Understanding Schizoid Personality vs Autism Spectrum

Schizoid personality disorder falls under cluster A of the personality disorders. Cluster A disorders are characterized as odd or eccentric. The three personalities in this group are Schizoid, Schizotypal and Paranoid.

Schizoid personality is defined as follows:
It’s 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.

The social impact of this personality can cause occupational problems because of the way that you interact with people. A person with schizoid personality would be best suited for a job where you can work alone with minimal supervision. Working with the team is the last thing you need to do. Because of your aloofness in relationships, family members may reject you.

Sometimes autism spectrum disorder can look very much like schizoid personality. Autism spectrum disorder is a brain development disorder where there are delays in your brain development beginning in childhood. This causes difficulties with social interaction, communication and repetitive behaviors. Often people with autism spectrum will have impaired sensory processing. So they may be hypersensitive to certain sounds or textures. It’s a spectrum illness because the degree to which a person is impaired ranges from low functioning to high functioning.

Want to know more about mental health and self-improvement? On this channel I discuss topics such as bipolar disorder, major depression, anxiety disorders, attention deficit disorder (ADHD), relationships and personal development/self-improvement. I upload weekly. If you don’t want to miss a video, click here to subscribe.

Disclaimer: All of the information on this channel is for educational purposes and not intended to be specific/personal medical advice from me to you. Watching the videos or getting answers to comments/question, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you have your own doctor, perhaps these videos can help prepare you for your discussion with your doctor.

Unlock your A-Game!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *