Schizoid Personality Disorder Diagnostic Criteria

Schizoid Personality Disorder

A pervasive pattern of detachment from social relationships and a restricted range of expression of emotion in interpersonal settings, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by four (or more) of the following...

Criterion 1

neither desires nor enjoys close relationships, including being part of a family

– This criteria serves as a fundamental difference between the schizoid personality and nearly all others

– Other personalities can be thought of as solutions to the problem of the core fear of loneliness

• Dependents make themselves lovable and approving

• Histrionics seek attention

• Narcissists seek approval and validation

– The need for closeness that is central to most of us is absent

–Difficult to understand...

Criterion 2

almost always chooses solitary activities

– These individuals are not hostile

• They are simply indifferent

– When approached or acknowledged by others

• Often sense that a response of some kind would be desired

– These individuals

» Don’t know how to respond appropriately

» Have no desire to respond

– This is often times confused with

• Aloofness, condescension, arrogance

– No proclivity to engage others

Criterion 3

has little, if any, interest in having sexual experiences with another person

– Many have a healthy sex drive, but prefer masturbation

• Masturbation or sexual abstinence is preferred to tolerating emotional closeness

– Sex means having to deal with people which is not a preference

Criterion 4

takes pleasure in few, if any, activities

– Affective difficulties characterized by an unwavering absence of feeling

• Restricted ability to experience pleasure of any kind

• Lack of fear, annoyance, anxiety, or curiosity

– Results in a paucity of interests and hobbies

• Presents in monotone speech and unvarying facial expression

– Lifestyles typically lack

• Fascination, immersion, intimacy, and even joy

• Transcendental or peak experiences

– These often require the ability to fuse with something more ultimate than the self

Criterion 5

lacks close friends or confidants other than first-degree relatives

– Central theme: detachment from human relationships

– Relationships are not found to be rewarding

• Seen as aversive, over-stimulating, and confusing

– Neither the want or need for social stimulation

– Often times these individuals find more comfort in the presence of inanimate objects

• e.g. Leonard and his airplanes

Criterion 6

appears indifferent to the praise or criticism of others

– e.g. Leonard and his work performance

• There is little concern for his supervisor’s assessment of his work performance

– Sees little connection or relation to his own happiness

• If terminated

– Leonard would likely go through the motions of getting another job that supports his existence in a basic way

– This is in stark contrast to most other personality styles

Criterion 7

shows emotional coldness, detachment, or flattened affectivity

– This may seem like extreme introversion to many

• The similarity between extreme introverts and schizoid personalities extends only to their asocial nature

• Introverts

– Able to experience and express emotion

• Schizoids

– Recognized for flattened affectivity

– Other personalities are seen as innately expressive, emotional, and social creatures

• The lack of these characteristics leaves the schizoid seeming robotic and mechanical