Schizoid personality disorder is a psychiatric disorder in which the individual has the inability to form any sort of social relationships and does not have any interest in doing so. These individuals have an introverted lifestyle and come across as lonely or emotionally cold people. They are often indifferent to the feelings of others and are often perceived as unsympathetic by others. As compared with other personality disorders, this disorder is extremely rare with an estimated rate of less then 1 percent. Schizoid personality disorder needs to be treated as it may interfere with the normal functioning of the individual at social, professional and personal levels.

Symptoms of Schizoid personality disorder:

Individuals with this disorder do not have any friends and share no close bond with relatives.

These individuals refrain from developing social relationships of any sort.

Schizoid individuals are uptight about their feelings and avoid expressing them.

These individuals are perceived to be cold and remote.

They are usually loners and avoid participating in various social activities.

They might not even build sexual relationships.

They usually seem to be apathetic to praise as well as criticism.

They do not react emotionally to different situations which often make them appear to be bitter or aloof.

These individuals do not enjoy close ties with others and avoid indulging in any type of close bond. Their needs for love, anger and compassion seem to be non-existent or disappear at an early age.

Complications:

Individuals with schizoid personality disorder (SPD) particularly face problems in expressing anger and frustration, which tends to make others feel that they are emotionless. They also do not have any sound goals and their lives might seem directionless. They react in an inappropriate manner to various life situations and mostly avoid marriage. At a professional level, as well, these individuals might not be able to function well, particularly if their job profile requires making use of interpersonal skills.

Comorbidity with other disorders:

Individuals with schizoid personality may experience brief episodes lasting from minutes to hours. If these episodes last for a longer period of time, the disorders may change into delusional disorder or schizophrenia. Individuals with this disorderare at an increased risk for Major Depressive Disorder. Schizotypal, paranoid and Avoidant Personality disorders often occur with this disorder.