A 29-year-old male avoids work meetings, social gatherings, and dating. He says, "I want friends and a relationship, but I know people will find me inadequate." He describes himself as "painfully shy since childhood" and feels inferior to others. This pattern has persisted since early adulthood and is present across all social contexts. He is lonely and distressed by his isolation. What feature MOST differentiates avoidant personality disorder from social anxiety disorder?