I thought I was the only one. I did "cry for help" as a teen. I didnt even think about why at the time. I knew intuitively it was what I had to do and it became an idee fixe for a few months. Now I think that by harming myself I wanted to "prove" (both to my parents and myself) my mental pain. It would be a physical, undeniable manifestation of my invisible distress.

I also refused communication (I was offered through writing). In retrospect I feared it would make my parents disappointed. With avpd it feels like I am so disgusting I have to be fake and put on a mask even with my mom. I cant ever be truly open. I also feared what I said would be used against me in later arguments. I think she genuinely wanted to help me. I guess because the avoidance is so deeply ingrained it's almost compulsive to avoid and "play it safe" and I find reasons to be suspicious when they probably shouldnt be. Everyone with avpd is different and there are many different reasons to act this way. He might have undiagnosed other mental issues too.