Understanding Schizoid Personality Disorder (SPD or SzPD): Causes, Symptoms, and Management

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Schizoid Personality Disorder (SPD or SzPD)

by Alike Medical Team ∙ Updated on June 13, 2023

Additional names

This group contains additional names: - Schizoid Personality - Schizotypal Personality Disorder

General

Schizoid personality disorder is one of a group of conditions called "Cluster 'A' " or eccentric personality disorders. People with these disorders often appear odd or peculiar. People with schizoid personality disorder also tend to be distant, detached, and indifferent to social relationships. They generally are loners who prefer solitary activities and rarely express strong emotion. Although their names sound alike and they might have some similar symptoms, schizoid personality disorder is not the same thing as schizophrenia. Many people with schizoid personality disorder are able to function fairly well, although they tend to choose jobs that allow them to work alone, such as night security officers, library, or lab workers.

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Signs & symptoms

People with schizoid personality disorder often are reclusive, organizing their lives to avoid contact with other people. Many never marry or may continue to live with their parents as adults. Other common traits of people with this disorder include the following: - They do not desire or enjoy close relationships, even with family members. - They choose solitary jobs and activities. - They take pleasure in few activities, including sex. - They have no close friends, except first-degree relatives. - They have difficulty relating to others. - They are indifferent to praise or criticism. - They are aloof and show little emotion. - They might daydream and/or create vivid fantasies of complex inner lives.

Diagnosis

After a physical exam to help rule out other medical conditions, a primary care provider may refer to a mental health professional for further evaluation. Diagnosis of schizoid personality disorder is typically based on: - Thorough discussion of symptoms - Symptoms listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association - Medical and personal history

Treatment

People with this personality disorder rarely seek treatment, because their thoughts and behavior generally do not cause them distress. When treatment is sought, psychotherapy -- a form of counseling -- is the form of treatment most often used. Treatment likely will focus on increasing general coping skills, as well as on improving social interaction, communication, and self-esteem. Because trust is an important component of therapy, treatment can be challenging for the therapist, because people with schizoid personality disorder have difficulty forming relationships with others. Social skills training also can be an important component of treatment. Medication is generally not used to treat schizoid personality disorder itself. Medications might, however, be prescribed if the person also suffers from an associated psychological problem, such as depression.

Note

☝ We provide information on prescription and over-the-counter medicines, diagnosis, procedures and lab tests. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

National Institutes of Health ∙ World Health Organization ∙ MedlinePluse ∙ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

☝ All information has been reviewed by certified physicians from Alike

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