Schizoid Personality Disorder

DisclaimerThis page is not here to be used as a self-diagnosis, self-identification, or promotion - it's simply here to be informational. Whether or not one self-diagnoses, self-identifies, and/or seeks a professional diagnosis is up to them.

**Schizoid Personality Disorder (ScPD)** is a condition in which individuals avoid social activities and consistently shy away from interaction with others. They also have a limited range of emotional expression. One who has schizoid personality disorder may be seen as a loner or dismissive of others and may lack the desire or skill to form close relationships. Because one doesn't tend to show emotion, they may appear as though they don't care about others or what's going on around them.

## Signs & Symptoms

The main feature of schizoid personality disorder is a consistent pattern of detachment from and general disinterest in forming and maintaining social relationships.

* Difficulty expressing emotions or acting appropriately in emotional situations.
* One prefers to be alone and isolated from others.
* One does not take pleasure in many, or any, activities.
* One has few relationships, including family, friends, or romantic partners.
* One is not affected by or do not notice the emotional distress of others.
* Avoid activities that involve others.
* Appear emotionless, humorless, or indifferent to others.
* One does not desire or enjoy close personal relationships.
* One is disinterested in praise or criticism.

### Diagnosis

For doctors to diagnose schizoid personality disorder, individuals must have a persistent detachment from and general disinterest in social relationships and limited expression of emotions in interpersonal interactions, as shown by at least four of the following:

* They do not want or enjoy close relationships, including those with family members.
* They strongly prefer solitary activities.
* They have little, if any, interest in sexual activity with another individual.
* They enjoy few, if any, activities.
* They have no close friends or confidants, except possibly first-degree relatives.
* They appear to be indifferent to the praise or criticism of others.
* They are emotionally cold and detached and do not express emotions in response to events or interactions with others.

Also, symptoms must have begun in early adulthood.

## Causes

Genes are thought to play a role in the development of schizoid personality disorder. This disorder may be more common among individuals who have family members with schizophrenia or schizoid personality disorder.

Having caregivers who were emotionally cold, neglectful, and detached during childhood may contribute to the development of schizoid personality disorder. Having such caregivers may reinforce the child's feeling that relationships with others are not satisfying.

## References

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/schizoid-personality-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20354414#:~:text=Schizoid%20personality%20disorder%20is%20an,limited%20range%20of%20emotional%20expression

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23030-schizoid-personality-disorder

https://www.msdmanuals.com/en-gb/home/mental-health-disorders/personality-disorders/schizoid-personality-disorder

https://www.sheppardpratt.org/knowledge-center/condition/schizoid-personality-disorder/