Schizoid Personality Disorder
Schizoid personality disorder is a type of personality disorder in which people avoid social activities and stay away from interaction with others. It affects more males than females. Such person may have high proportion of internal fantasy. These people are seen as loners with social and emotional detachment. They do not have meaningful relationships though they somehow manage their daily life. The cause of schizoid personality disorder is unknown.
Symptoms
- Prefer to be alone
- Appear as cold, dull and indifferent
- Lack of social skill and difficulty in giving social responses
- Lack of meaningful relationships including sexual
- Unable to experience pleasure
- Unable to express feelings
- May underperform though may have high creativity
Causes
Exact cause of schizoid personality disorders is unknown. Both genetics and environment factors may play role. Child abuse and neglect or broken families may be the risk factor.
Diagnosis
This involves clinical assessment and investigation. Other similar conditions must be ruled out. One must meet criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) published by the American Psychiatric Association that it must includes four or more of these characteristics:
- One neither desire nor enjoy close relationships including family.
- One almost always chooses solitary activities.
- One has little, if any, interest in sexual experiences with another person.
- One take pleasure in few, if any, activities.
- One doesn’t have any close friends or confidants other than first-degree relatives.
- One seems not to care about praise or criticism.
- One seems emotionally cold, detached or unexpressive.
Treatment
- Medications
- Psychotherapy
- Group therapy
- Holistic Management
