Major disorders

slimsally wrote:Also, I didn't know SPDs are sometimes also dx'd with autism. I assumed they couldn't co-occur.

As far as I can extend my reading comprehension, it seems they can't be. From DSM 5:

B. Does not occur exclusively during the course of schizophrenia, a bipolar disorder or depressive disorder with psychotic features, another psychotic disorder, or autism spectrum disorder and is not attributable to the physiological effects of another medical condition.

This is also interesting and related to the thread, again from the diagnostic manual:

Differential Diagnosis
Other mental disorders with psychotic symptoms.
Schizoid personality disorder can be distinguished from delusional disorder, schizophrenia, and a bipolar or depressive dis order with psychotic features because these disorders are all characterized by a period of persistent psychotic symptoms (e.g., delusions and hallucinations). To give an additional diagnosis of schizoid personality disorder, the personality disorder must have been present before the onset of psychotic symptoms and must persist when the psychotic symptoms are in remission. When an individual has a persistent psychotic disorder (e.g., schizophrenia) that was preceded by schizoid personality disorder, schizoid personality disorder should also be recorded, followed by "premorbid" in parentheses.

Autism spectrum disorder.
There may be great difficulty differentiating individuals with schizoid personality disorder from those with milder forms of autism spectrum disorder, which may be differentiated by more severely impaired social interaction and stereotyped behaviors and interests.

Personality change due to another medical condition.
Schizoid personality disorder must be distinguished from personality change due to another medical condition, in which the traits that emerge are attributable to the effects of another medical condition on the central nervous system.

Substance use disorders.
Schizoid personality disorder must also be distinguished from symptoms that may develop in association with persistent substance use.

Other personality disorders and personality traits.
Other personality disorders may be confused with schizoid personality disorder because they have certain features in com mon. It is, therefore, important to distinguish among these disorders based on differences in their characteristic features. However, if an individual has personality features that meet criteria for one or more personality disorders in addition to schizoid personality dis order, all can be diagnosed. Although characteristics of social isolation and restricted af- fectivity are common to schizoid, schizotypal, and paranoid personality disorders, schizoid personality disorder can be distinguished from schizotypal personality disorder by the lack of cognitive and perceptual distortions and from paranoid personality disorder by the lack of suspiciousness and paranoid ideation. The social isolation of schizoid per sonality disorder can be distinguished from that of avoidant personality disorder, which is attributable to fear of being embarrassed or found inadequate and excessive anticipation of rejection. In contrast, people with schizoid personality disorder have a more pervasive detachment and limited desire for social intimacy. Individuals with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder may also show an apparent social detachment stemming from devo tion to work and discomfort with emotions, but they do have an underlying capacity for intimacy.

Individuals who are "loners" may display personality traits that might be considered schizoid. Only when these traits are inflexible and maladaptive and cause significant func tional impairment or subjective distress do they constitute schizoid personality disorder.

Courtier wrote:I have not been dxed. I'm finally officially on a waiting list to see what a professional might think about me. Though, my concern is, if she doesn't agree with me, it'll be because she's stupid rather than because she's right More seriously, probably I fit the diagnostic criteria which, of course, is behavioural in nature. The deeper questions about my motivations are more interesting but not dealt with adequately by the DSM.

I spend a lot of time on the AsPD forum, nursing my Cluster B traits, having some both in terms of AsPD and NPD (generally traits that can be shared when looking at both individually). My essence, whatever that might mean, is probably schizoid in nature. If it is, I am most likely of the covert/secret schizoid variety. A majority of my life is still made up of withdrawal and detachment, weak identity, anhedonia, and a dismissive/avoidant attachment style but, in instances where I do engage socially, I find myself quite capable and willing to be assertive or extroverted in energy (simply meaning I can project it outwards towards people and the space I'm in, rather than inwards like usual), have an absence of affective empathy, an exploitative personality style, manipulativeness, etc. The traits in the B cluster are mostly likely subclinical, since the disruptions tend not to be criminally maladaptive.

Interesting description. I know often times schizoids will on occasion gravitate towards looking for things that might insight a reaction in themselves or others, and it won't necessarily be anything criminal either. I think this is probably pretty common for secret schizoids especially. I figure whatever makes us coverts act social likely makes us want to on occasion look into things that would be more dramatic to balance out the extrovert from the introvert even if it's a facade.

