Schizoid Personality Disorder | What to Know

In this video, clinical psychologist, Dr. Ramani Durvasula, and MedCircle host, Kyle Kittleson, discuss how to spot the 7 traits of schizoid personality disorder.
00:00 Intro
00:45 1. Disinterest in close relationships
01:25 2. Preference for solitary activities
01:53 3. No interest in intimacy or sexual activity with another person
02:05 4. Enjoyment of few, if any, activities
02:44 5. No close relationships or confidants
02:54 6. Indifference to praise/criticism from others
03:13 7. Emotional coldness & flattened affect
03:37 Treating schizoid personality disorder symptoms
04:23 How to watch this full series
#PersonalityDisorders #MedCircle #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealth #schizoid

[@MedCircle]

Get instant access to the rest of this series on schizoid personality disorder HERE: *bit.ly/3uwnkeJ*

[@malajiim8879]

Examples of schizotipical personalty disorders

[@pandemicneetbux2110]

@@malajiim8879 Yeah very much this please and also speaking of which why is schizoid, schizotypal, and schizophrenic even lumped together? I'm kinda confused why they even try and cluster delusional psychotic type schizophrenia with catatonic though.

[@pandemicneetbux2110]

Oh also hey by the way, why and how does this relate to Aspergers, autism, and psychopathy? Why are they so different, and do any of the same brain structures get involved in their dysregulation?

[@leighsaldivar4439]

Prayers

[@aviv312]

I've been diagnosed with SzPD both by my psychiatrist and my psychologist. It's a misconception that we NEVER crave closeness or intimacy. we sometimes do. However, getting too close to people tend to provoke feelings of intense irritability and violation, thus we distance ourselves. This is what Klein refers to as the "Schizoid dilemma" - can't feel safe when you're too close but you also eventually feel so lonely when distancing yourself.

[@Hawkent]

This has been my experience as well.

[@dankhill6851]

I have SzPD I've legitimately forgotten about closeness and intimacy for the past 11 years, thanks for reminding me these 2 concepts exist! No Joke.

[@sarahseeman9790]

Exactly. The dsm is wrong

[@tofolcano9639]

Anyone who says they don't want or crave it are just lying to themselves, I know from experience. That irritability and frustration I think comes from not being able to communicate the way we picture in our heads how a conversation should go and we don't know how to express emotions in a way that doesn't seem forced. Talking is like trying to play a song you know very well in an instrument that you don't know how to play. Any insecurity and anxiety related to our social skills or any attitude of indifference or apathy towards socializing are both actually just coping mechanism to avoid social interactions because when we have social interactions we are reminded of the uncomfortable fact that we're not properly wired up for that (yet). Believe it or not accepting that fact reduces the effect of both coping mechanisms which also somehow somewhat improves our social skills, and the more time we practice it the better we get. So far I haven't noticed any diminishing returns.

[@FatBoiaFatCat]

I was going to ask about this but you already answered. I'm relating well to the lists of symptoms and people sharing things, it's a little surreal.

[@1Cyn]

Went to get an ADHD assessment and got diagnosed with schizoid. It fits. I've gotten in trouble at work because of it. They wanted to form a "family" environment and I wanted nothing to do with it. Just do my job and go home. Its annoying cus the outside world is very sociable and I'm not. I'm not shy, I'm not anxious. I rather be alone, just vibing. Sometimes I have to fake it and pretend I care but I really don't. It gets very tiring trying to be a normal person. With the pandemic it actually got more manageable cus I can always order food online and get no contact delivery. I could go days without social interaction and I love it.

[@ryanmiller3918]

I've been looking at this schizoid for a few days now... and I'm honestly starting to realize there's more stuff I don't know about myself. I have been isolating myself after fostercare in 2019 , for the years I've been isolating myself from the only family I have , I don't really have any friends anymore and I don't really ever want to go out anymore. I lost interest in my partner after she would do the worst like kick me out and physically and mentally abuse me. And this is honestly helping me understand myself a bit more because I didn't know what all these mixed emotions were , and for years they just built up making me feel like I only needed to be alone.

[@setraline2863]

Bruh the pandemic saved me socially

[@hissyfitz7890]

The pandemic was a godsend for me; opting out of superficiality of relationships made me feel better.

[@setraline2863]

@@hissyfitz7890 yes lol

[@MarvinMonroe]

Yeah I dont know but not enjoying socializing much isn't necessarily a "disorder". And definitely coworkers are not family and the fact that a boss would try and force employees to all "be a family" makes me think the boss has some type of actual disorder

[@Zuranthus]

the way i describe being schizoid is that emotion is like a language we never learned how to speak, it's not that we don't feel emotions, we just don't act them out, cause emoting is meant to communicate to other people, but when you grow up by yourself (neglectful parents) there is no need or use for emotional outbursts, which is why we get over things quickly. also it's not that we don't desire intimate relationships, it's just that being close with people, aka emoting, makes us really uncomfortable, it feels weird...and the reason you'll never catch a schizoid in therapy is cause we're our own therapists, we literally have nothing better to do than to sit around analyzing our behavior ad nauseam...introspective and highly rational we've already diagnosed ourselves and know exactly what's wrong and why

[@riverd537]

you are accurate...we have emos just dont need to share them with YOU..haha

[@emily7195]

I think I will out philosophise the therapist and drag them down to my way of thinking. It would be unsafe for a therapist to speak with me. Do you over philosophise?

[@nyamwotia5521]

Spot on.

[@harmatkek9959]

Period. Also people need emotional feedback constantly and for us it's very tiring so it's easier just to avoid interactions.

[@rainespells1273]

Bingo. What the lady in the vid is saying is what it seems not what it feels like.

[@Pootycat8359]

She's describing the most extreme manifestations of S.P.D. I was diagnosed wit the condition when I was 16, and I DO exhibit most of those symptoms---but in a MUCH lesser degree than she describes.

[@NoxiousWhat]

Yeah. This felt a lot like boxing up individuals to a single dimension. Oh well.

[@Sonbiii]

She said right off the bat to check out her other Schizoid links below and hasn’t seen much in practice. She’s explaining the bare bones of it.

[@wendi2819]

I believe we're learning every trait is on a spectrum. She's describing something again to a robot. I worked with a man like this once. His affect was very flat. But he knew I liked Red Hot Chili peppers and they were playing near us. He came and told me. God bless him. People teased me for weeks that Fred was my crush. I was touched his most spontaneous human interaction was with me. We reorganized and he could not take the change. He quit a great career that very day. I hope he's ok.

[@PhoenixGoddess4444]

Overt vs covert. There are not very many covert schizoids aka secret schizoids, because the disorder itself doesn’t allow much room for incorporating key people into your daily life. Various things can send a schizoid into a path with a partner and a family, like religious expectations, or not fully understanding why they want this person in their life, but they often can’t stand anything that they do. I am married to a person that is diagnosed as a secret schizoid. We have been together for 35 years and married for 30 with two adult children. The two adult children have abandoned me in their adulthood. Psychological warfare was a big part of the emotional and mental abuse and messed up values with the people that you should be able to trust create so much confusion in them. You may want to compare yourself to the covert schizoid side of things. Only to understand yourself better. Pledge to yourself to still treat others with kindness, no matter what. Especially if you choose to have a partnered relationship.

[@dcpc5980]

I agree. I like interacting with people but nothing beyond chatting with the store cashier or coworkers. I have been married and have a child. I like spending time with my daughter and sometimes my brother but that's about it. It's a spectrum I think.

[@lonerhappy]

1. No interest in social situations. 2. Doing things alone. No intimacy. 3. Anhedonia. 4. Lack of pleasure. 5. Indifferent. 6. Very cold, flat, no show of emotion.

[@lukey3507]

Anhedonia**

[@MMAJOEY69]

3&4 are the same

[@lonerhappy]

@@MMAJOEY69 -mostly to me they all sound the same…Lack of anything….

[@davidperez5089]

Drinking and smoking changes that list for me somewhat but that creates other issues. There's no winning until death I'm afraid.

[@aeris_ezsm]

⁠@@davidperez5089same here. It sucks.

[@1x93cm]

I'm a schizoid. Lifelong I felt like I should relate and connect with other people because thats what I saw other humans doing but I just didn't care. It just wasn't interesting and the times I did it, it just felt like work with zero reward. I wasn't making money, I wasn't getting anything out of it, I just felt like I was wasting other people's time and energy.

[@thelaziestbee]

Ha, exactly. I'm same. I see communication as superficial activity what serves little use. I do have boyfriend thought, but I had been so selective all my life that it has been almost a disorder in it owns right

[@kristinogara7630]

K. Chan and theLaziestbee, thank you for sharing your personal experience with us…

[@ivananechanicka8493]

If you felt like you were wasting other people's time takes you our of the Schizoid realm. You wouldn't care one bit.

[@1x93cm]

@@ivananechanicka8493 its called being polite

[@thelaziestbee]

@@ivananechanicka8493 it's just a matter of fact. It is mostly a waste/waste situation.

