^^ I know my fears are irrational, logically. But, not only was I diagnosed with AvPD, but I have far more in common with AvPD traits/symptoms than I do with SAD traits/symptoms. Plus, it seems to me that AvPD would be considered an anxiety disorder, as well as a personality disorder, seeing as how a lot of it revolves around anxiety.

I believe that the anxiety I experience around others is caused from Asperger's. I feel no need to say that I also suffer from SAD. Lots of disorders cause people to become socially anxious, Asperger's being one of them.

If you experience extreme fear around people, that should be enough to know that you're a socially anxious person. Social anxiety doesn't really need a label like "social anxiety disorder". I feel that a diagnosis isn't necessary - the only way it could be helpful would be if you were wanting to go on meds to control your high levels of anxiety.

I was diagnosed with SAD when I was seventeen, but that was only after one >20 minute meeting with a psychiatrist so I can't help but not take it seriously. Especially since the meeting was (well, supposed to be) about my eating problems and not my people problems.
The medication I had just made my hands shake a lot.

Yeppers. I went from SAD to dysthymia to ADHD. They're all linked one way or another. I'm okay now, but last year was pretty rough. I wasn't sure what was worse: being depressed in cycles or just continually depressed. Pick your poison, to say the least.

Most adolescents and young adults are hastily categorized with SAD when they speak of occasional depression. I don't think I had SAD since it was based more on events rather than seasons, but I didn't realized that until much later. Meh. Oh well.

I was diagnosed when I was 12. It was pretty severe then, but now it's not as bad.

Exactly this!

Unfortunately, the state wants to have an official confirmation.