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Schizoid Personality Disorder

 
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Schizoid personality disorder is a disorder whereby an individual avoids social interactions and consistently withdraws from interaction with others. Individuals with schizoid personality are usually loners and lack the ability to interact with others or form any type of constructive relationship. Individuals with schizoid personality disorder usually appear as aloof with a dry humor and are alone in a social environment. These individuals have very limited range of emotions, have a flat affect and usually remain indifferent to the surrounding environment. Most have little desire to experience sex, have very little to say, lack motivation, underperform and appear dull or boring to others. However, the inner life of these individuals is full of turmoil, confusion, ambivalence and wanting some type of emotional comfort. When given a chance to develop a relationship, these individuals quickly feel suffocated and retreat.

Like most personality disorders, the cause of schizoid personality is a mystery. Factors that increase risk include child abuse, having emotionally detached parent(s) or childhood neglect.

The cause of schizoid personality disorder is unknown. Schizoid personality may be seen early in life and peaks around adolescence. Both genders are affected but the disorder is slightly more common in males. The majority of individuals with this personality live a quiet solitary life, living in a family basement and work late night shifts where they do not have to interact with others. One important feature to understand about this personality is that unlike schizophrenics, they do not experience delusions, paranoia or psychotic episodes. These individuals may have a slow speech but usually do not say anything that is bizarre or odd.

Individuals with schizoid personality rarely seek professional help and only come to attention after legal or social problems. Schizoid personality suffers are at a great risk for developing drug addiction, depression, anxiety, panic or social phobia. Many of these individuals are naïve, are prone to victimization and often are preyed upon by others. These individuals always underestimate ill intentions of others and are often physically and emotionally hurt.

The treatment of schizoid personality is difficult as most individuals are non compliant or have trouble interacting with the therapist. There are no specific medications but some may require anti psychotics to help reverse the flat emotion. Some may benefit from group therapy because it provides social support. Early intervention in childhood may help diminish problematic behaviors in a few individuals but by far, the majority continue to worsen.

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EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I'm a 26 year old woman, and I've had Schizoid Personality "Disorder" for as long as I can remember. All it means is that I'm an extreme introvert. I don't believe at all that this should be classified as a "disorder", as I'm perfectly content with being alone. Perhaps the only distressing aspect is the lack of motivation (as is any other emotion), as this makes it difficult for me to escape my under-achiever rut. I work solitary night shifts to avoid my coworkers as much as possible, and don't want friends or family - there's nothing wrong with this. And another thing I take issue with in this article is the suggestion that Schizoids are "naiive" - I know a few other Schizoids from online forums, and I can say we're quite a cynical and self-aware bunch, much more so than the general population from my observation, so I don't know what evidence you're basing this claim on.

May 23, 2017 - 3:51am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Individuals with schizoid personality are characteristically detached from social relationships and show a restricted range of expressed emotions.
Paranoid personality disorder

May 29, 2011 - 11:41pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Hi,
This is one of the most misunderstood disorders. If one looks at the issues underlying, as well as the person in context of their experience, a much richer and more hopeful understanding can be seen. The causes of this disorder have been much understood and explained, they're no mystery actually, ... check out: www.selfinexile.com

July 13, 2010 - 1:37pm
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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.

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