[@panelolli]

I had a schizoid service user once, he displayed no emotions, not bodily or facially. He came from a very abusive childhood and he was often in a catatonic state. Schizoids enjoy non conflictive people. If you're the type of person to raise your voice, then you're going to be on their blaclist. nice video.

[@thelaziestbee]

Lol, who on earth do enjoy conflicting, voice rising types 🤣

[@panelolli]

@@thelaziestbee i guess themselves :D

[@thelaziestbee]

@@panelolli self love in its truest form lol

[@fargotua13]

@@thelaziestbee Italians ? :p

[@thelaziestbee]

@@fargotua13 🤣

[@grantmorgan9037]

I have this disorder. I ended up in therapy in order to get a prescription for adderall at the age of 35. I had undiagnosed adhd and had struggled with finishing college. Within three years, I was able to finish my b.a. and get an m.s. in mathematics. I had believed for some time that I also had social anxiety, but upon hearing about schizoid, immediately knew that was me. Some people with schizoid do care about how it affects other people. They can sense the discomfort and awkwardness that others often feel in their presence, especially for some more than others. They will go out of their way to appear normal for unavoidable interactions necessitated by employment. For me the diagnosis was liberating. It answered so many questions about my course in life and allowed me to accept and embrace it. I could stop trying to act like the way I thought I was supposed to.

[@cm-yu6gu]

🙏🙏❤️

[@kaddylady5853]

I feel like after so many bad experiences with narcissistic people that I could become schizoid because the abuse makes me feel like avoiding people all together.

[@Lilcousinbruva323]

You can't just "become" schizoid. It starts with a prodromal phase in which people experience flattening of emotions and indifference to criticism.

[@peaceangel-rl2hf]

I feel the same as you - repeated interaction with narcissists in relationships, family and social friendship has made me very disappointed with other ppl and hesitant to interact with others now. So opposite to how I use to be before all my negative experiences. Have I morphed into being schizoid as a result of experiencing chronic narcissistic abuse my whole life. Having selfish, uncaring, jealous and even psychopathic ppl around me has meant that there is no one I enjoy talking to anymore

[@joeldecoster8816]

@@peaceangel-rl2hf yep, and it is sad as hell. I used to think I was asocial being and love and only see te goodness in people. After 4 kids, bankruptcy and breast cancer, I feel like worthless junk, and avoid people as much as possible because everyone seems like an asshole, and I have become one also. FML , trying to get people to love me. I figure I am unloveable, and all I do is worry and eat myself up about this horrible world we live in, full of hypocrites, ignorant and egotistical. myself included'

[@Shannon_Robbie]

@@joeldecoster8816 It becomes a negative feedback loop. We feel lonely and reach out to people...they treat us poorly...we feel angry...people think we're assholes and avoid us...we feel lonely and try again to reach out to people. Round and round it goes!

[@kaddylady5853]

@@peaceangel-rl2hf I totally relate and thank you so much for sharing. The good news is I talk to myself a lot so I must at least like myself. Lol, that and trying to keep my sense of humor is keeping me going. I also enjoy hanging out with animals, which is funny, when I was younger I would go to bars and clubs. Now it's more like the petting zoo 😉.

[@DavidEdelsohn]

Dr. Ramani does an amazing job with narcissism and NPD because she has a lot of experience with that disorder and is very observant. She has not seen a presentation of Schizoid, so this episode is more a list of the classic symptoms listed in the DSM. As with any personality disorder, Schizoid is on a spectrum and each person is unique. People with Schizoid traits or Schizoid Personality Disorder are more nuanced than the description in this video, just as Dr. Ramani has presented the nuances of narcissism in her wonderful series of videos.

[@streaming5332]

She said she hasn't often seen it.

[@meagiesmuse2334]

Thank you for this. I was confused by the video, since I've known two people diagnosed with this, and they are a lot less severely affected than what she describes here. Both are noticeably different from what we call normal, but one has a partner and a job, though no friends, and the other has no desire for a partner, but has a job working with people, has a couple of friends, and loves her cat.

[@brusselsprout5851]

I wonder if it’s trauma related? I’m far from schizoid but from the outside I probably appear that way. But I have been extremely traumatized in ways most people cannot even imagine. So ?

[@DavidEdelsohn]

@@brusselsprout5851 SPD is a defensive response to trauma, so it's not contradictory.

[@streaming5332]

Someone can simply be withdrawn, but this is not a chronic condition, as schizoid is.

[@nickhowatson4745]

early in my childhood it became obvious to everyone that i was "different" and behaved "abnormally". later in my teenage years i started to become aware of and accepted the fact that i am "different" and "abnormal" which lead to an intense desire to find some answers. over the years i visited and consulted with numerous doctors which was a waste of time and lead nowhere. eventually i was referred to a specialist specializing in personality disorders and after the evaluation, he diagnosed me with Schizoid Personality Disorder because i met all 7 of the diagnostic criteria which only 4 out of 7 is required. i can finally relax after all these years as i finally have gotten all of the answers to why im so "different".

[@TheInsomniaddict]

You may be interested to read Dr. Elinor Greenberg's book on different personality disorders. Schizoid is one of the three covered.

[@yzayrypin3697]

I am unsure if I have a personality disorder, or if I'm just naturally detached and unable to handle emotion, due to possibly Autism and ADD. I've never been diagnosed with anything as I never went to therapy, and if things go my way, I probably never will. As far as I can remember, I've always been a loner. Being alone is my baseline, any contact from the outside world usually feels like a disturbance to me. I don't know if I have ever reached out to another person for the sake of building a relationship. It was always the other party who engaged me and more often than not, I have loathed spending time with them. It's been like this since I was a kid. Others just seemed to always drag me into things that they had fun with, but which weirded me out, although all those activities could be considered "normal" kids stuff. From ages 3 to 12 I had more than 10 "best friends" in a row, and only two of them lasted for as long as a year. Most of these friendships, I have no idea how they ended. Probably, I withdrew too much from them for them to stay invested. It has never been me who invited others to play, chat, or hang out. I only ever accepted these invitations when they arose and regretted it afterwards. Social interaction drains me incredibly fast. I cannot be bothered to listen to anyone for longer than five sentences without spacing out. I also cannot be bothered to speak to anyone for longer than five sentences. People and their lives can seldom hold my attention. I feel a sense of pressure from society to have friends and engage with my family members, but I don't really get anything out of knowing what they're up to and sharing what I'm up to. I must admit, other people's bad news that get shared with me, only annoy me and do not spark sympathy, as those matters call for me to invest time and thought into things that do not concern me. That's probably selfish, but it's the truth. Good news can also easily annoy me for the same reason. If problems do concern me, I'll prefer to deal with them alone. Any satisfaction that I do get out of social interaction, from learning new facts about the world in general, people being amused at my jokes or appreciating my creations, is at most times completely lost in overwhelming boredom and awkwardness. Because of my inability to connect, one of my friends once told me I was a terrible friend. That comment still haunts me to this day and has made me even more averse of seeking any kind of intimacy with others. I don't want to be responsible for making people feel unloved. I don't want to be responsible for anything people do, really. Animals have never interested me enough to make me want to have a pet. For me, the cons of having to consistently care for a living being outweigh the pros. I struggle enough to keep myself fed and entertained, I wouldn't want to neglect another being that is dependent on me. There is enough of that crap in the world. Whenever I wasn't dragged along by someone, I was very much invisible to my peers. Someone from my own class in primary school once asked my if I was in the same year as them. In fifth grade, on the other hand, I was almost infamous among my classmates and teachers for my outstanding reading, spelling and storytelling skills. I developed these by spending the entirety of my day reading. I've always loved stories and fantasising. My parents told me I exhibited a vivid - and sometimes disturbingly morbid - imagination from a very young age on. Stories were and still are my life. Books and movies are the only environment in which I can express myself like a normal human being. I cannot get emotionally invested in real people. Feeling pride, sympathy, hatred or anything else towards someone who I could potentially have a real life interaction with, is near impossible for me. It always gets torn to shreds by my anxiety of being expected to show (appropriate) emotion. Even a heartfelt "Nice to see you" directed at me can throw me off. I can put on a mask of reciprocation if I have to, but a mask is all it is. I do not dread goodbyes, I dread reunions. I prefer my interactions above all things short, and either factual and to the point or silly and full of dumb jokes. Neither forces me to open up about myself or care about someone else. Any hint of emotional tension and I am out. I am lost at how to express affection or anger to someone else. Or any of my worries. Each time that I have done so, my feelings have appeared ridiculous and invalid to me afterwards. I now feel physically unable to "talk it out" with someone. Because of that, I would never seriously think about going to therapy. Even as a random anonymous account online, writing about myself is hard to do. I guess, because I do not know how to deal with someone unloading their problems onto me, I feel uncomfortable unloading problems myself. I use to think my problems are my problems, and no one else's. And often, I convince myself I don't have any problems at all. I have enough money, I am physically healthy, I never went though any kind of trauma, and there are no conflicts in my life as I am talented at avoiding those. In fact, nothing ever happens to me. All I do, is imagining. There is nothing that can keep me as invested as my own fantasy world. I have built sciences, languages and religions inside my head, have brought more characters to life than I know people in the real world and have most likely written more lines of dialogue than I have spoken words out loud in my entire life of 23 years. I use my fictional characters to experience somewhat of a life. They feel more like real people to me than I do. I've gone through phases of feeling so unreal, I wonder if they pass for dissociation. It often seems to me if one takes away my inner world, there is nothing that defines me but the lack of things. Lack of motivation, lack of attention, lack of emotion, lack of sexuality, lack of ideals, lack of success. Lack of success especially bugs me. Everyone my age seems to be going out into the world, starting work, realising themselves, while I stay behind, being held back by nothing but myself. I know I am intelligent and able to excel at things if I put my mind to it, but yet I sit at home, working for minimum wage, unable to figure out my future. I wish I could decide what line of work to pursue, but I dread committing to a job, knowing that I'll probably lose all interest in it after a few years. I feel like I am just not wired the right way for this world. Going through what felt like depression last winter did not help, obviously. I got myself back up to feeling more neutral now, but the bulk of my problems did not change whatsoever. I know that accepting and getting yourself help is a sign of strength. I have not found that strength in me yet. Maybe I will, though, in case I'm forced to do something productive after KZbin explodes because I actually decided to post this novel of a comment.

