Schizoid Personality Disorder – Causes and Treatment

September 24, 2024

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Schizoid Personality Disorder – Causes and Treatment

What is Schizoid Personality Disorder?

It is important to understand that Schizoid Personality Disorder (ScPD) is a mental health condition. People with this condition, show disinterest in social relationships. This forms a consistent pattern and such people have a limited range of emotions and find it difficult to express their emotions.

It is easy to misunderstand that people with Schizoid Personality Disorder are keeping to themselves and rejecting people. People with ScPD may not be interested or unable to form close friendships or even romantic relationships. This is because they are unable to show emotion towards others and it appears that they do not care about people around them. Such people may also seem distant, aloof, and disengaged.

Personality disorders involve long-lasting, disruptive patterns of thinking, behaviour, mood and relating to others. People with personality disorders have behaviour patterns that are inflexible and often lead to social issues and distress.

Symptoms of Schizoid Personality Disorder

A person with Schizoid personality will:

Not enjoy close relationships with people, even family members
Like to be left alone and do most activities alone
Have little or no desire for sexual relationships
Do not express emotions or react
Is indifferent to praise or criticism by others
Chooses activities and jobs that are solitary in nature
Lack humour and are cold towards others

Schizoid Personality Disorder often begins when one is a young adult however, some symptoms may be apparent even in childhood. People with ScPD normally don’t do well in school, at work on in social situations. However, when left alone, they may do extremely well.

Causes of Schizoid Personality Disorder

A person’s personality is a blend of thoughts, emotions and behaviour. How you view, understand and relate to the outside world defines your personality. Personality starts forming at a young age and is shaped by a blend of your surroundings and genes from your parents.

A lot is left to be understood about personality disorders and especially ScPD. The exact causes are not fully known however it is believed that the following causes lead to the development of ScPD.

Genetic factors: Although researchers are not very sure, some believe that there may be a genetic connection between schizophrenia and schizoid personality disorder. Also, since some symptoms of the autism spectrum disorder resemble that of ScPD, it is believed that there maybe a genetic connection between the two.
Environmental factors: It is believed that when people come from environments that lack emotional nurturing, coming from emotionally cold, neglectful, and detached caregivers, they are likely to develop ScPD.

Impact of Schizoid Personality Disorder

People with ScPD live a life of solitude and do not have a need for social ties. They mainly maintain ties with only first-degree family members. They do not appear to derive satisfaction from being part of a family or social group. Such people minimize contact with others and might avoid dating. In social situations, they see themselves as observers rather than participants. Thus they do not form close relationships.

Treatment Options

ScPD is still being researched, however, there are a few treatment options that are available for treating ScPD. Generally, personality disorders are treated using psychotherapy (talk therapy). However, people with ScPD often distance themselves from emotional experiences, hence they may not be motivated to change. However, it is believed that the following therapies help people with ScPD.

Family therapy: Many times it the family members who bring a person with ScPD for therapy. It may be beneficial to understand the family expectations or address any behaviours in the family that could be causing and worsening the person’s withdrawal.
Group therapy: This is a form of psychotherapy where a group of people discuss their problems under the supervision of a therapist. Such a setting may help a person with ScPD develop their social skills.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT): This type of therapy is very structured and goal-oriented. A therapist helps you take a closer look at your thoughts and emotions and understand how they affect your actions. In the case of a person with ScPD, the therapist will explore their distorted expectations and perceptions about their relationships with others.

Coping and Support

Treatment can help manage the symptoms of ScPD and help individuals live and cope with the situation. It is important for family to care for them and not argue with them. Since they find it difficult to express their emotions, be patient with them. Set your boundaries and expectations out very clearly.

Avoid judgement and acknowledge and value their feelings. Avoid telling them that they are being overly sensitive. A person with ScPD is already living with their condition and therefore dealing with other people’s misconceptions about them will make things more difficult for them. Instead learn more about the condition and encourage the person to take treatment. People with ScPD are unlikely to seek out treatment for themselves.

Conclusion

The biggest complication of ScPD is the lack of social connection. Such people must find ways to function effectively in life even without forming relationships. However, people with ScPD cope better than people with other disorders and can still function and keep a job. Diagnosis and treatment will help the person perform better and the family and others to understand their behaviour.