|
According to the DSM IV, symptoms of schizoid personality
disorder are a continuous pattern of detachment from social relationships,
a very restricted range of expression or emotion in personal or
work settings. This usually begins in early adulthood. It is seen
in a variety of different contexts. According to the DSM IV, a person
needs to meet four of the following criteria:
- Neither desires or enjoys close relationships, including being
part of the family.
- They almost always choose solitary activities.
- Little or any interest in sexual experiences with individuals.
Their pleasures are minimal.
- They clearly lack close friends.
- They are very indifferent to praise or criticism, and have
very little affect or response to that.
- They are clearly emotionally cold, aloof and detached.
In order to meet this diagnosis, individuals must not also be suffering
from another major Axis I diagnosis such as schizophrenia, or psychotic
disorder.
Causes of Schizoid Personality Disorder
There are many theories regarding what contributes to a full blown
schizoid personality disorder. These are only theories, and no founded
research is available, only speculation. One can draw some conclusions,
however. It is clear that traumas in one’s life, in early
childhood or adolescence, and family dysfunction may precipitate
the onset of social isolation and fear of social interaction. However,
there is not one causative factor that has been singled out. One
can reasonably assume that personality disorders, including schizoid,
is clearly a protective mechanism to protect oneself and one’s
ego from being hurt or damaged.
Treatment of Schizoid Personality Disorder
Medications have not been of benefit in treating schizoid personality
disorder. However if associated with some psychosis, some anti-psychotic
mediations have been helpful. These individuals are usually devoid
of anxiety, and do not present with anxiety-like symptoms. Long
term individual therapy is helpful in trying to focus on and instill
some optimism in their lives. At times it has been helpful to actually
audiotape a therapy session with these individuals on their release,
and have the tape played back to them, especially in terms of their
interpretation of their affect. They usually have a very minimal
range of affect.
Schizoid personality disorder remains a very difficulty disorder
to treat, and remains in the shadows of psychiatric diagnoses.
|