[@tirididjdjwieidiw1138]

if you want a clear diagnosis, try to see a therapist, especially if it inhibits your ability to go about your day to day life.

[@handsomeblackchad362]

Very relatable post! Social anhedonia is the part where you don't desire nor feel any pleasure for social interaction. Social interaction without any incentive is like labor work. The only difference is -- a job will actually pay you😅 Only time I socialize is to share hobbies, knowledge, jokes or I'm flirting with a person. I mostly use a sense of humor as a defense mechanism to prevent intruders from getting close to me. It's all about trust. Can't trust everybody because there's exploiters in this microcosm we call Earth. Making friends is easy for me. I also have ADHD which makes me very engaging, energetic and charismatic. However, I find that the maintenance part is what I struggle due to my withdrawn and detached nature. I don't really share much with people which leads to thinking "I dislike" them which is far from the truth. It's just I never felt like I needed people to that extent. Alexithymia is the inability to describe or recognize one's emotions. This makes expressing emotions difficult. It helps to have a diary/journal to write down whenever you have random thoughts floating in the cerebral. That's what I do. Realize that you aren't a defunct person. You're just as "human" as the rest of everybody. SPD isn't the whole you, it's just part of us. The world is filled with neurotypicals. The neurotypical society is based on emotional reaction. The trade off of SPD is we can't get emotionally manipulated by other people's reaction. We have a neutral and calm mindset.

[@joeultrums5446]

I have same issue like you but - Point? You didn't try enough things my friend. We live in internet era, and you can make money online from your home via blogging (that's what I do) I'm making 10K per month, good luck ^_-

[@TheMrVogue]

Sounds like you got autism m8, I relate heavily with your post. Thank you for it. You ever get socially anxious despite the disinterest in other people?

[@djr7144]

@@tirididjdjwieidiw1138 a clinical psychologist would be better for an actual diagnosis. Therapists generally don’t diagnose mental health disorders.

[@dutchray8880]

I've met 2 people with schizoid PD. The first was when I worked in corrections; this young man had killed his grandfather over money, and his mother wanted him to have therapy. This poor woman had lost both her father and son. The second was as an outpatient, a high school student who also had ADHD, inattentive type. His pediatrician recommended therapy and had implied that he would discontinue his meds if he didn't start socializing. This kid was academically brilliant and was earning a lot of college credits through advanced placement coursework. I had to tell the pediatrician that the kid will probably never be interested in social relationships, and there's little we can do about it. In both cases, the mothers believed their sons had typical heterosexual interests, which wasn't apparent by a long shot. People with schizoid PD can be sexual but it's not associated with passion; to them it's more like scratching an itch.

[@afqwa423]

"Scratching an itch" is the best way to describe anhedonia. Lack of pleasure doesn't quite describe it right. It's more like you've already had the high, can't recapture the same high and you've been there and done that. You can seek pleasure, you just know it won't do much. Exploring your internal world gives you a long-term consistent form of stimulation, but everything feels flattened and unreal. I can, at times, feel bursts of vivid emotion, but they're temporary and often vicarious. I can sometimes mirror what other people are feeling in brief bursts of concentration. The neurons are firing and you get those _sensations_ in your brain and skin that you normally wouldn't. You know what those are. The butterflies in the stomach. The sensation of your skin crawling. The sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach. The heated flush in your cheeks. The chill down the spine. But those are just highs (or lows) that dissipate rather quickly. I then wonder, is that just how normal people feel _all_ the time? Is that why they bemoan growing distant as they grow apart from old friends? Or if they have to go more than a day without texting their besties? In many cases, you pride yourself in your ability to overmaster emotions that rule others. Horror? Fear? You want that down to a formula you can best by technique. Other people value attachments, but they also make you weak. Attachment is like water. Humans need it, but they are often poor judges of whether they're swilling petroleum-contaminated swill from a pothole or are drinking sparkling mineral water. They lie to themselves and pretend that the healthier water is "true love." But the reality is that your craving for the water is the same in both cases -- it's still love. If you're dying of dehydration, your thirst does not discriminate. And if all you have is the lead-tainted water, and never known anything else, what else would you drink? Relationships trap you compromising moral decisions, chains of reciprocity, tedious obligations or can just be downright toxic. And I think we hermits just skim as much water as we care to from social interaction because we're fussy about the contamination. And if there's some secret Kung-Fu that lets us stride from one end of the Sahara to the other, we're all about that. I don't know if I'm truly schizoid or not. But indifference to praise . . . well, you can't let that go to your head, now can you? Praise is often cheap and the scope of your accomplishments don't reach so far that you can stop the journey. You know flattery is often empty and that pride can often simply become arrogance. Knowing all this, just how much pleasure _can_ you take? The only kind of "nightmares" I have anymore are of disgusting public restrooms. Which probably means that's just the most intense emotion I'm capable of remembering or obsessing over on a consistent basis. Just a prissy low burn feeling of disgust for unsanitary environments.

[@tinalyn5752]

Wow,you described me ever since I was a little girl. I always wanted to be alone,even at school I was there but still managed to not associate with anyone. I enjoy being alone and feel safe being alone. I even love taking trips alone and just going for a walk alone is like heaven to me,I actually enjoy my own company and if someone tries to intrude on that it makes me feel resentful. I never understood why to me being alone never made me feel alone,but it made me feel like I was ok and the thought of having to be around people makes me frustrated. I even work by myself and I love it. I don't do well in relationships because I feel like I don't want to give that person any part of myself and especially sex,it always was something that I felt was a chore I didn't want to do because I just wanted to be left alone. I never had a best friend ever, because I always felt like I was my own best friend. I guess I should give my background from family too. My mom was 14 when she had me and I never knew my dad. My mom was very eccentric and into everything like drugs, drinking,wild parties, prostitution and when I was 6 she told she would be right back that she was going to the store and I never ever saw her again. I was in two foster homes until my maternal grandmother took me in and she was very cold and distant. I have never heard my grandmother tell me she loved me,never even once and she is now 95 and been in a nursing home for 15 years and I have not visited for over 4 years now and I don't have any feelings about her,she feels like an aqantance to me. My birth mom always told me she loved me and was always hugging and kissing my checks and I never resented her for leaving either,I forgave her years ago because she was just a child when she had me.

[@TheebX92]

You are so proud of that

[@Gamerlife-cv2tn]

I have this as well, beside innatentive ADHD. I can relate to your story and I was also abandoned endless times, so I understand you. I learned to count on myself and I love being left alone. Sex is indeed a chore that I hate doing it and I would stay single forever, because I don't need anyone who needs me.

[@nineangels7572]

Same. We don't need anyone.I love having animals though & very good with their care. I made it through my career and love being retired. The work years were draining. Pandemic was a breeze too, love the masking up & no social contact. Can't this be labeled in a more positive light? We aren't hurting anyone.

[@arthurmorgan1621]

Whats your Bodycount?

[@fionagrant2023]

lm so sorry you went through that. l was diagnosed with this as well incorrectly. l chose to be alone rather than be abused. 💔😱😖😞😭😢

[@kayhoover6530]

But are they unhappy? If not, then why is it truly considered a disorder?

[@fartinfpooping8801]

Considering the anhedonia portion, i would assume a person with schizoid pd probably wouldn't be very happy...? I think what makes more sense to point out is the fact that the condition sounds like it might not cause major disruption in the individual's life... but i think there's also unaddressed trauma which might play a part. That's what I'm thinking but I might be wrong so I'll try to keep learning more about it.

