Schizoid Personality Disorder

Imagine you wake up one day and you are not able to connect emotionally with anyone, you do not feel any emotions that strongly, you feel you are detached from the entire world. What seems like a far-fetched imagination to us is the reality of the people having Schizoid personality disorder. Personality disorders are when a person consistently shows or expresses characteristics or behaviours that are not in alignment with the expected normal. These behaviours cause them and the people around them distress and create hindrances in daily functioning.  

Schizoid is one of the personality disorders where a person struggles to form emotional bonds with anyone around them. They like to stay isolated. They often come out as detached and lonely to others. They even struggle with feeling good or bad emotions as intensely as others. The disorder is classified under cluster A in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Even though the name of the disorder may sound similar to Schizophrenia it is not the same. The disorder is approximately found among 3.1 to 4.9 of the population in both men and women.  

Let’s take a closer look at this disorder. The article delves deeper into the symptoms, causes, diagnostic criteria and treatment of schizoid personality disorder.  

What are the Symptoms of Schizoid personality disorder? 

One of the persistent symptoms of Schizoid personality disorder is distance and lack of interest in forming and maintaining relationships. Some of the other symptoms that you might notice in someone who has schizoid personality disorder are – 

• Choosing to do activities that are antisocial in nature: The people having schizoid may prefer activities that require less or no social interaction like reading, writing or taking long walks alone. They do not do this to show revelation or because they are cold. They do this because they genuinely prefer being alone. 
• Doesn’t like to form intimate relationships with anyone: People having Schizoid do not like to form close relationships or friendships. They do not do this out of fear. They do this because they do not see the value in them. Their disinterest in forming bonds leads them down the spiral of isolation and loneliness.  
• Doesn’t feel any emotions with too much intensity: Another key symptom of schizoid personality disorder is limited emotional range. These people might not feel both positive and negative emotions with much intensity. For example – they would not feel overjoyed after winning a big lottery or deep grief if a loved one leaves them. This makes them look like a cold-hearted and aloof person.  
• Has almost none or very little sexual desires: People having schizoids do not show much interest in sexual activities. They do not experience any strong sexual desires. This also makes it difficult for them to form an intimate bond with anyone.  
• Are indifferent to any praise or criticism: As they do not experience emotions that strongly, they are also indifferent to any praise or criticism. They do not feel confident and happy when someone praises them for something or feels bad if anyone criticizes their work. This comes out as disinterest in participating in societal norms or indifference towards people’s opinions of them.  
• They have difficulty in expressing their emotions: People having schizoid might find it hard to express their emotions. This might cause misunderstandings and miscommunications in their relationships. Their tone, and body language might make the other person feel they are disinterested. This takes them further away from social relations.  
• They come off as cold and loners: Their difficulty in forming or maintaining intimate bonds, difficulty in expressing emotions or even not feeling emotions intensely differentiate them from everyone else. They do not relate to the rest of the world. This makes them prefer living more isolated and alone. People often mistake this isolation for indifference or rude behaviour.  

What are the Diagnostic criteria for the disorder? 

As of today, there is no specific test available to diagnose Schizoid. The doctors rely on the self–reported symptoms of the patient and observations. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, a person is diagnosed  with Schizoid Personality disorder if he shows – A consistent pattern of detachment from social relationships and a limited range of expression of emotions in interpersonal relationships, beginning by early adulthood and  present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by four (or more) of the following:  

1. Takes pleasure in few, if any, activities. 
2. Almost always chooses solitary activities.  
3. Appears indifferent to the praise or criticism of others.  
4. Shows emotional coldness, detachment, or flattened affectivity.  
5. Lacks close friends or confidants other than first-degree relatives.  
6. Has little, if any, interest in having sexual experiences with another person. 
7. Neither desires nor enjoys close relationships, including being part of a family.

Does not occur exclusively during schizophrenia, a bipolar disorder or depressive disorder with psychotic features, another psychotic disorder, or autism spectrum disorder and is not attributable to the physiological effects of another medical condition. It is important to consult a healthcare professional and seek advice.  

What are the Causes of schizoid personality disorder? 

The research has not yet found a specific cause for Schizoid personality disorder.  However certain Genetic factors do play a role in schizoid personality disorder. A family history of mental disorders or schizophrenia also seems to affect the onset of the disorder. Other than that environmental factors like lack of emotional intimacy during childhood, and children who were neglected and detached may have contributed to the development of the disorder.  

What are the Risk factors of the disorder? 

Some of the factors that might increase the risk of schizoid personality disorder include –

• Having a family member or relative suffering from schizophrenia, schizoid personality disorder schizotypal personality disorder or schizophrenia. 
• Developmental issues like premature birth, malnutrition, low weight during birth
• No emotional support from parents in childhood.  
• Experiencing traumatic situations like abuse  
• Having a neglected childhood  
• Alcohol or substance abuse  
• Head or brain injuries.  

These factors might increase the risk of a person developing schizoid personality disorder  

Read More: Childhood Trauma – High Time to Rewire Your Brain!

How is Schizoid different from Schizophrenia? 

Other than the similarity in the name of both of the disorders, both of these disorders are different from each other in several ways. Although the symptoms like difficulty in making social connections and limited emotional range are similar in both.  

• People having Schizoid personality disorder are in touch with reality, unlike the ones with schizophrenia. They do not have hallucinations like in schizophrenia. 
• They do not have problems with speech. People having schizophrenia have problems with clear speech, but this does not happen in schizoid personality disorder. They speak meaningful words even if their tone might not be enthusiastic.  
• People having schizoid personality disorder do not get paranoid or have unrealistic beliefs like someone is planning to kill them, which happens in schizophrenia. 
• Schizoid might not affect the daily functioning of the person as severely as schizophrenia.  

Living with Schizoid personality disorder  

Relationships are something that keeps us going forward in our life. Friends, family, colleagues even mere acquaintances play a part in our lives. But schizoid takes away this important part of our life. The disorder keeps people away from forming any social bonds of any type with anyone. It has a great impact on a person’s life. People with schizoid personality disorder do not feel emotions as intensely as everyone else.

This means that they might not feel pain and sorrow as strongly, but that also means that they do not feel joy and happiness as deeply as everyone. Imagine looking at the world and not relating with anyone. This is what people having schizoid personality disorder feel like. This ability to feel that we take so much for granted might start to feel like a superpower. This may make them fall deeper into the spiral of loneliness and isolation.  But with the help of the right treatment from professionals, it can get better.  

What are the Treatment and management options for schizoid personality disorder? 

Seeking treatment might not be as easy as it sounds for people going through Schizoid  Personality disorder. However, the right treatment can greatly improve their life quality. One of the treatment options for Schizoid includes psychotherapy. Psychotherapy also known as talk therapy assists people in knowing their troubled thoughts, emotions and behaviours. The professionals also show a way towards change and help in achieving it. Types of Psychotherapy that can lend a hand in recovering from Schizoid personality disorder include: 

Family therapy

Even if only one person has the disorder it tends to affect the entire family.  Family may not always know how to handle or manage the person. They might know the right way to show their support to that person. Therapy aids in that. It also helps the family if any of their behaviour is triggering the person.  Family therapy improves communication and increases trust between families. 

Read More: What is Family Therapy and how it works? 

Group therapy

In a group therapy setting, a group of people discuss their issues under the guidance of a trained psychologist.  Group therapy is helpful for people suffering from schizoid personality disorder as it improves and helps them develop social skills. Talking with people who too are struggling might generate the feeling that you are not alone. Group therapies also teach about the dynamics of interpersonal relationships better.

