Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentOutlook for Schizoid Personality Disorder
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Outlook for Schizoid Personality Disorder
Schizoid personality disorder can be difficult to treat because of social isolation and lack of thorough research on the condition.It is also achronicdisorder, which means it usually does not improve with time.
However, schizoid personality disorder can be managed. Treatment options are available, and they include symptom-relieving medications, therapy, and pursuing detached relationships, such as those in group or intellectual settings.
This article will discuss the symptoms and possible causes of schizoid personality disorder. It also covers diagnosis of the condition and how it’s different from related disorders. Lastly, treatments for schizoid personality disorder are addressed.
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Schizoid Personality Disorder Symptoms
Personality disorders involve repeated behaviors that go against the social expectations of their culture. These behaviors can interfere with work, relationships, and overall fulfillment.
Schizoid personality disorder is part of Cluster A of personality disorders—a subtype that includes characteristics like being cold and distant while finding it difficult to relate to others.What sets schizoid personality disorder apart is a rich inner world and extreme introversion.
The most common symptoms of schizoid personality disorder include:
People with schizoid personality disorder also tend to experience empathy as personal distress rather than empathic concern. This means they can get strong negative feelings from seeing someone else in trouble, but are more likely to retreat than to help.
Daydreaming
Some people with schizoid personality disorder daydream constantly, which helps them escape their surroundings and other people. Importantly, these daydreams are not hallucinations of things that are not there ordelusionsthat completely detach from reality—as daydreams can be with schizophrenia.
What Is Maladaptive Daydreaming and How Can I Stop It?
Causes of Schizoid Personality Disorder
There aren’t yet any clear known causes of schizoid personality disorder. However, there are life circumstances and biological factors that can contribute to the condition’s development.
Childhood Abuse
People with schizoid personality disorder are more likely to have experiencedneglect or abusein childhood, including:
A person who was abused as a child might associate social interaction with rejection and shame, and this can lead to developing symptoms of schizoid personality disorder. Also, childhood sexual abuse can increase the chances of wanting to avoid closeness with people while also finding it difficult to feel emotions fully.
Prenatal Risk Factors
There are risk factors for schizoid personality disorder that occur before birth. These include:
Biological Risk Factors
Schizoid personality disorder has been linked to other biological risk factors:
Traumatic Brain Injury
Head injury can slightly increase the chance of developing schizoid personality disorder, especially when the impact is around thefrontal lobe,limbic system, andparietal lobe—all of which are brain regions that help you feel physical sensations and process your emotions.
How Schizoid Personality Disorder Is Diagnosed
Diagnosing schizoid personality disorder can be difficult because of its isolating nature and the need for a specialist to observe a person for a long period. A person’s cultural and social background, genetic and brain factors, and the similarities between symptoms of schizoid personality disorder and other mental health conditions also have to be considered.
7 Diagnostic Criteria of Schizoid Personality DisorderAccording to the American Psychiatric Association’s “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” (DSM-5), there are seven criteria for a schizoid personality order diagnosis:Lack of social interestTendency to self-isolateLittle or no interest in sexual experiences with other peopleLittle interest in activitiesA lack of closeness with anyone who is not familyNo reaction to praise or criticismColdness and detachment, or a “flat” affect
7 Diagnostic Criteria of Schizoid Personality Disorder
According to the American Psychiatric Association’s “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” (DSM-5), there are seven criteria for a schizoid personality order diagnosis:Lack of social interestTendency to self-isolateLittle or no interest in sexual experiences with other peopleLittle interest in activitiesA lack of closeness with anyone who is not familyNo reaction to praise or criticismColdness and detachment, or a “flat” affect
According to the American Psychiatric Association’s “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” (DSM-5), there are seven criteria for a schizoid personality order diagnosis:
Overlapping Symptoms of Schizoid Personality Disorder and other Disorders
Schizoid Personality Disorder vs. Schizotypal Personality Disorder
Schizoid personality disorder can be confused withschizotypal personality disorder. The two disorders are similar in symptoms of introversion and fear of closeness.
Schizoid Personality Disorder vs. Schizophrenia
People with schizophrenia may also isolate themselves, but importantly, they struggle with telling what’s real and what’s not. Schizophrenia includes hallucinations (like hearing voices that aren’t there), intense paranoia, and finding it difficult to process information and communicate.Schizoid personality disorder is far less severe because it doesn’t lead people to disconnect from reality.
Many risk factors of schizoid personality disorder and schizophrenia overlap, and it is possible for people with schizoid personality disorder to develop schizophrenia later in life.
Difficulty Diagnosing Schizoid Personality Disorder
Diagnosing schizoid personality disorder can be difficult because those with the disorder tend to isolate themselves. This can make it difficult for a healthcare provider to observe them long-term to determine if they express symptoms of the disorder. Also, forming a relationship with a psychotherapist might not seem appealing to someone who prefers to avoid personal connection.
