Is a pattern of indifference to social relationships, with a limited range of emotional expression and experience.
Schizoid Personality Disorder may sound similar to someone being schizophrenic. Yet, this disorder is not the same at all, although it may have the same underlying genetic architecture.
Here is more on Schizoid Personality Disorder Treatment. What it is, what causes it, and how it is typically treated.
According to Psychology Today:
A Schizoid Personality Disorder is a pattern of indifference to social relationships, with a limited range of emotional expression and experience. People with Schizoid Personality Disorder rarely feel there is anything wrong with them. The disorder manifests itself by early adulthood through social and emotional detachments that prevent people from having close relationships. People with it are able to function in everyday life, but will not develop meaningful relationships with others. They are typically loners and may be prone to excessive daydreaming as well as forming attachments to animals. They may do well at solitary jobs others would find intolerable.
While there is no way (at this time) to determine what causes this disorder, a family history of schizophrenia or family members on that spectrum suggests it is possible for genetic susceptibility.
The environment is another area that experts believe may have an effect on those with this disorder. People who grew up without warmth and emotion or those with a bleak childhood may be susceptible to Schizoid Personality Disorder.
Both are relevant to nature vs nurture and how this affects our psyche.
There are a few distinct symptoms caused by Schizoid Personality Disorder including:
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The problem is as mentioned prior, people with Schizoid Personality Disorder often don’t realize that they even have a problem. This is why treatment is often overlooked by the person with the disorder. To them, this is simply how things are and there is nothing wrong with them. Yet, this disorder often causes problems in their life with both work and relationships.
While this disorder affects more men than women, it is actually rare. Is that because people with the condition don’t seek treatment since they believe nothing is wrong? That is very likely indicative of why the disorder is rare or seems like it is rare. In fact, its prevalence in the general population is between 3.1 and 4.9 percent.
According to Psych Central:
A personality disorder is an enduring pattern of inner experience and behavior that deviates from the norm of the individual’s culture. The pattern is seen in two or more of the following areas: affect; cognition, interpersonal functioning; or impulse control. The enduring pattern is inflexible and pervasive across a broad range of social or personal situations. It usually leads to significant distress or impairment in work, social, or other areas of functioning. The pattern is stable and of long duration, and its onset can be traced back to adolescence or early adulthood.
There is not a lot of research on treating this disorder and there is a reason for that. People with Schizoid Personality Disorder do not have the desire to be close to others and they do not typically find jealousy in others who do have close relationships.
There are medications sometimes given to people who suffer from this disorder but it is usually for extreme anxiety rather than the disorder itself. This anxiety may be caused by the fear of people, in fact.
What is helpful is individual therapy. Yet, this is something that requires trust from the person with Schizoid Personality Disorder. What is important is that if the patient forms a bond with their therapist, this is the start in trusting others and forming a long-term relationship – something they lack.
With that said, long-term psychotherapy is not necessarily the answer. Instead, addressing the person’s present stressors and concerns is the start of treatment. For instance, cognitive restructuring addresses symptoms like irrational thoughts. These thoughts, although clear and precise, affect the patient’s behaviors, especially when it comes to relationships.
A psychiatrist or psychologist usually diagnoses this disorder. The determination is made based on specific criteria that must be present. As mentioned before, people with this disorder usually only seek help for other factors related to the disorder. Or in some cases, when the disorder has significantly affected their life.
There are no genetic test, blood tests, or lab work that diagnoses Schizoid Personality Disorder. It is only based on seeing a mental health professional.
At Transformations Treatment Center, we are a mental health and addiction treatment facility. A customized plan of action is tailored for each patient to address what they need to help them. We don’t believe in cookie cutter treatment and we don’t believe in a quick fix. Instead, we focus on the individual and what it is that will aid them in their recovery.
There is a variety of treatment options including individual counseling. Other treatments include experiential treatment as well as holistic treatment options.