[@madderHare]

I'm unhappy. Most of the time I'm really happy. But a lot of the time it really comes down.

[@jessicamarie8299]

we are not happy however we are not sad or feel lonely about it

[@jonasscheuer7639]

we dont truly grasp the idea of genuine true happiness. I feel happy and content but it is a very shallow and short lasting feeling. Its more the feeling of "nothing is wrong and i did good there, thats nice" and i have a subtle feel of happiness throughout a day

[@kerrell95]

Yes but only in the sense that we compare ourselves to others. I see the joy that socialising brings my relatives and it breaks my heart I can never understand that sense of being. I have to pretend weekly that I love my grandparents. What I wouldn't give to truly feel that sense of attachment and love. I feel like I love them but I've experienced a couple of funerals and felt absolutely nothing. I feel no grief. Not because they were bad people or I was raised without the idea of grief. My family are highly empathetic and yet it has never effected how I feel. In a way their empathy has made me realise how broken (schizoid) I am, so I can pretend to be otherwise.

[@ap3008]

Can you do one episode on Avoidant Personality Disorder too? I feel it has many similarities with Schizoid Personality Disorder, but they are different. I often wondered if I am schizoid or just avoidant simply because I don’t recognize in me the need to socialize as much as other people, but at the same time, I can feel empathy and I will engage with people if I see they want to engage or struggle with something. However, I feel in between desiring to spend time alone most of the time and feeling guilty for not giving to others more of my time. I have not kept a connection with any of my past friends, my interactions are very circumstantial.

[@LordxPaesh]

I'm on the same boat. I have BPD but more recently have realized I may also either have AvPD or maybe schizoid but I can't really tell the difference. I know AvPD is described as not having friends but still having the desire for friendships as where schizoid is having no friends and having no desire for friendships. I very rarely genuinely like people so when I meet someone I like, I attempt to interact with them but I don't have the desire to form an actual relationship.

[@ZarihX]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZuThqdvmqmYqas&ab_channel=MedCircle Looking for this?

[@GBBWAR]

im exactly like you. i think social media fills the gap that otherwise would have been filled with friends in the old days when schezoid was classified. and in case of mental conditions as always the most important element is if they impair your functioning day to day, otherwise its not an illness.

[@tresbirch6230]

Diagnosed schizoid here. Can't speak for all of us, but I can say that people are simply not a thing for me. Indifference is a key distinction for schizoid, whereas AvPD is rooted in anxiety (is why it's a cluster C).

[@sputniksweetheart5187]

@@tresbirch6230 Do you ever feel like something is missing in your life? In other words, why did you decide to go to a professional if you don't mind answering. It's interesting, "people are simply not a thing for me". For the vast majority of people, people are a thing - sometimes too much. It sounds like a nice simple life in some ways. Do you like animals ? Sorry for the questions, you don't have to answer obviously. It sounds like there are some big pros lol.

[@Nicolletta13]

I'm a textbook schizoid and I'm pretty sure my mother was too. I see no need to go to therapy since I have absolutely no problem with it.

[@ghenulo]

The therapy comes when people want you to "come out of your shell", which causes depression.

[@spinning78]

I do not avoid people because I want to, I avoid people, relationships, coworkers, etc because I am a very caring and giving person and I have been used and mislead so many times in life that I need to protect myself at this point. Just last week at one of my depression support groups I was made fun of by two other attendees. That's how fucked up this world is and my sanity is fragile and I need to protect it every chance I can.

[@ilovesamyo]

I’m so sorry that happened to you! That’s awful! I was attacked at AA for just sitting there. Two guys came up to me and said I wasn’t a real alcoholic but a “Hollywood” one that sits, doesn’t say anything and judge others. I was stunned. You’d think depression and AA are safe groups, but no. Human nature man….. some people have it in them to kick others when they’re at their lowest. Discernment is forever key.

[@tyr9633]

Thank you for making me feel sane all the time. ✨🖤🌹🖤✨.

[@hughman6431]

I'm pretty damn sure I've got SPD. It describes 30 years of my life, the inner workings pretty perfectly. What you get wrong is your absolutes. It's not an absolute 0 capacity for love or pleasure, it's just these things can be extremely gated / focused / intense. Emotion, similarly, is experienced, it's just intense and typically masked.

[@darkchild130]

It's not that we don't feel emotion, it just never comes out.

[@Drpermer]

I've got the total social isolation, the lack of any intimacy or bond with anyone, the part I don't have is the not caring. At my age, and knowing that I am a mess, it may be easier just to help me form the not caring/not lonely part.

[@railwaychristina3192]

My ex daughter in law told me calmly she hates people and doesn't need them. She has isolated her family from outsiders and won't let her children have friends in for tea, won't them join any clubs or stay at friends. She never plays with the kids or cuddles them. She worked in the same company as me and never had any colleagues or spoke much. People asked to be moved away as she would just stare coldly at them. At family gatherings she would drain the atmosphere by just sitting and saying nothing.

[@fredh999harris8]

Does the thought occur to you that your ex d in l is actually full of self-hatred, has little accurate self-awareness, & is secretly jealous of practically everyone else.

[@joywebster2678]

But she enchanted your son?

[@railwaychristina3192]

​@joywebster2678 ...poor lad lost his mother when hecwas 15, so was very glad to meet someone who will never leave him. Both so damaged but declined any help, so very sad.

[@jolly7728]

That was quite fascinating! I've encountered individuals who behaved in the manner described in this video and wondered what their issue was. I now understand. I believed that the flat, compressed style of emotional expression they possessed was distinct from a desire to be removed from loved ones and people in general. However, I've realized that these are both characteristics of schizoid personality disorder and as such affected people are unlikely to change, which is heartbreaking especially if it's a family member.

[@Lighthousepreserve]

The walled city

[@tawnyt3935]

I was recently diagnosed despite not knowing anything about this disorder prior so I have been trying to learn as much as possible.

[@elanahammer1076]

Thank you Dr. Ramani for a moral boost. I thank I shared with you (at one point in time during a study of narcissism), that I have ptsd/mtbi from a near fatal car accident with a semi truck trailer. Every day I work on me and healing from various forms of narcissism and doing a deep dive to prevent it in my life period. While I appreciate that you are not attention seeking. This presentation helped me to see that while I am typically very composed with controlling my emotions, this does not appear to be me. On a side note…I really appreciate your work on narcissism. It is literally everywhere in our society. Again thank you 🤔❤️🇺🇸

[@DNTCreativeMedia]

Love your videos. I've learned so much from your info and MedCircle.

[@martineldritch]

Great information, thank you 🙂Two literary figures whose work I greatly admire include Emily ("I'm nobody, who are you?") Dickenson who didn't publish in her lifetime and left her work in a box under her bed when she passed and H.P Lovecraft (whose xenophobia was a horror show in itself). Each wrote thousands of letters to acquaintances in their lifetimes while leading very reclusive lives. Schizoids are capable of very intimate fantasy even if it doesn't seem to materialize in daily life.

[@aleksandrasrimdzius]

Also. Kafka is regarded being a schizoid. I read that schizoids as artists tend to be one-of-a-kind types, producing absolutely unique works of art.

[@Trollika_Devi]

Dickenson I think suffered from social anxiety and back then there was no way to handle it.

[@user-kb8qw7dy4t]

@@Trollika_Devi And I don't about Lovecraft's mental health, only that he faced a lot of rejection from publishers. I do believe he would appreciate the recognition he's finally received after his death.

[@leticiavasquez8566]

How do you know they were not restrained or anxious introverts? How do we know if they got any pleasure or not from their inner life?

[@TheInsomniaddict]

@@leticiavasquez8566 Schizoids do receive pleasure from their inner life, it's one of the reasons why it was formed.

[@glensworld2542]

Thank you Dr. Ramani for these excellent videos on mental health. Your videos surpass many I have seen in academia.

[@coffeeblack9316]

I’ve had relationships in my past. Always been very introverted. I’d rather be alone. People bore me. I definitely don’t trust talking to people anymore, since people get information on you, and lie on you. So, I’ve totally shut down after my divorce six years ago. I rarely date. I don’t care. I’ve been happier just loving on myself. No space for people. Except my cat.

[@luxaeterna3246]

Cats are the best people

[@margareth1504]

Very interesting video and thanks - I know more than i did before.

[@ICDidi]

I‘ve been diagnosed with schizoid and avoidant personality disorder and I agree with most ofthefacts butikind of learned to show the emotions other people would like to see in me but in the end this is super draining and I feel like I’m lying to everybody and myself because everything social interaction seems to be meaningless. I also, which is totally weird… start to hyper fixate on one person at a time which feels like what people would call romantic interest but I learned that I do that because I want to know the deep side of other peoples personalities so I can make them my own and learn more about certain emotions but when it comes to romance and sex and close friendships I just lose every little interest. I only hyper fixate on people that don’t show me huge affection tho

[@emilyeah]

This describes my neighbor perfectly. I send her love from a distance.