People with schizoid personality disorder tend to avoid diagnosis and treatment, but considering the greater risk ofsuicidethat is associated with the condition, it’s advised they get help.
Choosing the Right Therapist
Treating Schizoid Personality Disorder
Schizoid personality disorder is often underdiagnosed and left untreated, but medications to manage symptoms, therapy, and group activities might help.
What Is a Support Group?
Schizoid personality disorder is a chronic condition, and it’s likely to persist throughout a person’s life. Studies have shown that symptoms remain stable over time.
People with schizoid personality disorder typically continue to find social interactions difficult. They neither enjoy nor desire close relationships with friends, family, and romantic or sexual partners. As a result, people with schizoid personality disorder often choose to be on their own.
Summary
Diagnosing schizoid personality disorder can be a difficult task considering its self-isolating nature. Also, a person’s cultural environment and other disorders with similar symptoms can also complicate diagnosis.
No specific treatment for schizoid personality disorder exists, but medication to address symptoms, therapy, group activities, and managing social expectations can help. Schizoid personality disorder is a lifelong disorder; but with some patience and resolve, management is possible.
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21 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Schizoid personality disorder.Li T.An overview of schizoid personality disorder. Atlantis Press; 2021:1657-1663. doi:10.2991/assehr.k.211220.280MedlinePlus.Personality disorders.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Personality disorders.Sparrow Health System.Schizoid personality disorder.Hengartner MP, Ajdacic-Gross V, Rodgers S, Müller M, Haker H, Rössler W.Fluid intelligence and empathy in association with personality disorder trait-scores: exploring the link.Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2014;264(5):441-448. doi:10.1007/s00406-013-0441-0Köse SS, Erbaş O.Personality disorders diagnosis, causes, and treatments.Journal of Transplantation. 2020;5(2):022-031. doi:10.5606/dsufnjt.2020.013Martens WHJ.Schizoid personality disorder linked to unbearable and inescapable loneliness.The European Journal of Psychiatry. 2010;24(1):38-45. doi:10.4321/S0213-61632010000100005National Institutes of Health.Preterm labor and birth: condition information.Han Y, Deng W, Lei W, et al.Association between the 2D:4D ratio and schizophrenia.J Int Med Res. 2020;48(6):030006052092914. doi:10.1177/0300060520929148Levi-Belz Y, Gvion Y, Levi U, Apter A.Beyond the mental pain: a case-control study on the contribution of schizoid personality disorder symptoms to medically serious suicide attempts.Compr Psychiatry. 2019;90:102-109. doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2019.02.005Booules-Katri TM, Pedreño C, Navarro JB, Pamias M, Obiols JE.Theory of mind (Tom) performance in high functioning autism (Hfa) and schizotypal–schizoid personality disorders (Sspd) patients.J Autism Dev Disord. 2019;49(8):3376-3386. doi:10.1007/s10803-019-04058-1MedlinePlus.Autism spectrum disorder.Borroni S, Masci E, Franzoni C, Somma A, Fossati A.The co-occurrence of trauma related disorder and borderline personality disorder: aq study on a clinical sample of patients seeking psychotherapy treatment.Psychiatry Research. 2021;295:113587. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113587NHS.Complex PTSD - Post-traumatic stress disorder.MedlinePlus.Schizotypal personality disorder.MedlinePlus.Schizophrenia.Esterberg ML, Goulding SM, Walker EF.Cluster A personality disorders: schizotypal, schizoid and paranoid personality disorders in childhood and adolescence.J Psychopathol Behav Assess. 2010;32(4):515-528. doi:10.1007/s10862-010-9183-8StatPearls.Schizoid personality disorder.d’Huart D, Seker S, Bürgin D, et al.The stability of personality disorders and personality disorder criteria: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Clin Psychol Rev. 2023;102:102284. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2023.102284Cook ML, Zhang Y, Constantino JN.On the continuity between autistic and schizoid personality disorder trait burden: a prospective study in adolescence.J Nerv Ment Dis. 2020;208(2):94-100. doi:10.1097/NMD.0000000000001105