Read More: Group Therapy: Aim, Benefits and Types

Cognitive behaviour therapy

Cognitive behaviour therapy also popular as CBT is a type of psychotherapy. CBT  aids in making people understand their disruptive thoughts and emotions that might be impairing their daily functioning. CBT focuses on bringing a positive change in people’s thought processes and behaviour.  In the case of schizoid personality disorder, CBT can help in restructuring the wrong thoughts about relationships that the person may have. Cognitive behaviour therapy also aids in increasing the emotional range of the person. It is important to note that psychotherapies may take a little time to show effect. It is necessary to be patient and trust the process.

Read More: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: Concepts, Types & Techniques

How to support someone having Schizoid personality disorder  

People having Schizoid personality disorder might not see and feel the world in the same way as everyone else.  

It might get difficult caring and supporting the person with schizoid. Here are certain tips that might help you take care and support them in the right way.  

• Keep patience: If you know someone going through schizoid try and be patient with them. Do not get angry or upset if they do not match your expectations. Support them without  asking for anything in return  
• Do not judge: Avoid giving your judgment when someone with schizoid is sharing something with you. Avoid telling them what they should feel and how they should react to certain situations. Value their feelings without putting them on the scale of right and wrong.  
• Make yourself aware: If you know someone that has schizoid personality disorder try and educate yourself more about the condition. This would make you better understand what the person is going through and give you better ways to help them in recovery.  
• Adjust your expectations: A person having schizoid might not be able to meet the expectations of the other person in any relationship. Understand and keep realistic expectations from them. Communicate with them and tell each other what are your expectations from each other. This will help you deal better with difficult situations and strengthen relationships.  
• Encourage them to seek treatment: Seeking treatment might not be easy for the person having schizoid. Encourage them to seek treatment from the professionals. Your support and encouragement will motivate them and lend a hand in their recovery. 

Schizoid personality disorder is a mental disorder that takes a toll on the life of a person. He finds it difficult to develop and maintain meaningful interpersonal relationships. They might not be able to fully feel or express any emotions. Due to their limited social contact, they might find it difficult to ask for help. Their isolation prevents them from holding any job or relationship for a long time. Proper diagnosis and treatment from mental health professionals might help in improving the condition and increase the quality of life.  

Mental health problems don’t define who you are. They are  something you experience. You walk in the rain and you feel the  rain, but you are not the rain.

Matt Haig

FAQs  

1. What does personality disorders mean?  

Personality disorders are consistent patterns of traits or behaviour that do not fit in the standard of society. These behaviours cause distress to the person and people around them and also create problems in daily functioning. Some examples of personality disorder include – narcissistic personality disorder,  avoidant personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, etc. 

2. What does schizoid personality disorder mean? 

Schizoid is a mental disorder where a person is unable to form emotional social connections with anyone around them. They also have difficulty in feeling and expressing emotions.  

3. What are the symptoms of Schizoid personality disorder?  

Some of the symptoms to identify schizoid personality disorder are – inability to connect emotionally with anyone, difficulty in expressing emotions, preferring isolated activities, not feeling overjoyed by praise or sadness by criticism, etc.  

4. What are the causes of schizoid personality disorder?  

The one specific cause for schizoid is not yet known however family history of mental disorders, environmental factors like neglected childhood, and lack of emotional intimacy from parents can contribute to schizoid personality disorders.  

5. Is schizoid different from schizophrenia?  

Yes, schizoid and schizophrenia are two different disorders. In schizoid, the person is in touch with reality and does not experience hallucinations. Whereas hallucinations are a common symptom of schizophrenia. People having schizophrenia may have a problem with clear speech which does not occur in schizoid. Another difference is that schizoid might not affect the daily functioning of a person as severely as in schizophrenia. 

6. How do I support someone who has schizoid personality disorder?  

Support plays an important role in the journey of recovery from the disorder.  Some tips for helping someone with schizoid are to be patient, not judge, educate yourself about the disorder, and adjust your expectations.  One of the most important things is to encourage them to seek treatment from a mental health professional.