Personality disorders make people think and act much different than it is considered to be normal or usual. These patients don’t think there is anything wrong with them and because of that, many don’t look for some medical treatment. Since they don’t seek for medical help, it is hard to estimate how common this disorder actually is. It is noticed that personality disorders such as schizoid personality disorder most likely affect younger adults. For some reason, there are more men than women suffering from this problem and it may be associated with some genetic predisposition.
What is Schizoid Personality Disorder?
Schizoid (also sometimes known as eccentric) personality disorders is not a single problem but more a group of similar conditions. To others, these people are peculiar and odd and most of the time distant or detached. They rarely care for social relationships, showing some indifference when it comes to these relations. When choosing the job, these people often seek for something they can do on their own, without much interference with others. These are people who rarely show some intense emotions and in most cases they areloners.
Although the name may sound similar, schizoid personality disorder is different than schizophrenia. Some symptoms may be the same, but these are two different things. A person suffering from schizoid personality disorder usually doesn’t socialize with people and have no close friends. Apart from close relatives they don’t desire any companions and even with them, they don’t want to be too close. These people have problems when relating to others. Their activities are usually limited to something they can do by themselves and there seems to be little what will make them experience some pleasure. They may also be uninterested in sex and usually show very little emotions. Although they could look distant, not reacting to praises or critics, their inner life might be extremely vivid and complex.
The causes of this disorder are not yet known, but many speculate that environmental and genetic factors both have certain role in the development of the problem. In some cases, doctors think that the lack of warmth and emotions in child’s surrounding may be responsible for the schizoid personality disorder later in life.
Diagnosis and Treatment Options
Physical examination and detailed medical history are necessary to determine the proper diagnosis of this condition. Various tests may be included to rule out the possibility of some other medical problems and if the doctor doesn’t find anything physically wrong with the patient he or she might suggest visiting psychologist or psychiatrist to evaluate existing problem.
Counseling is the most common treatment for people suffering from schizoid personality disorder. The patient usually improves his or her communication skills and social interactions, since this is the primary goal of the therapy. Medications may be used if the person is also suffering from depression associated with the disorder.
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