SCHIZOID PERSONALITY DISORDER
Humans are very interesting creatures and come with unique markers in all psychological ranges - some of which are what we refer to as personality disorders. These are long term, inflexible, dysfunctional behavioral patterns that manifest to the external environment in various ways. It is a deviation in thought pattern, it is neither good nor bad, it just is. I wanted to focus on Schizoid Personality Disorder (SPD) in this post since I find it an interesting topic. This Cluster A personality disorder consists of a routine pattern of social relationship detachment and isolation, which falls well under the Cluster A vibes of eccentric and unusual thought patterns and behaviors. In the DSM-5, SPD is characterized by a pervasive pattern of social and interpersonal deficits marked by acute discomfort with, and reduced capacity for, close relationships as well as by cognitive or perceptual distortions and eccentricities of behavior. This can cause a slew of defense mechanisms to be put in place such as utilizing ‘introversion’ in order to avoid the psychological discomfort interactions may bring since these types often are unaware of their unusual behavioral patterns and how they fit in to society. Other Cluster A personality disorders include Paranoid Personality Disorder, defined as having an extreme distrust of others and believe others are trying to harm them, and Schizotypal Personality Disorder, which define those who have a distorted views on reality and are uncomfortable by close relationships.
SPD individuals exist with stigma around them as they are seen as abnormal to the public since they do not stick to the status quo, as they sang about in High School Musical. Luckily, in this day and age, there has been more acceptance around the stigmas around these types of personality disorders. People who have this disorder have difficulties engaging socially, which derives from this special recipe of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. Individuals with family history of SPD behavioral patterns influence the brain chemistry and physiological structure on the individual, which affect personality traits that develop in early childhood experiences. If abhorrent events occur in development such as experiencing attachment issues like neglect, emotional coldness, or lack of nurturing caregivers, even physical or emotional abuse in early development affects the ability for those with SPD to express emotion and social interactions due to having to exist in a toxic environment during development and beyond. Typically those in such an environment lack the education of how to healthily process emotion since healthy coping mechanisms are not demonstrated in traumatizing households. Theories suggest that SPD can develop as a defense mechanism toward perceived threats and emotional pain. The chaos of the environment can become overwhelming to the child and overstimulate the developing system, then emotional detachment and general withdrawal takes place, causing an antisocial pattern of behavior. Through detaching, the individual avoids emotional involvement and are able to protect themselves from rejection and general vulnerability where they can only rely on themselves. Emotional flatness is a safe space for individuals with this disorder. It is important to note as well that no single factor is likely to cause SPD alone, but it is though to be the result of a combination of genetic, biological, psychological, and environmental influences. For treatment to be effective, it is crucial to understand the interplay of each of these factors.
The DSM-5 criteria for Schizoid Personality Disorder are as follows:
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 four (or more) of the following:
1. Neither desires nor enjoys close relationships, including being part of a family.
2. Almost always chooses solitary activities.
3. Has little, if any, interest in having sexual experiences with another person.
4. Takes pleasure in few, if any, activities.
5. Lacks close friends or confidants other than first-degree relatives.
6. Appears indifferent to the praise or criticism of others.
7. Shows emotional coldness, detachment, or flattened affectivity.
These symptoms must not occur exclusively during the course of schizophrenia, a bipolar disorder or depressive disorder with psychotic features, another psychotic disorder, or autism spectrum disorder, and must not be attributable to the physiological effects of another medical condition. To diagnose Schizoid Personality Disorder, it is essential to confirm that these traits are stable over time and consistent across different situations. These traits significantly impair social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
Those with this disorder typically do not reach the same degree of loneliness that others might encounter when living a solitary and emotionally detached lifestyle as their lifestyle preferences do not cause them distress. However, therapy can be beneficial in order to learn how to manage distressing social interactions they may find in work or the dreaded social environments which involve teamwork. Options such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and psychodynamic therapy along with the addition of medication for co-occurring conditions, self-help strategies for lifestyle adjustments, and creating a support system can help treat and manage the effects of SPD.
Overall those with SPD are those one man wolf pack types that thrive in solitude due to a variance of genetic factors, neurobiological factors, early childhood experiences and personality development, and psychological factors. It is important to refer to a professional if you or someone you know has this disorder and not go around self-diagnosing, especially with this style of disorder. Having a professional evaluation gives the individual an opportunity to ensure an accurate diagnosis, receive personalized treatment, and access to comprehensive care. This enhances the overall quality of life and reduces stigma around the disorder.
If you would like more information, the link below will lead you to an article published by Kamron Fariba and team on the topic of Schizoid Personality Disorder:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559234/
