Schizoid personality disorder, or schizoidy, is defined by social isolation associated with a disinterest in social relationships. Unlike other personality disorders, contact with reality is preserved. Psychological follow-up can allow the person concerned to open up to others.

Definition of schizoid personality

A vast debate surrounds the schizoid personality. Its assimilation to psychopathology is disputed. Originally, it was seen as a natural tendency of a person to attach more importance to the inner life than the outer world. This disinterest in social relationships was not considered a personality disorder at the time.

Over the years, work on the schizoid personality has led to its assimilation to a personality disorder. Schizoid personality disorder, or schizoidy, can be described by the following characteristics:

• a social isolement;
• a disinterest in relational life;
• an overinvestment of the inner world (animated by imaginary relations);
• a preserved contact with reality.

In view of its characteristics, schizoid personality disorder can in a way be considered a mild disorder. It is to be distinguished from more serious disorders such as schizotypal personality disorder and schizophrenia. These two disorders are characterized by social isolation like schizoid personality disorder but are also accompanied by a loss of contact with reality.

Causes and risk factors

The exact origin of schizoid personality disorder remains difficult to establish. However, its development would be closely linked to significant and early traumatic experiences.

Diagnosis of schizoid personality

Schizoid personality disorder is usually diagnosed by a psychologist. The person must present at least 4 of the manifestations listed below:

• no seeking affection for close relationships, including family relationships;
• seeking and adopting solitary activities;
• a significant or even total disinterest in sexual relations;
• a pleasure felt for rare activities, sometimes for none;
• no close friends or confidants, except parents;
• a remarkable indifference to both the praise and criticism of others;
• emotional detachment, giving the impression of a “cold person”.

The diagnosis can be difficult to confirm. Some of the manifestations of schizoid personality disorder can be easily confused with other disorders such as depression.

People affected by schizoid personality

Schizoid personality disorder is currently poorly documented. The figures are lacking but it seems that it concerns men more frequently than women. It would appear quite early in childhood and continue to evolve into adolescence and adulthood.

Typical characteristics

The schizoid personality can be expressed in different ways. The person concerned can be:

• folded in on itself;
• distant;
• introvertie;
• non-competitive;
• autonomous;
• solitaire ;
• cold;
• hypersensible.

The affected person tends to have few or no friends and to prefer solitary activities. She refuses conflict with others and generally avoids any contact with others. She is not very talkative, exhibits emotional coldness and shows little interest in intimate relationships whether sexual or not. She seems “to be in her bubble” and prefers to practice activities of an intellectual or concrete nature.

Associated disorders

Schizoid personality can sometimes be associated with other disorders such as:

• social phobia;
• anxiety episodes;
• depressive episodes.

The management of the schizoid personality is psychological. It consists in bringing the patient to open up to others and to exercise group activities. The success of therapy is highly dependent on the goodwill of the person concerned.

Research continues to better understand the schizoid personality. When faced with a child or a loved one who isolates himself socially, it is recommended to seek the advice of a health professional. An early diagnosis can rule out the hypothesis of more serious disorders, and increase the success of the therapy.