[@shaskins15]

That's very thoughtful. I always say I've perfected the art of loving from a distance

[@lorrainesmith.4995]

Thank you Dr... im so happy i watched this one ... its ME.... Never needed or wanted friends.. never felt alone.. never felt sad. Just bored a lot. No sexual fantasies' either, just love of learning new things. and my music. THere are so many of us out there too.. but like you said, we are never in need of ANYTHING except money. Its hard to hold down a job being a female as the jobs pointed out to me are always "people jobs" and we dont mix well for long.. its hard to explain, im not rude.. just dont need them there.

[@shellos8]

I've always been somewhat of a loner at different times in ky life. I feel it's become much worse since I had to stop working due to a progressive, incurable disease. I think I'd like to learn a lot more about this disorder as well as avoidant personality disorder.

[@TheInsomniaddict]

For Schizoid, read Dr Elinor Greenberg's book. She has the best understanding of ScPD I've read so far. Less certain on Avoidant. Regardless, a personality disorder doesn't just occur at some point in adulthood, and is instead generally formed when you're a child. If that doesn't sound like you, then chances are you're suffering from depression.

[@andreyzhuchkov1882]

@@TheInsomniaddict thank you for dropping the name of this book in the comments. As for the description given in the video that's just way too extreme of a description.

[@lealoksenincova5031]

ive been diadgnosed with this few years ago, however I dont believe it fits me. From the outside maybe, from the inside I would love to have functioning relationships I just cant figure out how to make or maintian them. So basically, I think I was misdiagnosed.

[@tone1446]

Triangulate ❤️ get a second and third opinion

[@lizl7096]

Just going to throw that out there, but could it maybe be autism?

[@lealoksenincova5031]

Liz L I actually asked psychiatrist that was diagnosing me on possibility of autism because we have it in our family - one low functional person (no speech so far) and one high functional… but she told me if i would be autistic they would have already diagnosed me when I was small child. Than she diagnosed me with major depression, anxiety and schizoid personality disorder and prescribed antidepressants.

[@claritysimone4466]

@@lealoksenincova5031 Lots of people are diagnosed as adults :(

[@udonge1043]

the notion that schizoid people do not desire or enjoy relationships is 100% inaccurate, as is most of this video. like others suggested, you should probably consider different possibilities, but you should also do research into szpd--something this video did not do. the most beginner friendly literature on this disorder is probably zachary wheelers treatment of schizoid personality: an analytic psychotherapy handbook. you can find it very easily online and do not have to pay. i hope you figure everything out and start having satisfying relationships regardless.

[@GBBWAR]

i don't know if other people feel this way, but being isolated from society other than my family is my dream. i think the internet provide the social interaction that is enough for some people, me being one of them.

[@ascia158]

for me i want to be isolated from everyone even my own family.

[@GBBWAR]

@@ascia158 whats the reason you don't want to be with your family? for me, it would be nice not to have to struggle just to meet their expectations, but i'd still want to be with them.

[@ascia158]

@@GBBWAR they are so toxic family.

[@JessiTuck]

I daydreamed of living alone and only skyping my family. During the lockdown I got my wish and it was my favorite 2 years of my life. I became a lot happier and more relaxed. My therapist said "as long as you're happy and have no avoidance because of anxiety, I think it's a perfectly healthy life for you. You are living a full life, it's just different from other's desires is all."

[@ascia158]

@DM that's good i hope i can do that soon too

[@junidaydreams]

Out of the 7 criteria she listed from the DSM-5, at least 4 are needed for diagnosis (some commenters are pointing out her description seems like the most extreme case. It certainly is!) Additionally, workers involved in the personality section of the DSM-5 proposed an alternative to diagnosing personality disorders to making it more of a continuum rather than categorical. 6 of the personality disorders in the common categorical system were maintained, and the other 4 were dissolved, including schizoid personality disorder. Practitioners who use the alternative method instead of the categorical system would see which aspects of a patient or client's personality are distressing, and if there is enough distress/dysfunction, you may receive a diagnosis of General Personality Disorder. So for everyone meeting the criteria for SzPD who doesn't feel like they have a disorder, according to the alternative method, you probably don't! I enjoyed learning about SzPD though because it led me to accept parts of myself that I fought my entire life. Thank you Dr. Ramani for the video!

[@joannelarose8198]

Your channel is very informative.

[@CommonlyKnownAsSimon]

The only reason my diagnosis flagged up was because I had a severe life changing accident and family made me get help because I wasn't doing great. Always suffered with mental health issues but I just got on with it until the accident stuff.

[@cleoharper1842]

I'm sorry that happened to you, but I'm glad that you did indeed get on with it. Addressing mental health is not for other people (as many think) but for your own quality of life and peace of mind.

[@petuniaakatooney4517]

I think I new one. I called him The Hermit. He kept his house and yard really nice. Hardly ever had company. I'm surprised he talked to me. Very peaceful.

[@DruidEnjoyer]

This seems like very extreme and literal interpretation of the schizoid personality disorder. While there's tons of nuance beyond this.

[@tone1446]

Please elaborate so that we together can learn more about each other

[@AbhishekKumar-zn8ny]

I agree with you. I’ve been diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder, and these explanations only seem to scratch the surface; it’s a rather superficial understanding of the disorder - please note that I don’t mean to say that they’re wrong about it, they’re just not exploring the topic to an extent that does justice to it, and we can’t really blame them for it; SPD is a rather complex (for the lack of a better word) disorder, which has a lot of moving parts, and a 5 minute video cannot possibly cover all the symptoms in depth. Albeit, it’s a great place to start informing people about the disorder.

[@DruidEnjoyer]

@@AbhishekKumar-zn8ny Agreed. This video describes a very extreme form of schizoid personality disorder. Which is kinda like describing schizophrenia as "Having visual hallucinations, being extremely paranoid and having very obscure belief structures" and such. While it's true that someone having those symptoms would be schizophrenic, having all the symptoms at their most extreme on a single individual is very rare. Same goes for schizoids. Schizoids can care and be empathetic in their own way, but it's done in a round about way through projection, which schizoids tend to be quite good at. Then there's the entire category of a hidden schizoid, which is basically a schizoid that has learned through coping mechanisms and such to appear quite normal, while their internal world is still that of a schizoid.

[@udonge1043]

im so fucking tired of dumbass videos like these. i match the stereotype very strongly and yet there is still so much that i disagree with from this video. if they had just read the wikipedia article word from word, it would be more accurate and nuanced. it actually makes me very mildly angry which should tell you everything you need to know.

[@AbhishekKumar-zn8ny]

@@DruidEnjoyer As Fairbairn said, the terrible dilemma of the schizoid is that love itself is destructive, and he dare not love. Hence he withdraws into detachment and aloofness. All intimate relationships are felt in terms of eating, swallowing up, and are too dangerous to be risked (Guntrip, 1968)

[@eastafrika728]

I think I am schizoid, I match all the symptoms mentioned.

[@DsnyLuv]

Never heard of it before, thanks for the enlightenment

[@cadmantheaviator]

my observation is that labelling people with personality types and disorders does more harm than good. there are many others who agree. what I also find somewhat disturing is the boom of mental health services that overstate their effectiveness. Which means a lot of people have unhelpful, perhaps even stigmatizing or harmful experiences, which create new difficulties and perhaps waste mental and financial resources because of vague offers of helping. Also a lot of real world problems impact people and I think defining the problem entirely as a problem with a person and their "personality" is itself quite pernicious and intellectually flawed. A lot of wrong conclusions drawn by "professionals" who, in my experience, are blinkered by their modality/training and personal investment/finacial benefit.

[@AngelTravisx]

Absolutely 100%. I am diagnosed with multiple personality disorder and over the years it has just made me worse. No friendships, bullying, stigma from doctors, alienated, looked down upon, undervalued, people often doubt me & think that I am not capable or that I am a danger to everyone. Even in college, my teacher accidentally left my person info on the screen and the whole class didn’t speak to me for the whole 2 years, I was bullied severely all because of a diagnosis (yes the teacher made a mistake by leaving it on the screen) however, it just shows what a diagnosis can really do. I wish there were other ways into helping people without the stigma & labels.

[@AngelTravisx]

& most of these “professionals” are somewhat damaged themselves. The majority are just labelling as many people as they can by reading a book.. just so that they can make more 💵!

[@cadmantheaviator]

@@AngelTravisx I'm so sorry you've had that experience. I hope your own insight guides you and that your awareness of how flawed labels are is helpful to you. Don't let these artificial constructs be a prison holding you back. My best wishes to you.

[@fionagrant2023]

facts

[@khalil7011]

This is why I don't care what 'disorders' I may or may not have. I don't want to be diagnosed and be put in a box like everyone else. I think some people are naturally eccentric and get slapped with a mental illness label for life and can never escape that mind prison.

[@guialmeida723]

I am an schizoid, and i identify with almost all of the traits I tend to avoid social activities and social interactions, specially with extroverts (like parties and etc...) I prefer solitary hobbies, because i feel that, when i get into social activities, i prefer to stay in the corner I dont have a wide set of emotions, i dont express my emotions even if someone criticizes me or compliments me, i feel that emotions are useless and will just make things worse I have zero sexual desire, i dont see the point of doing sex with someone I dont really have a life goal or a motivation, i'm just a ghost wandering the world like i'm not from this world And when i avoid social interactions, it doesn't mean i don't know how to talk, i just don't wanna talk I've been an schizoid since my childhood, i remember one day where everyone was happy, and i was too, but i didn't express happiness and didn't know why, and when my grandmother said "WILLIAM, LOOK HOW BEAUTIFUL THE FIREWORKS ARE!!" and i didn't look at it because i was more interested in a videogame, and, as a child, i've watched a lot of movies, but i didn't express any emotion And i hate people who only knows how to discuss with other people for no reason, narcissists and bad people, because i dont see the point in discussing with someone for no reason, it won't take you anywhere

[@jaeminthecreator2877]

i found my people you guys in the comments really understand and other people think i don't feel like shit or hurt when they tell me im heartless and have no emotions or don't care about anybody.. i just want everybody to leave me tf alone god

[@nonhumanperson9362]

Finally something besides narcissism. I know it’s a big issue, but variety is cool lol

[@nicholassinatra8342]

I respect Dr. Ramani and her clinical experience, but I feel like there's a tendency on her part to villainize and further stigmatize various personality types rather than offer insight into these kinds of vignettes. This is kind of "painting with broad strokes" but also the language she uses is further creates a kind of "Other" based on psychological profiles which only creates a larger rift between individuals living with these various traits and those who are considered clinically "normal" from a psychological perspective. Just something to keep in mind, Dr. Ramani.

[@nicholassinatra8342]

@@peanutm9346 maybe she doesn't offend you, but you're one person. The implications for a medical professional generalizing entire diagnoses is a massive problem. You may want to be an apologist for her, but there are many others (including those working in the mental health field) who would say otherwise.

[@TheCosmicVagabond]

Shrinks like $$$. This quack has bills to pay!!

[@CharleyHays]

I can identify a lot with this, but I have been in therapy for 3 years since my suicide attempt. I do wonder though, is there a crossover between schizoid personality and trauma? If so, how could you identify which one is taking precedence? Thanks !

[@metalrabbit09]

Having become more accustomed to the Power Threat Meaning Framework, I found the title of this video so bizarre that listened for a couple of minutes. Something like not being able to resist looking at an accident on the road.

[@srbija2]

I belive I have schizoid personality structure not as much as disorder. I've been to a different therapist. You probably know how Barbara An Brennan describe it. I personally have a lot of talents and my biggest issue is to combine them in one way to be able to express them. In psyche there cannot be just black or white. Thank you for your observation it's helpful and gives me something to think of. 🙏

[@ChevyC-jo9pw]

🤔 I love learning about all these personality traits

[@AspergersSyndromeDaily]

Hi Dr. Ramani. Have you done a video on Duper's Delight? It seems to be the last stage of almost every narcissist encounter.

[@sixpathsofyoungboy692]

Ah. There I am. Quite instructive; appreciate the lesson

[@Ama-hi5kn]

I was diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder, but I don't really comply with everything it entails. I can care for people, but I'm very indifferent to praise. However, I am really sensitive to criticism. When I feel I'm in the wrong I get really sad. But I when I get praise I feel guilty and I feel like I don't deserve the compliments I get. Like when someone pays me one, I feel I am not deserving of it and always wonder when people tell me good things about me I don't feel good about it.

[@skathwoelya2935]

Would you mind explaining what you think the difference is between Schizoid Personality Disorder and Autism/Asperger's syndrome? From this video, the two seem very similar.

[@theresnothinghereatall]

Autists aren't anhedonic and do desire friendships. Schizoids also understand emotions

[@urmybiscuit]

I can understand sarcasm. Someone with autism cant

[@lapislazulis2378]

I'd say Asperger people can be very chatty, bubbly, full of life and even very sensory when they trust another person. They also can be pretty intense when it comes to share their special interests. - They can be very sensitive (eyes/ears/skin/taste/smell), and though it is a wide-spread idea/fact they can have trouble in sexuality such as finding a partner, avoiding abusive relationships, coping with hyposensitivity or hypersensitivity being caressed, they can also love it and be kind of sensual and playful. It is very different for SPD: they can be asexual, graysexual, or describe themselves as "a little more than graysexual". Having a philosophical discussion can be so much more pleasing to them... They can be very intellectual. - When Aspies are overwhelmed (sensory overloads but also relationship triggers, stress, no time to rest...) they come through shutdowns and meltdowns which is not the case in SPD. Schizoids don't deeply care about compliments or judgements. Tricky part: if you're an Aspie with complex trauma from a narcissistic background, you can really seem like a schizoid person and the "naive" part of autistic behaviour won't necessary be true (unless if you keep dissociating each time you meet someone malignant). Anorexia, SPD and autism are sometimes very linked.

[@ghenulo]

images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d2550de332b22f60eec9f4/1635726718042-7V70T1MUM2PUE1S17P81/Autism+vs.+Schizoid+Personality+Disorder.png

[@dande3560]

Dr. Ramani you explained everything in details in a very simple way. Please do make for Histrionic Personality Disorder.

[@Yatukih_001]

To me, the scariest aspect of scizoid personality disorder is its effect on society once these people find ways to be in power. My experience has been that because of how hard it is for them to be involved with a personal relationship, people look more up to them than those who do have these skills. The guy who screamed at you in that supermarket and told you to ´stay in your shit´or something like that probably has this disorder. It is probable that both the most devout anti - vaccer, and the most devout covid - 19 believer have scizoid personality disorder. Of course. Neither wants any personal relationship whatsoever, because their perfect world does not exist.Nature might have created this disorder as a means of a survival mechanism.

[@DeChihauha]

@@Yatukih_001 What the fuck are you on about? Yeah, let's just bunch up all assholes into schizoid pd and create our own perfect world.. And it makes no sense on top of all that - if schizoid is uninvolved into emotional connection with people and experiences no pleasure, what could be the incentive to even CARE about your mentioned stuff? For schizoid it's more likely to be minor inconvenience or just simply "meh, whatever" fact.

[@katkay9923]

@@Yatukih_001 why do you think they would have such extreme polar views?

[@BlueUmbrella5584]

​@@Yatukih_001 What a bunch of speculated nonesense.

[@arthurmorgan1621]

@@Yatukih_001 never read such Shit hhhhh

[@drdanielmiezah]

Great Dr

[@mariellthomassen2860]

Thank you🙏

[@lovesakitas]

I’m really very uncertain about the type of person I thought was a narcissist in my last long distance romance. The end result, for me, was the same. I went no contact because the entire relationship was very devastating. I know he liked people to approach him instead of the other way around. I got to the point that I had no idea if he liked me or not so I kept waiting for his approach/reapproach. But also there was not enough communication to even find out. Why did it even bother? Because he idealized me and trauma bonded me and I kept waiting to see what was really going on. I will never know.

[@illusion743]

Some people are just bad people or unhealthy with alot of work to do. Not everyone who does actions like that necessarily have a personality disorder. (not undermining your experience just wanted to bring this point up)

[@sophiaeasel1561]

You have just 100% described me.

[@SometimesCompitent]

I was diagnosed with this and yeah a lot of it fits but I’m actually a very emotional person who laughs a lot. I still crave connection to people even tho I can’t ever really do it. I like being alone 90% of the time but would like to have some time with other people.

[@victorbriceno3218]

I glad to see the doctor making new videos! Thanks a million..

[@lucasoromi]

I think it has been described rather extreme. It is not black and white there is a grey zone. Move the description here to half of that, then it may intensify in some areas not because of the lack of interest of the Schizoid but because of the social backlash that can be in the form of simple questions like "why don't you like that?" and then we (yes I am one weirdo Schizoid) start avoiding more those situation. Also family, it is not that we initially didn't care for them or didn't have any real love or connection, but it starts eroding overtime because we are always the bad guy, then we just prefer to do a clean cut than suffer (both sides) eternally and it does hurt to make that cut but there is nothing time can not heal. We love having a real good loyal best friend, but just one and we prefer to have sex with that one person so if we have a bf or gf we might neglect that one bfff and eventually end up alone; finding a new bff will prove to be imposible. Something we don't like is fake and socializing and making new friends has a lot of fake-ness we find very difficult to deal with and we get too honest too soon, and then we are the ones being avoided; so it is not that we don't want to but we are not wanted either. The reason for this disorder seems to be a head trauma specially in the back of the head; I guess we get too frontal and loose social skills. Forgive us, we don't dislike you nor find you annoying, but we need to move on with our lonely peaceful quiet lives and accept ourselves the way we are. UPDATE: At work: if maying new friends becomes very difficult with coworkers it gets worst, we can't withstand the back stabbing and from experience it is better to keep you mouth shut and not get too intimate with co-workers. We don't want to be part of the "Me Too" movement in any way. As frontal thinkers we just become very practical.

