Schizoid personality disorder is one of three personality disorders (the others are paranoid and antisocial PD). Diagnostic criteria in the latest edition of the DSM; dislike or unwillingness to enter into close relationships, including with family members; preferring activities in which they can be alone, showing little or no interest in intimacy with another person; little or no pleasure in activities, no close friends or confidants other than immediate relatives; ignoring external praise and reproaches; it was determined as being emotionally cold and disconnected or having a monotonous affect (APA, 2013). According to ICD-10, another international diagnostic guide for schizoid PD, fantasizing, being alone, and preferring to focus on one’s inner world; It is expressed as not communicating with the outside world, especially emotionally and socially, having a limited capacity to express emotions and enjoy.
The most prominent feature is being disconnected from foreign relations, being closed, being out of touch, feeling separate or alien, everything is blurry or unreal, not feeling oneself with people or losing the meaning of life, losing interest, everything seems empty and meaningless. The inability of schizoids to participate in reciprocal give-and-take relationships is immediately recognizable. They remain quite impersonal and ‘peripheral’ in in-group interactions, seeming to be immersed in their preoccupations in their own world of meaning. It is difficult for them to even mix with others at social events. In places such as school or workplace, where they enter into compulsory relations with others, they maintain their social communication “for the sake of formality”, formally and impersonally. The way they look at themselves is: “I am a person who contradicts his environment, so I don’t need anyone.” “I am not related to anything.” Their view of the world is as follows: “Life can be difficult and damaging. One should trust no one and stay away from others so that one can protect oneself…”
Its origins are attributed to wrong parental attitudes between the ages of 1-3. The fact that the parent does not give enough time and attention to the child, does not talk to the child, does not make eye contact, does not play, does not provide services that will feed the child emotionally, such as trying to make him laugh are effective in his development. In summary, it is decisive that the parents do not show their love.
Since schizoid personality disorder can be confused with the following disorders, differential diagnosis should be made:
- schizotypal personality disorder
- avoidant personality disorder
- paranoid personality disorder
- Asperger’s syndrome
- Autism
The prevalence of schizoid PD in the general population was found to be 3.13% according to the study conducted by Grant et al. (2004) in the USA. Hummelen, Pedersen, Wilberg, and Karterud (2015) reported that the frequency of schizoid PD was significantly higher in men than in women in a study they conducted with a clinical sample. In a study conducted with adolescents in Turkey, the prevalence rate was found to be 3.75% (Bilge and Bilge, 2019). According to DSM-5 (APA, 2013), the incidence of schizoid PD in men is slightly higher than in women, and it may cause more dysfunction in men.
People with schizoid personality disorder rarely seek a solution because their thoughts and behaviors are usually not a problem for them. However, if the person wants their problem to be solved, psychotherapy is applied for these people. These therapy methods mainly focus on issues such as coping skills, improving social interaction, communication and self-esteem. Confidence is very important in therapy. People with schizoid personality disorder have a hard time relating to other people, which is an extra challenge for therapists. Social skills training is also important as a complement to the therapy process.
