What is Schizoid Personality Disorder
Schizoid Personality Disorder is a personality disorder marked by a lack of interest in social relationships, an inclination toward an isolated or sheltered existence, secretiveness, mental coldness, isolation, and apathy is a Schizoid personality disorder. Affected people can not develop emotional relationships with others and simultaneously have a vivid and intricate universe of imagination that is purely internal.
What is a schizoid personality disorder?
A Schizoid personality disorder is a psychiatric diagnosis that has similarities to schizophrenia. Signs of this mental illness may include disconnected thoughts, paranoia, and self-isolation.
This personality disorder is characterized by extreme shyness mixed with paranoid qualities including disconnecting thoughts and behaviors.
Schizoid Personality Disorder is a type of eccentric personality disorder. A person with this disorder behaves differently from most other people. This may include avoiding social interactions, or seeming to be aloof or lacking personality. However, people with this disorder are able to function fairly well in society.
Symptoms
For a diagnosis of schizoid personality disorder, patients must have a persistent pattern of:
- Not wanting to be a part of the family nor to be in close relationships
- Always preferring to participate in a single event
- Having little interest in having a sexual experience with someone else
- Enjoying very few activities
- Not having close friends or friends except first degree relatives
- Being indifferent to the praise or criticism of others
- Being emotionally cold and disconnected.
These patients do not seem bothered by what others think of them—whether good or bad. Because they overlook normal social interaction clues, they may seem socially inept, aloof, or self-absorbed. They rarely react (e.g., by smiling or nodding) or show emotion in social situations. They have difficulty expressing anger. Also, they do not react appropriately to important life events and may seem passive in response to changes in circumstances. As a result, they may seem to have no direction in their life.
Treatment Options
Many people choose not to seek treatment because this includes interacting with others. However, treatment can be successful if you have a desire to change.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy can change behavior. It can be a successful treatment for this condition because it teaches you how to change your thoughts and behaviors in social situations. This may change reluctance to pursue social relationships.
- Group therapy is another option that can help you practice your social skills. This will help you become more comfortable in social situations.
- Medication is generally not used unless other treatment methods aren’t working. There are no FDA-approved medications to treat personality disorders. However, medications may be used to treat other conditions that occur with personality disorders, such as depression or anxiety.
Sources : https://www.merckmanuals.com
https://www.psychologytoday.com
Last Updated on December 11, 2022 by Lucas Berg