[@angellacanfora]

Oh dear, this all sounds like me except for the part about having activities you love, which I do. I've been diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum along with having PTSD from the time I was raped by a serial rapist/murderer. Combine that with growing up in an abusive household and I think I just learned that being alone and self-sufficient was best. I'm fine with being alone and realize I'll probably live my life out by myself. But I have many online friends and hobbies and interests so I don't know if I'm a genuine schizoid or no? Hmm. Need more info!

[@Trollika_Devi]

You're not schizoid . It's the PTSD making you avoid situations to protect yourself. If you have online friends you're clearly not avoidant,it's just that it doesn't translate into real life due to the obvious hurdles and risks. It's hard enough to make friends without ptsd and with it ,it's a dozen times harder. (BTW I'm so sorry to hear about your experiences ..I wish you success in your healing journey )

[@Dani-lc9hq]

what she says is very extreme, not everyone is extreme like that, find people online with SPD and listen to their personal stories... some do have some relationships even.... like any disorder it's a gradient and every person is still unique and yes trauma can cause it... trauma therapy can also help you heal...

[@familiesintraumarecovery6126]

Well, Angel, you definitely are curious, because you watched a title like this. I would commend you for that interest, because even if we don't learn about ourselves, we learn about others - and this is really helpful in life. It's difficult to assess & make a diagnosis from a few words. Medics like to interview and ask lots of questions, rightly so. I can identify with your experiences and would like to express my thinking. 1st the ''Autism Spectrum'' is what it says it is. It has a range - and many people fall into this range. Many autistic people have skills that humble most of us. Embrace it and enjoy your hobbies. PTSD because of horrific experiences is natural, but also treatable when it is the right time for yourself. PTSD doesn't have to last a certain amount of months/years. People in their late years will have times where they get a shock (react with shock), which relates back to childhood. That is a reflex and is natural (not pleasant). PTSD teaches you good things and bad. Hold on to the good things. It has taught you that you can't trust on face value, that you need time, in order to trust. That is a protection. But, your hobbies help you deal with your entire life. It recalibrates the mind, brings it into a good place and helps you to process things that were previously causing stress. If you have a good day, take a photo of it. ''a genuine schizoid?'' - I don't think you are anywhere near it. Take care www.familiesintrauma.co.uk/our-resources.asp

[@r.p.8906]

schizoid personality or schizoid traits people have a very hard childhood and split the persona in order to survive the abuse. They are usually tall and thin, are with extremely high IQ and could be geniuses. They are always in their world that is parallel to the real world. Chess-masters, inventors, researchers and creators of unique musique and unique art are mostly schizoid personalities. Contrary to the histrionic personality that is mostly entertaining and social, schizoids are the genius kind that will create music that last for many generations while the histrionic will have a hit and be forgotten in 1-2 years. Schizoids are consumed by their imagination and creation. Money and fame have no values to them. Relationships are non important if not related to their creation. Steve Jobs is a good example of schizoid personality.

[@joanmarietsultrimparkin1821]

@@Dani-lc9hqyou are so correct. These you tube breakdowns to.me .are horrific . And harm people ...promoting quick labeling techniques in uneducated stressful times.

[@ASentientPlant]

My ex was diagnosed with this after I begged him to go to therapy for two years. Which was too little, too laye, as I had already ended the relationship and was in the process of moving out. I also suspect he had ASPD or vulnerable/convert narcissism. Went from having at least one, and up to 4 suicidal durations a month (while living with him)... Too now living with a roommate for 2 years, and have only had two this whole time, both under 5 minutes long. I suspect my birth mother is also aspd/covert narc

[@krystalMtn]

Glad to see this and would love more. I have an ex who tested with features of schzoid and triats of narcissism, among others. He had little interest in me unless it benefited him somehow, and no interest in our children when they were young, only his work. He engaged in family activities but only because I came up with all the ideas, did all logistics to work it out, and dragged him along. But if I didn't include him he got angry, pouted, and revenge on me. I always felt like I was draging dead weight around when it came to forcing him to be involved with the family. I have learned so much more since then.

[@krystalMtn]

@jcorb Who said he had schizoid personality disorder? You make wrong assumptions not in my comments. I made no claim he had schizoid personality disorder. I specifically said he had "features of schiziod".

[@66kaisersoza]

@@krystalMtn This video is about schizoid personality disorder specifically. Hence his assumption

[@krystalMtn]

@@66kaisersoza I checked. He wasn't making an assumption. He goes around and trolls other peoples comments looking for interaction. Plus I specifically addressed the fact that the ex had features of schizoid. Which is a depth of measurement that identifies the level of functionality within a person's personality. Traits being a stronger level than a features.

[@66kaisersoza]

@@krystalMtn Ok fair enough

[@bernardlesperance742]

Their symptoms/behaviors are ego syntonic, hence they not ever conceiving of going to therapy . . . they really don't recognize that there's anything wrong with them. This can be said of most personality disorders.

[@shellieperreault6262]

Oh, they realize they are different from everyone else, but that the rest of the world is dysfunctional because of emotions and the schizoid is perfectly happy to keep out of that mess.

[@bernardlesperance742]

@@shellieperreault6262 Different, yes, but not sick or abnormal.

[@meilei8716]

I totally crave being alone and never get tired of it. I get tired from making up stuff to talk about. I’ll deal with people and have social skills from jobs I’ve held but… The eerie, genuine silence I prefer clearly bothers others but I can’t even get myself to care bc it doesn’t feel wrong at all. I just sometimes notice and apprehensively, painfully squeeze out a few bs words to help em out 😑 but really, I just want to practice presence and master my craft in my own way :)

[@RADIUMGLASS]

The best way I can explain it is like this, we're content with our lives.

[@somber087]

The anhedonia is not okay though

[@asiloy]

I feel like SzPD is one of those disorders that bothers other people more than the person who has it. I grew tired of people trying to shame and guilt me out my shell and now I completely avoid them. I've never been happier.

[@dustanbower7092]

As a Schizoid with Schizotypal traits I thought this video might be interesting, but I found it to be pretty meh. At this point I'm basically a secret Schizoid when my social skills are on. I've had co-workers express surprise at the idea that I was ever non-social. However, this sounds like someone who doesn't know me and has only interacted with me when my social skills are off exaggerating things about me for effect or gossip. I haven't spoken with enough other Schizoids to know if I am an outlier here, but this sounds like a caricature more than a description. I have most of the traits described here but essentially none of them as described. And, of course, as anyone might expect, I do not consider my personality style a disorder. It causes some complications in my life but I don't have to deal with a lot of things that neurotypical people have to deal with unless I choose to. I have friends and I have had relationships and I may do so again, I simply feel no compulsion to form relationships with people who do not respect my space, are not compatible with my personality, or who I don't find interesting, which is a stance I would recommend to everyone, even if their social needs are much greater than mine.

[@handsomeblackchad362]

I relate to this

[@frauMEIA666]

Thank you for yet another really informative video! I wonder why BPD is seen as close to this disorder... could you please explain?!

[@apatheticxmindsetx3549]

Where did you get that info? I've never seen anything connecting the two as similar

[@johnphantom]

I am bipolar with schizoaffective disorder with very serious episodes, but far apart because I generally take my medication. I have that all in spades, except a difference in praise/criticism - I want people to praise me to others, and I appreciate a thank you, but lavish praise directly upon me is not welcome. Most the time I am indifferent to criticism for past actions because I know what I am and own up to what I do, even if I don't really regret quite a bit of it - don't get me wrong, there is plenty that has happened in my life I wish I could change. One thing that has served me well ever since I was a child, is where people that know me might say, "He doesn't lie". I do lie, but I choose my lies and it is rare, because the truth is just simply easier to keep track of, for which I have a memory like a trap.

[@stef1872]

My bf is Schizoid and he was extremely distant but very communicative in the beginning. I remember thinking there is something going on here. Eventually, he told me. But he is a lot different towards me he is so loving and affectionate. Sweetest man I ever dated❤ During times of insecurity he does experience meltdowns. That's when I see it the most. It's so hard for him to express where the emotion is coming from.

[@19MadMatt72]

What is the difference/overlap of schizoid vs. schizotypal? I have ospd with schizotypal features.

[@cherrym4042]

I think I might have schizotypal personality disorder but haven’t been diagnosed yet.

[@martinavaslovik3433]

This describes my brother perfectly! He has all 7 traits!

[@cris4316]

Listen person, she doesn’t know what she is talking about! I could make a list of things and a lot of people will identify, it’s crap.

[@martinavaslovik3433]

@@cris4316 Don't you have a book report to finish?

[@cris4316]

@@martinavaslovik3433 wow you’re funny, a book report. It’s trauma in one way or another that effects individuals. You don’t know what the fck you are talking about. You sound like my sister. She is fcked up!

