questions about your schizoid experience

eddy wrote:I don't think there are asocial or antisocial people;there are people that,for some different reasons connected to their relationships with thei parents in their childwood,become "asocial" or "antisocial":they refuse their feelings about other persons,principally because they don't want to prove again the pain they proved when they were babies.

These three particular "points" are incorrect imo.
Asocial: Schizoid people are asocial. Like anything, "asocial" is a relative definition, meaning that you have to compare it with something else to know it's true value. Schizoids, compared to "normal grey dull people with a 8 to 16 job, villa, wife, 2 kids and a dog named Bruno" are asocial. I don't think you seriously can disagree with me on this. Compared to the other "groups" in society, schizoids are asocial. We want to live alone or chose when to spend time with people.

Anti-social: If you go to the Anti-social PD part of these forums and tell those guys (and gals) in there that their PD is an illusion, then you are gonna get your ass flamed, no doubt. Anti-social people do exist, and that is a fact. Turn on your TV and check the news. All those school shootings, robberies, rapes, assaults, should be enough proof.
One of the criterias is as follows:
-Failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest

Last of all:
Im not rejecting any of my emotions towards people. No, its quite the opposite: I embrace my general disgust and loathing of the human population.

But you are right on one point at least: Not everyone is like what I described. Some people actually value friendship.

Dont draw a link between sociopathy/psychopathy and murder/rape/assult/theft ect.

That's exactly what Im doing. Do you have a problem with that?
I've come across a bunch of ASPD's in my life and they were all criminal in some way or another.
Lying, manipulative, backstabbing, parasitic thieves. Thats what they are.

That's exactly what Im doing. Do you have a problem with that?
I've come across a bunch of ASPD's in my life and they were all criminal in some way or another.
Lying, manipulative, backstabbing, parasitic thieves. Thats what they are.

normal people do that 2

Be a good young lad and hold off on the ignorant comments.

Theres a world of difference between a real sociopath and someone who has sociopathic tendencies and someone you suspect being a sociopath.

Either way you wouldnt be able to dechipher one from say your mail man or anyone else.

And as prot has started, all people do bad things.

Whatever, Im not here to convince anyone.
My experience with these people are still experiences.

Hi,

eddy wrote:At first,condition of "indifferent to praise or criticism"(one of the DSMIV item) is typicall of you or not?

Yes, but not always : it depends on who is praising/criticizing me (if I value the opinion of the person or not - though generally I don't care what they think). I've always had trouble responding to compliments... never knew how I was supposed to act, since I often felt nothing - well, I don't need people telling me I'm clever or that my clothes are beautiful, I already know it

eddy wrote:It was always so?(I mean:whenyou were younger,was it different?)

I don't remember very well, but I think I was indifferent to praise / criticism when I was young. Then I wasn't (from 9 to 15 years old, approximately - social phobia)... And now I am again.

eddy wrote:SECOND,Do you feel anxiety in social situations?If the answer is yes,can you identify the cause of this anxiety?

As mentionned above, I suffered from social phobia quite recently ( fear of the judgement of others). Don't know why I developed it...

eddy wrote:Third,Do you fell alone sometimes?Did you always prefer solitude?

Yes I feel alone sometimes... but if I see someone I wish to be alone again in no time.

eddy wrote:FOURTH,In the course of your life do you noted a change in your ability
to experience pleasure or interest in something(like books,movies,music,etc.)?

Not really. All activities are and have nearly always been for me just a way of passing the time.
But my life has not been long up to now, only 17 years... it can still change.

Hello Eddy,

This is the first time I posted so I should introduce myself a little. I am a 39 year old male and only recently came to the realization that I was not just introverted, but something more. Or less, depending on your point of view.

When I began to look at possibilities I slowly found my way to the criteria for a Schizoid. I found I matched all points dead on. I admittedly was somewhat distressed that my personality was described as a disorder. But, also relieved that I could perhaps find some answers to some of the questions I have had about my behaviour.

All of the below responses relate to my life interacting with people at work. Nothing in my personal life, the reason being I have no real social interaction with anyone outside of work. My mother and sister and that is it. Sad by true.

Here are my answers to your questions,

1) Praise or Criticism
When I was a young boy I could not take criticism at all. I would become very embarrased and feel overwhelmed. I could say nothing in response to learn or discuss whatever issue was at hand, I just wanted to hide. I totally ignored praise as I believed what ever I had done was normal and they were patronizing me.

As I got older I was able to take criticism better. I can't give you an age for this really. I did not care what the other person thought for the most part. What bothered me about the criticism was I had to talk about myself and my reasons for doing something in order to answer the criticism. I don't like to reveal anything about myself so I hated this.

To compensate, I became very intellectual, an excellent debater, perfectionist, and sarcastic. As a result I became a machine in a way. Criticize me, and I have numerous well though out responses to any question. Praise me, well no one does now since they know it is unwelcome and pointless. I am comfortable with that. In many ways praise feels to me like a way for people to try to get close to me or illicite an emotion and I find that intrusive.

2)Do I feel anxiety in social situations?
I do not in busness situations that involve only business. As soon as a business situation becomes social I become uncomfortable. I don't want to discuss myself and want to get back to business. So my anxiety in any situation, is that I don't want to discuss myself. I don't feel threated by other people, just pressured for me to reveal myself to them. I don't mind them talking about themselves as I find others lives interesting. Like a story! I however don't feel any connection to the person though. Once they have run out of stories, I become uninterested in them.


3) Do you feel alone??
I would say no 99% of the time. For that 1% of the time, I feel that I would like company to talk too, but it would be on my terms, not theirs. So, I choose to not look for company.


4) Experience of pleasure through my life
I seem to be like you. When I was young I would feel overwhelmed by emotions. Now I feel very little. Only the most extreme experiences elicit any kind of emotion from me. This condition has led me to try to figure out why I was like this.

I have thought alot as to why this has occurred. Overly emotional when young but now cold and unfeeling. I can only assume that all the defence mechanisms that I have built when young, and re-enforced over the years have deadened all feelings that I have. Pleasure and pain alike.

All this being said, I will now work hard to change the person I am so my life can be more fulfilling. I just have to figure out how to do that!

Hopfully my answers have given you some comfort or insight into your own life.

Regards,