Schizoid Personality Disorder

Question 1

What is a personality disorder?

Answer 1

an enduring pattern of inner experience and behavior that

• deviates markedly from the expectations of the individual’sculture
• is pervasive and inflexible
• has an onset in adolescence or early adulthood
• is stable over time
• leads to distress or impairment

Question 2

What is schizoid personality disorder?

Answer 2

a pattern of detachment from social relationships and a restricted range of emotional expression

Question 3

What are the A1 and A2 criteria for schizoid personality disorder?

Answer 3

A1. does not desire or enjoy close relationships (including family)

A2. chooses solitary activities, or acts like a loner

Question 4

What are the A3 and A4 criteria for schizoid personality disorder?

Answer 4

A3. little to no interest in sexual activity with others

A4. pleasure gained from few, if any, activities

Question 5

What are the A5 and A6 criteria for schizoid personality disorder?

Answer 5

A5. no close friends or confidants, except possibly first-degree relatives

A6. don’t care what people think of them, good or bad

Question 6

What is the A7 criterion for schizoid personality disorder?

Answer 6

A7. shows emotional coldness, detachment, or flattened affectivity (bland or emotionless exterior, does not reciprocate facial gestures)

Question 7

How many of the A criteria does an individual need to exhibit to be properly diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder?

Answer 7

four or more

Question 8

What is the B criterion for schizoid personality disorder?

Answer 8

symptoms can not occur exclusively during the course of schizophrenia, mood disorder with psychotic features, or pervasive developmental disorder, and is not due to the direct effects of general medical condition

Question 9

What other disorders are associated with schizoid personality disorder?

Answer 9

• major depressive disorder
• most often co-occurs with schizotypal, paranoid, and avoidant personality disorders
• may appear as a premorbid antecedent to delusional disorder or schizophrenia

Question 10

How can schizoid personality disorder be differentiated from delusional disorder, schizophrenia, or mood disorder with psychotic features?

Answer 10

schizoid personality disorder does not feature persistent psychotic symptoms, but may appear as a premorbid condition to these disorders

Question 11

How can schizoid personality disorder be differentiated from autism or asperger’s disorder?

Answer 11

autism and asperger’s disorder are marked with more severely impaired social interaction

Question 12

How can schizoid personality disorder be differentiated from schizotypal personality disorder?

Answer 12

schizoid personality disorder lacks cognitive and perceptual distortions

Question 13

How can schizoid personality disorder be differentiated from paranoid personality disorder?

Answer 13

paranoid personality disorder is marked by suspiciousness and paranoid ideation

Question 14

How can schizoid personality disorder be differentiated from avoidant personality disorder?

Answer 14

The social isolation in avoidant personality disorder stems from excessive anticipation of rejection and a fear of being embarrassed or found inadequate. People with schizoid personality disorder are more detached and have a limited desire for social intimacy.

Question 15

How can schizoid personality disorder be differentiated from obsessive-compulsive personality disorder?

Answer 15

individuals with OCPD still have the underlying capacity for intimacy with others