[@loism1965]

I could send you my son...he totally fits your description and he is 22 and highly intelligent!

[@SloppyPowerFart5000]

I really wish modern day psychologists would dig further into the nature of Schizoid Personality and perform more research. The information we have today is decades old.

[@streaming5332]

To be indifferent to criticism sounds like bliss.

[@ghenulo]

Yeah, that's the part with which I don't identify. I have notifications turned off on most sites, because I don't want to read the mean things people say to me.

[@davidwelch4841]

Thank you Dr. Romani. I know a person who has this disorder. I've known him for twelve years and In that time only had two in person conversations with him. I'm gay and met him in church; as soon as I layed eyes on him I was smitten. I pursued him to no avail; he told me he would consider a relationship but within a few weeks he said he"could not commit". Those were his exact words; which sounded strange considering he was 51 and I was 41 at the time and said he wasn't in a relationship with anyone. Fast forward till today; he's exactly the same as then. All the symptoms he's shown from the beginning but I didn't know what it was called until I saw a video from Dr. Todd Grande on KZbin describing the disorder. He's now 63 yrs old and I text him every couple of months just to see if he's alright. It's a very sad life.

[@LucyZobell]

A sad life for you or for him? He doesnt need social interaction to be happy.

[@UterineBlackmail]

I am not kidding, I wish I had this. It would make my life much easier

[@leclaireguy263]

I have spent so many hours in research through ur wonderful pods to discover this. hallelujah. however I feel sad , as a disabled I cant do too much. however thank you dr. xx

[@mrskg2883]

Very close to home

[@LordxPaesh]

are there varying degrees to this? I check off most of the boxes but have exceptions to some of them. Im not a family person, i try to avoid my family as much as possible unless i need something. I have no friends, I have no desire to have friends but occasionally i find someone whose company i genuinely enjoy. I still dont desire a friendship from them or to even keep in touch but when i happen to be around them, i try to be "normal" by having conversations with them. I do desire a romantic relationship (which im in) and they're basically the only person I'm open and emotional with. I also have no desire for intimacy but since I'm aware that my partner enjoys it, I partake in it. I'm very monotone and show no emotion BUT I do have BPD so when I'm triggered that quickly changes. I know bpd is usually confused with schizoid, so I've been wondering if maybe I either A. also have AvPD (I check off a lot of boxes there too) or if it's schizoid.

[@udonge1043]

this video is incredibly inaccurate and gets almost nothing right about schizoid personality disorder- you are very correct to assume that there are varying degrees to this. it is even theorized that avpd is a more higher functioning version of schizoid, which could be why you relate to this. if you want to do more research and actually have a correct understanding of szpd, the subreddit r/schizoid has a large google document of literature on this disorder for free. the most easiest to understand is zachary wheelers treatment of schizoid personality: an analytic psychotherapy handbook.

[@TheBakingGirlShow]

All Cluster B’s are schizoid on the inside though

[@aleksandrasrimdzius]

Yeah, is called a spectrum.

[@Dani-lc9hq]

BPD is like the opposite to me, as it is an inability to regulate emotions and thus experiencing very extreme emotions... plus depressive episodes too.... but SPD is flat and shut down emotionally, apathic possibly...

[@shellieperreault6262]

There are also closet/secret schizoids.

[@vickivandermerwe3896]

First time I hear about this. Thank you, Dr Ramani! Do you get a schizoid narcissist?

[@adolfovazquez8410]

Thank you. I have schizoid and I want to learn how to work with it

[@ummiumar4542]

Okay, excuse me! But I've most of these symptoms only just like not as serious as those with this condition. Some of the symptoms are similar to those of depression, and Avoidant personality disorder which I think suffered from both lol

[@ummiumar4542]

@@jeanp.5929 I was diagnosed with depression ten years ago by a professional so, I don't really get your point tbh

[@funfun5656]

I'm no expert on the matter but it puzzles me why we even bother considering this a personality "disorder" if it doesn't cause any grief or distress in the person's life who has it. As an introvert myself I often think it would be a blessing not to feel the need for interpersonal relationships...I still have that need myself but I find maintaining relationships to be exhausting.

[@martineldritch]

I read this point of view a lot, usually from younger people, thank you for expressing it. I'm no expert either but as you get deeper into the spectrum and over the years find find those roped into low-paying or non-paying jobs with no hope of medical coverage; those who find themselves used, exploited or even trafficked because of their native sang froid and low expectations (well, at least I have a roof over my head), when you find those who are homeless maybe for years because it feels so natural to drop out of the complexities and stresses of normal life, you will find that this is a "disorder" because of the low quality of life schizoids can find themselves living. Schizoid disorder has no cure but some individuals can be treated for the anxiety and depression that SPD might bring about. Hope this clarifies? Best of life.

[@brianmeen2158]

I hear you and the lack of desire for interpersonal relationships is a positive trait if schizoid pd. Problem is, many of us have Anhedonia as well which tends to disrupt our life in various ways

[@janinajochim1843]

Hi there -- Could you provide any tips for books targetting children of parents with Schizoid Personality Disorder?

[@angelschneider1686]

wow. She just described my mother

[@emily7195]

I am obsessed with being alone. I don't want or need friends, I don't want or need anyone. Unfortunately I do have a lot of friends, they're so determined bless them, I have no idea why. I do see them, and I give everything I can to my family, but I don't want too. I want to indulge in being alone. I will take sex for me but for me only, it doesnt mean anything to me. Very rarely i will meet someone who 'sees me'. I have been in love but it doesnt last, i have to get rid of them. Pretending to be a normal person is what's killing me. I am constantly stressed and emotional because i just want to be left alone all the time 😔

[@grantwithers]

I'm pretty sure I have this disorder and she makes some of they symptoms sound a bit more harsh than the actual symptoms sometimes present in real life for many SPDers. This can lead to people that actually have it thinking they do not imo. Not a doctor btw, but I think she's laying it on thick here in the description of some symptoms. And I would just tell her, I got into therapy just because an artist I like online mentioned he got that as a diagnosis and I googled it to see what he had. I was already thinking I may have autism to a degree (or traits/symptoms thereof) and I found out about the potential overlap (outright comorbidity and also somewhat SPD sometimes coming with a small order of autistic thinking etc. or "autism lite"). I mentioned both to my doc and he recommended a therapist to whom I went, and whom has confirmed it is likely SPD, tho she says diagnosing autism in adults is hard.

[@johnwhite7320]

Interesting.

[@kristen3715]

all are true but the first one. I had no emotional connection to anyone as a kid, ANYONE. my brain basically protected me from this emotional neglect by basically saying "sis you dont need no emotional connection you have yourself 💅🏻 " Personally i only want one friend. Quality is better than quantity to us, we became jaded at a young age toward relationships, so now we have high standards for them. So if they fall out of our standards we are annoyed by them and don't accept them as our friends. (speaking from personal experience)

[@MalcolmAuger]

But is it wrong to to have have a Schizoid Disorder? Is this something which needs to be treated to begin with and if so why? Are they necessarily hurting anyone?

[@tone1446]

We all live in and navigate through our own normal ❤️ if we ever find ourselves at a point in time where we're a risk to others or ourselves, we reach out for help 🙏

[@michelleamatulle6378]

Not wrong. They could be hurting others of course if family, friends or a person who finds themselves in love with one wants to have a deeper, meaningful relationship with them. But yeah, they would have to seek out help and then rarely if ever do.

[@manidafred7872]

I understand your point but maybe it can be hurting to your family since You only come to your family for things that you need. It doesn't even sound bad to me as well it just sounds like the person wants to be alone. At the end of the day if the person finds no enjoyment from anything I don't think that they're happy that's probably the only problem with it.

[@cleverhamster182]

The specialists are concerned mainly with two factors-how do you feel, and do others feel distress who are around you. People with SPD fail to meet the second criterion, and I can see how that can be problematic for society: it's really hard to find common ground, work, and be around a human being who is indifferent to you. Besides, the quality of life for people with SPD is the worst compared to other personality disorders whether they realise it or not.

[@snicklesnockle7263]

I wouldn't say I have "no interest." Just such little interest that everyone hates me, which ends up making me quit every job I have. Does that qualify as a disorder?

[@wardarahman1757]

Yes.

[@wardarahman1757]

Most schizoids ‘mask’- or pretend that they have amazing personalities and have normal interests like other people so that others will accept them.

[@snicklesnockle7263]

@@wardarahman1757 That seems like a normie thing to do. I'm not disagreeing, just saying that particular one doesn't match me.

[@wardarahman1757]

@@snicklesnockle7263 I mean, you could be an overt schizoids. Overts have little to no inclination in making other people like them.

[@snicklesnockle7263]

@@wardarahman1757 interesting

[@happybergner9832]

Can I develop that as a result of having very bad narcissistic relationship s?? Although, I do have passion for many activities, and music. However I attend therapy

[@10ksubsnovids]

I feel like I can relate to these symptoms but I do crave sexual interactions but don’t feel the desire to do anything to get them