People who suffer from Schizoid personality disorder may often come off as detached, whether from activities or others around them. The disorder is characterized by a solitary lifestyle, apathy, and a detachment and lack of interest in relationships whether social, romantic, or family. With symptoms starting in late childhood or adolescence, those who suffer from this disorder can seem cold, withdrawn, and indifferent. Due to this, many have difficulties maintaining relationships with people, finding it easiest with a partner who makes few demands on them. Many people who suffer from Schizoid personality disorder often find it easier to build relationships on an intellectual basis rather than an emotional one as it allows them to approach the relationship on their own terms and not those of others. Those who suffer from this disorder have expressed a feeling that the world is simply passing them by, observing it from a distance as if they are living inside a shell. In order to be formally diagnosed with Schizoid personality disorder, someone has to be suffering from four or more of the following symptoms separately from a diagnosis of schizophrenia, bipolar, or depressive disorder.
Neither desires nor enjoys close relationships including but not limited to family
- Almost always chooses solitary activities
2. Has little to no interest in sexual activities with another person
3. Takes pleasure in few if any activities
4. Lacks close friends or confidants other than those directly related to them
5. Appears indifferent to praise or criticism
6. Show emotional coldness or detachment
Unfortunately, due to the nature of this disorder and the fact that people suffering from it rarely seek out treatment, this disorder is poorly studied amongst psychologists. Rarely encountered in the clinical setting, the exact causes of Schizoid personality disorder are unknown, but it is generally believed to be a mixture of biological and environmental factors. Like the other cluster A personalities, it appears to be more common in people with a family history of schizophrenia and schizotypal personality disorder, with some studies showing a 50 to 59% chance of inheriting the disorder if a direct family member also has it. Unfortunately, the exact causes are not the only thing unknown due to the lack of study on this disorder. Psychologists are unsure how effective psychotherapy or medication are in treating the disorder. Medication is not generally used for the treatment of the disorder itself, though may be used to treat products of the disorder such as depression. Talk therapy treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy may not be as effective at treating Schizoid personality disorder as with other disorders as many people with Schizoid personality disorder have a difficult time forming a working relationship with a therapist. With this being said, if you believe that you or a loved one has this disorder, considering reaching out to a therapist for a diagnosis and treatment. People who suffer from Schizoid personality disorder often suffer from other disorders including but not limited to anxiety, depression, and other personality disorders. Even with the lack of study on treatments for Schizoid personality disorder, there are treatments readily available for the other disorders. Everyone deserves to live their best life and reaching out to a therapist may be the first step towards yours.
