Schizoid Personality Disorder

This personality disorder is characterized by restricted emotional reactions and social indifference. This withdrawal and detachment from others is not motivated from fear, or discomfort, but by true disinterest in other people. This Personality Disorder is 3.5 times more common in men than in women.

Schizoid personality disorder can be confused with autism spectrum disorders, such as Asperger's syndrome, which also often include a lack of interest in social interaction.

I was on bail, having been charged with bank robbery, and had spent the previous month on the criminal ward of the New Hampshire State Hospital where I had also been examined and diagnosed; and my parents were seeking a second opinion.

At my trial the State's Psychiatrist testified that I had Schiziod Personality Disorder which the State claimed was not really insanity. When my counsel illicited the information that the State's witness had actually only interviewed me for about fifteen minutes during the month, the jury bought my defense diagnosis and I was found "not guilty by reason of insanity".

If the judge was to commit me for treatment, it would have to be to the New Hampshire State Hospital criminal ward under the care of the doctor who'd testified that I wasn't insane, so he released me!

I think the State's doctor was right.

DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for schizoid personality disorder:

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:

1. neither desires nor enjoys close relationships, including being part of a family
2. almost always chooses solitary activities
3. has little, if any, interest in having sexual experiences with another person
4. takes pleasure in few, if any, activities
5. lacks close friends or confidants other than first-degree relatives
6. appears indifferent to the praise or criticism of others
7. 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.
Associated features: Odd/Eccentric/Suspicious Personality
Note: If criteria are met prior to the onset of Schizophrenia, add "Premorbid," e.g., "Schizoid Personality Disorder (Premorbid)."

Description from ICD-10:

Personality disorder characterized by at least 3 of the following:

(a) few, if any, activities, provide pleasure;
(b) emotional coldness, detachment or flattened affectivity;
(c) limited capacity to express either warm, tender feelings or anger towards others;
(d) apparent indifference to either praise or criticism;
(e) little interest in having sexual experiences with another person (taking into account age);
(f) almost invariable preference for solitary activities;
(g) excessive preoccupation with fantasy and introspection;
(h) lack of close friends or confiding relationships (or having only one) and of desire for such relationships;
(i) marked insensitivity to prevailing social norms and conventions.

Excludes:
- Asperger's syndrome
- delusional disorder
- schizoid disorder of childhood
- schizophrenia
- schizotypal disorder

Use of cannabis and LSD is quite common as self-medication.