Schizoid personality disorder (SPD)

[Blue]

Schizoid personality disorder (SPD) is a cluster A personality disorder characterized by a lack of interest in social relationships, a tendency towards a solitary lifestyle, and emotional coldness. SPD is reasonably rare compared with other personality disorders. Its prevalence is estimated at less than 1% of the general population
According to the ICD-10, schizoid personality disorder is characterized by at least four or more of the following criteria:
Emotional coldness, detachment or reduced affection.
Limited capacity to express either positive or negative emotions towards others.
Consistent preference for solitary activities.
Very few (if any) close friends or relationships, and a lack of desire for such.
Indifference to either praise or criticism.
Taking pleasure in few, if any, activities.
Indifference to social norms and conventions.
Preoccupation with fantasy and introspection.
Lack of desire for sexual experiences with another person.
Case example: A 48-year-old man presents to a primary care physician because of a one-week history of symptoms consistent with pneumonia. Since this is the patient's first visit to the clinic, the physician gathers a full history for a new patient assessment. The patient has no significant past medical, surgical, or psychiatric history. Family history is significant for a brother and an uncle with paranoid schizophrenia.
Social history reveals that the patient lives alone, has minimal contact with family, and describes no real social activities or friends. When questioned about this, he states, "I've never been much interested in my family or being around people." He has worked delivering newspapers for the past 15 years. He has not dated since having one girlfriend in the 11th grade. During interview, though he seems emotionally detached, he denies depressive symptoms or psychotic symptoms.
Diagnostic criteria (DSM-IV-TR)
The DSM-IV-TR, a widely used manual for diagnosing mental disorders, defines schizoid personality disorder as:
A. A pervasive pattern of detachment from social relationships and a restricted range of expression of emotions in interpersonal settings, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by four (or more) of the following:
neither desires nor enjoys close relationships, including being part of a family
almost always chooses solitary activities
has little, if any, interest in having sexual experiences with another person
takes pleasure in few, if any, activities
lacks close friends or confidants other than first-degree relatives
appears indifferent to the praise or criticism of others
shows emotional coldness, detachment, or flattened affectivity
B. Does not occur exclusively during the course of Schizophrenia, a Mood Disorder With Psychotic Features, another Psychotic Disorder, or a Pervasive developmental disorder and is not due to the direct physiological effects of a general medical condition.
DSM-IV, which is an earlier version of DSM-IV-TR, does say that a person with Schizoid Personality Disorder may feel sensitive to the opinions of others and may even feel lonely but can not do anything about the loneliness due to the disorder.

Info Source, Links and more info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schizoi...ality_disorder

[Jennifer]

I believe that schiziod personality disorder is an old term.You are describing Aspergers Syndrome or high-functioning autism.

[SecretSchizoid]

I believe that schiziod personality disorder is an old term.You are describing Aspergers Syndrome or high-functioning autism.

You are wrong.

[Ranjeet]

hhtyhthyhtyhyythhyh

[urlelove]

People with a schizoid personality are introverted, withdrawn, and solitary. They are emotionally cold and socially distant. They are most often absorbed with their own thoughts and feelings and are fearful of closeness and intimacy with others. They talk little, are given to daydreaming, and prefer theoretical speculation to practical action. Fantasizing is a common coping (defense) mechanism.