Schizoid Personality Disorder
Primer
Schizoid Personality Disorder is a personality disorder characterized by a pervasive pattern of detachment from social relationships and a restricted range of expression of emotions in interpersonal settings that begins by early adulthood. These individuals often appear to be socially isolated or “loners,” and do not desire intimacy.
Epidemiology
Prognosis
Individuals may be impaired in occupational settings, especially in situations where interpersonal relationships are required.
Individuals may have few friendships, date infrequently, and often do not marry, due to lack of social skills and lack of desire for sexual experiences.
-
Comorbidity
Risk Factors
DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria
Criterion A
A pervasive pattern of detachment from social relationships and a restricted range of expression of emotions in interpersonal settings, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by 4
(or more) of the following:
Neither desires nor enjoys close relationships, including being part of a family
Almost always chooses solitary activities
Has little, if any, interest in having sexual experiences with another person
Takes pleasure in few, if any, activities
Lacks close friends or confidants other than first-degree relatives
Appears indifferent to the praise or criticism of others
Shows emotional coldness, detachment, or flattened affectivity
Criterion B
Psychopathology
Individuals with schizoid personality disorder may use defenses such as repression, suppression, isolation of affect, and displacement.
Differential Diagnosis
-
The social isolation in avoidant personality disorder is attributable to fear of being embarrassed or being found inadequate. Individuals with avoidant personality have excessive anticipation of rejection, while individuals with schizoid personality disorder have more pervasive detachment and little to no desire for social intimacy.
-
-
-
Schizoid personality disorder must be distinguished from personality change due to another medical condition, in which the traits that emerge are attributable to the effects of another medical condition on the central nervous system (e.g. -
traumatic brain injury).
Treatment
Psychotherapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy and psychodynamic therapy can be effective. Patients with schizoid personality can be introspective and over time may be able to build trust with a therapist to reveal schizoid fantasies. Group therapy may also be helpful, but patients may require protection from the aggression of other group members.
Recommended Reading
Buy on Amazon
PsychDB is an Amazon Associate and earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you for supporting our site!
Guidelines
Personality Disorder Guidelines
Guideline | Location | Year | PDF | Website |
World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) | International | 2009 | - | Link |
Resources
For Patients
Articles
Research
3)
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA.
4)
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA.