Schizoid Personality Disorder

What is schizoid personality disorder?

People who have schizoid personality disorder do not want relationships with other people. It's not that they hate people, they just prefer to be alone. They have a lot of trouble expressing emotions.

How does it occur?

Schizoid personality disorder usually starts in the late teen years. The risk is increased if someone in the family has schizophrenia. The exact cause of this disorder is not known. Experts think it may be caused by differences in the brain or nervous system. It might also be related to problems in the family such as financial stresses, death of loved ones, mental illness, or abuse. For example, people who were often rejected or abused as a child might have learned to avoid people as a way to protect themselves.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of this disorder include:

• not wanting or enjoying close relationships, including being part of a family
• not having strong emotions
• almost always choosing to be by themselves
• having little, if any, interest in having sex with another person
• not taking pleasure in activities
• lacking close friends
• not caring about praise or criticism from others
• seeming detached, unresponsive, or emotionally cold

How is it diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider or therapist will ask about your symptoms and examine you. He or she may also:

• give you a personality test
• suggest lab tests to rule out medical problems
• make sure medicines are not causing or increasing your symptoms
• rule out other mental health problems

If you have 4 or more of the symptoms listed above and they interfere with your life, you may be diagnosed with this disorder.

How is it treated?

Psychotherapy can help you see yourself more clearly. It helps you recognize the effects of your behavior on others. This can help you change behaviors that get in the way of living a satisfying life.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a way to help you identify and change thoughts you have that are not realistic. CBT can make you aware of unhealthy ways of thinking. It can also help you learn new thought and behavior patterns.

Medicine is usually not prescribed to treat this disorder, unless you also have symptoms of major depression or anxiety.

When should I seek help?

If your symptoms are seriously interfering with your daily life, seek help from your healthcare provider or a mental health professional. Without treatment this disorder will be lifelong.

For more information, contact the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) or Mental Health America (formerly the National Mental Health Association or NMHA).

• NAMI's toll-free number is 1-800-950-NAMI. The Web site address is http://www.nami.org.
• Mental Health America's toll-free Information Center number is 1-800-969-6642. The Web site address is http://www.NMHA.org.