wrong with me so finally getting a name for it helped me a lot.

It involved the therapist asking a lot about childhood, phoning my parents with questions and how I experience/feel social situations, wanting to have/form social connections but feeling absolutely unable to, almost like I unconsciously limit myself from forming connections in fear of being rejected.

I've gotten better on social anxiety thanks to exposure therapy, but AvPD is still something I occasionally feel and experience, it helps a lot just knowing about and being aware of it and pushing through my comfort zone and boundaries.