I'm also somewhat curious about the NPD side. Reason I bring it up is, it sounds like you recognize this could be a problem when hearing your dx. I would assume most NPD's would simply assume the professional was wrong, but it seems you'd be somewhat willing to recognize it as a bit of a delusional coping mechanism. For example I tend to come off as narcissistic (have been called this,) but it's mainly due to me being overly talkative, and sounding arrogant due to being tired of emotional people making things overly complicated. Might be a bit of a mix of that with avoidant (since avpd doesn't usually take well to critique either). Also remember schizoids are introspective. If you only spend time with yourself...chances are you'll be the one you're thinking about the most.

Granted I'm only going off of what you said here. I'm not a psychologist obviously, but those came to my mind as possibilities as well. Hopefully her dx will be something you can agree with. Good luck!

Haha. The bit about us not agreeing on a dx, meaning the therapist is stupid, was just tongue-in-cheek. I'm quite okay with whatever they might think is appropriate, whether AvPD or NPD or ASD, major depression or even non-disorerd (though, I seriously doubt that is the case). It isn't a process I'm invested in emotionally. Would just like a double check. If it's something they think can be fixed like a depression instead of schizoid anhedonia then the 8 weeks or whatever of therapy will be worthwhile. It's sensible to have it checked.

NPD traits I might possess include grandiose fantasies which might tie in with a schizoid inner world, self-enhancing and pathological lying, superficial charm and lack of empathy / callous behaviours, and possibly an arrogance. Being wrong isn't an upset to me. It's quite welcome, actually. I like being corrected by people. It makes me feel fond of them to know that they are thinking. I like the feeling of 'touché'.

. Might be a bit of a mix of that with avoidant (since avpd doesn't usually take well to critique either).

I was a little confused here. Did you mean that you might have AvPD traits? In which case, what others do you think you might have? Being bipolar and schizoid and whatever else is quite the badge collection It's an interesting dynamic of symptoms. Do you identify more strongly with one diagnosis-- A 'dominant' personality style or feature of cognition, maybe-- than others? I'd ask the same question of the others who have comorbidity too: Does one disorder dominate the other?

Courtier wrote:Haha. The bit about us not agreeing on a dx, meaning the therapist is stupid, was just tongue-in-cheek. I'm quite okay with whatever they might think is appropriate, whether AvPD or NPD or ASD, major depression or even non-disorerd (though, I seriously doubt that is the case). It isn't a process I'm invested in emotionally. Would just like a double check. If it's something they think can be fixed like a depression instead of schizoid anhedonia then the 8 weeks or whatever of therapy will be worthwhile. It's sensible to have it checked.

NPD traits I might possess include grandiose fantasies which might tie in with a schizoid inner world, self-enhancing and pathological lying, superficial charm and lack of empathy, and possibly an arrogance. Being wrong isn't an upset to me. It's quite welcome, actually. I like being corrected by people. It makes me feel fond of them to know that they are thinking. I like the feeling of 'touché'.

. Might be a bit of a mix of that with avoidant (since avpd doesn't usually take well to critique either).

I was a little confused here. Did you mean that you might have AvPD traits? In which case, what others do you think you might have? Being bipolar and schizoid and whatever else is quite the badge collection It's an interesting dynamic of symptoms. Do you identify more strongly with one diagnosis-- A 'dominant' personality style or feature of cognition, maybe-- than others? I'd ask the same question of the others who have comorbidity too: Does one disorder dominate the other?

Ah ignore me then. I misunderstood about the "being wrong" bit. That's where I got AvPD. That's not it then. No biggie.

In regards to my personality both sides are in their way dominant, but my bipolar side is more so where my schizoid side is out of obligation.

My schizoid side is a quiet voyeur type that can fake the want to enter into a confrontation to deal with something so I don't regret not doing it later.

My bipolar side is a spoiled teenager who doesn't care if people don't like her. She's gonna do whatever she wants as long as it won't annoy my schizoid self later. I don't tend to be as much manipulative during this time, in so much as trying to get a reaction. I get very oddly social when bipolar to the point where I'd expect someone who had never seen my mania would think I was intoxicated or something.

My bipolar side and schizoid side hate each other by the way.