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Schizoid personality disorder.Li T.An overview of schizoid personality disorder. Atlantis Press; 2021:1657-1663. doi:10.2991/assehr.k.211220.280MedlinePlus.Personality disorders.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Personality disorders.Sparrow Health System.Schizoid personality disorder.Hengartner MP, Ajdacic-Gross V, Rodgers S, Müller M, Haker H, Rössler W.Fluid intelligence and empathy in association with personality disorder trait-scores: exploring the link.Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2014;264(5):441-448. doi:10.1007/s00406-013-0441-0Köse SS, Erbaş O.Personality disorders diagnosis, causes, and treatments.Journal of Transplantation. 2020;5(2):022-031. doi:10.5606/dsufnjt.2020.013Martens WHJ.Schizoid personality disorder linked to unbearable and inescapable loneliness.The European Journal of Psychiatry. 2010;24(1):38-45. doi:10.4321/S0213-61632010000100005National Institutes of Health.Preterm labor and birth: condition information.Han Y, Deng W, Lei W, et al.Association between the 2D:4D ratio and schizophrenia.J Int Med Res. 2020;48(6):030006052092914. doi:10.1177/0300060520929148Levi-Belz Y, Gvion Y, Levi U, Apter A.Beyond the mental pain: a case-control study on the contribution of schizoid personality disorder symptoms to medically serious suicide attempts.Compr Psychiatry. 2019;90:102-109. doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2019.02.005Booules-Katri TM, Pedreño C, Navarro JB, Pamias M, Obiols JE.Theory of mind (Tom) performance in high functioning autism (Hfa) and schizotypal–schizoid personality disorders (Sspd) patients.J Autism Dev Disord. 2019;49(8):3376-3386. doi:10.1007/s10803-019-04058-1MedlinePlus.Autism spectrum disorder.Borroni S, Masci E, Franzoni C, Somma A, Fossati A.The co-occurrence of trauma related disorder and borderline personality disorder: aq study on a clinical sample of patients seeking psychotherapy treatment.Psychiatry Research. 2021;295:113587. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113587NHS.Complex PTSD - Post-traumatic stress disorder.MedlinePlus.Schizotypal personality disorder.MedlinePlus.Schizophrenia.Esterberg ML, Goulding SM, Walker EF.Cluster A personality disorders: schizotypal, schizoid and paranoid personality disorders in childhood and adolescence.J Psychopathol Behav Assess. 2010;32(4):515-528. doi:10.1007/s10862-010-9183-8StatPearls.Schizoid personality disorder.d’Huart D, Seker S, Bürgin D, et al.The stability of personality disorders and personality disorder criteria: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Clin Psychol Rev. 2023;102:102284. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2023.102284Cook ML, Zhang Y, Constantino JN.On the continuity between autistic and schizoid personality disorder trait burden: a prospective study in adolescence.J Nerv Ment Dis. 2020;208(2):94-100. doi:10.1097/NMD.0000000000001105
MedlinePlus.Schizoid personality disorder.
Li T.An overview of schizoid personality disorder. Atlantis Press; 2021:1657-1663. doi:10.2991/assehr.k.211220.280
MedlinePlus.Personality disorders.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Personality disorders.
Sparrow Health System.Schizoid personality disorder.
Hengartner MP, Ajdacic-Gross V, Rodgers S, Müller M, Haker H, Rössler W.Fluid intelligence and empathy in association with personality disorder trait-scores: exploring the link.Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2014;264(5):441-448. doi:10.1007/s00406-013-0441-0
Köse SS, Erbaş O.Personality disorders diagnosis, causes, and treatments.Journal of Transplantation. 2020;5(2):022-031. doi:10.5606/dsufnjt.2020.013
Martens WHJ.Schizoid personality disorder linked to unbearable and inescapable loneliness.The European Journal of Psychiatry. 2010;24(1):38-45. doi:10.4321/S0213-61632010000100005
National Institutes of Health.Preterm labor and birth: condition information.
Han Y, Deng W, Lei W, et al.Association between the 2D:4D ratio and schizophrenia.J Int Med Res. 2020;48(6):030006052092914. doi:10.1177/0300060520929148
Levi-Belz Y, Gvion Y, Levi U, Apter A.Beyond the mental pain: a case-control study on the contribution of schizoid personality disorder symptoms to medically serious suicide attempts.Compr Psychiatry. 2019;90:102-109. doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2019.02.005
Booules-Katri TM, Pedreño C, Navarro JB, Pamias M, Obiols JE.Theory of mind (Tom) performance in high functioning autism (Hfa) and schizotypal–schizoid personality disorders (Sspd) patients.J Autism Dev Disord. 2019;49(8):3376-3386. doi:10.1007/s10803-019-04058-1
MedlinePlus.Autism spectrum disorder.
Borroni S, Masci E, Franzoni C, Somma A, Fossati A.The co-occurrence of trauma related disorder and borderline personality disorder: aq study on a clinical sample of patients seeking psychotherapy treatment.Psychiatry Research. 2021;295:113587. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113587
NHS.Complex PTSD - Post-traumatic stress disorder.
MedlinePlus.Schizotypal personality disorder.
MedlinePlus.Schizophrenia.
Esterberg ML, Goulding SM, Walker EF.Cluster A personality disorders: schizotypal, schizoid and paranoid personality disorders in childhood and adolescence.J Psychopathol Behav Assess. 2010;32(4):515-528. doi:10.1007/s10862-010-9183-8
StatPearls.Schizoid personality disorder.
d’Huart D, Seker S, Bürgin D, et al.The stability of personality disorders and personality disorder criteria: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Clin Psychol Rev. 2023;102:102284. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2023.102284
Cook ML, Zhang Y, Constantino JN.On the continuity between autistic and schizoid personality disorder trait burden: a prospective study in adolescence.J Nerv Ment Dis. 2020;208(2):94-100. doi:10.1097/NMD.0000000000001105
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