Diagnostic Criteria, Schizoid Personality Disorder

In my early and mid 20's in an attempt to discover myself somewhat,I began researching. I was surprised to find how often Asperger's came up. I actually have a relative who is diagnosed with Asperger's, and while I relate to him somewhat, I find that the functional ability is by and large no where comparable. It seems, while high-functioning, he operates with a certain obliviousness to it that we simply don't enjoy.

And no I have not been diagnosed by anyone other than my self, but that is to say that I feel absolutely no compulsion to go down that road.

Astaroth wrote:I haven't been formally diagnosed with schizoid PD but that whole character description fits me perfectly. I even know the specific time in my life when it started manifesting in my life, in 7th grade in middle school. I was a semi-popular kid in grade school. As a young kid, I loved playing outside with other kids, plenty of friends, the whole deal... anyways, in 7th grade, I started feeling a bit different. I noticed within myself that I was withdrawing from friends and social situations. I became even more quiet, introverted and a loner among other things... High school was extremely difficult for me. I developed anxiety from a situation that happened the summer before high school and as a result I suffered from major depression during that time. Over the last year, I've finally let go of the last two friendships that I had because me and my former friends I felt grew apart and that we just didn't have the same things in common much anymore. Also it was too draining to keep the relationships going so I stopped calling and taking calls from them.

Your situation is practically identical to mine, right down to the starting point. I'm currently in Year 10, or for those outside of Britain, Freshman, though I "suffer" from agoraphobia. I quote suffer because that it what I am told, I don't believe I'm suffering. The basic facts are these; I'm 15, a known agoraphobic who hasn't left the house in a year and has no plans to unless everybody simultaneously dropped off the face of the earth, misanthropic and last but not least a paranoid narcissist (Not as extreme as the actual disorder). I do have a psychiatrist along with several other references from school (I cannot attend school whilst enjoying myself in the comfort of my own home. obviously) though she only believes I have anxiety problems and depression so far, we haven't gotten to the point where she asks me questions unrelated to anxiety etc.. and we've only had three sessions. Honestly, I'd be thankful if they all gave up because I'm a stubborn being like that and am generally happier without people coming in and out of my doors daily. What I really want is confirmation, I firmly believe that I may have been developing schizoid tendencies throughout the past few years and it's resulted in a full blown disorder, but I'm not sure that it is possible, so hearing your story almost feels like relief that I'm not the only teen whom might just be going to extreme measures i.e self-diagnosing (Take note that I'm not self-diagnosing to the point where I am telling people that I'm schizoid) just to give an excuse for her own ignorance.

cathasmytongue wrote:I'm new.

I have not been officially diagnosed as schizoid--though I do believe that diagnosis fits best.

My question is:

Does anyone else forget to bathe, take medication, things like that? I am off in la-la land most of the time--wherever that might be.

Thanks.

I was more forgetfull while taking my meds properly. I took them for 3 years straight and stopped about 8 months ago. My mind has never been more clear in my life, what is that about?

Hi, I'm Emily and I sort of diagnosed myself as well. I've used online tests but I haven't been to a doctor or whatever yet. I'm only 18, but all this started around 6 years ago, so I was in the 7th grade.

I haven't left the house except a couple of times ever since my school let out and I graduated on June 8th. The only two times I went out were to my most trusted friend Danielle's graduation party and my dentist appointment. Now, when I say friend, I mean like.. she and I act the same. We don't get emotional with each other, and we're both okay with that. She makes me feel more comfortable than most others do. Which is why I like being around her. Sometimes I just want to leave and go home though... especially since at her grad party she had at least 10 friends there... I mean they were acquaintances of mine, but I don't really enjoy being around them that much.

I have a lot of fantasies, and the majority of them involve sex at some point. They're basically customized drama shows that (I just now figured out) reflect my inner self. One is this: I picture a 12 year old blond boy being sexually, physically, emotionally, and mentally abused.. and then being rescued by his godfather (who's also a butler), and now I realize that I made this fantasy because I feel like I've been abused (or at least I want to) and the butler thing is where I want to be babied a bit (emotionally). But I'd never go and ask for this babying thing. I mean, I told my parents that I'm NOT sleeping in my room when I lay down and close my eyes, and I told them this 4 years ago. They still think I'm (or at least call it) sleeping. So they don't get it, and they definitely don't understand (or wouldn't I suppose). If they can't even understand that I'm not sleeping, why/how would they understand any more of it, right? My relationships with my mom dad and brother are extremely weak and I'd like to keep it that way.

My dad talks too much and my mom and older brother talk too little. My mom is on anti depressants and she smokes, and my brother smokes too. My dad doesn't though. I've craved to know what it's like to drink and smoke (marijuana not ciggs) but I haven't tried it yet. I really really want to.

Please respond; I'm eager to hear your stories so I can feel like someone else goes through this, too. (I need constant reassurance from others)

MeAndOther wrote:I was more forgetfull while taking my meds properly. I took them for 3 years straight and stopped about 8 months ago. My mind has never been more clear in my life, what is that about?

Meds can give the brain a chance to rewire itself, change thought patterns and so on, so perhaps that's happened here, you've had a chance to heal some of the anti-patterns which were inhibiting your natural memory.

GraeSkies wrote: Hi, I'm Emily and I sort of diagnosed myself as well. I've used online tests but I haven't been to a doctor or whatever yet. I'm only 18, but all this started around 6 years ago, so I was in the 7th grade.

Emily, why do you think you're schizoid more than avoidant? The two have traits in common, and the need for reassurance seems more AvPD to me. Not that I am a therapist, and this should not be construed as a diagnosis.

Ada wrote:Emily, why do you think you're schizoid and not avoidant? The two have traits in common, and the reassurance seems more AvPD to me. Not that I am a therapist, and this should not be construed as a diagnosis.

Because I overworded that. I'm sorry, I didn't mean constant. I don't really know how to explain myself. I don't NEED CONSTANT reassurance. I'd just like to have it I guess.

People have said that having a facebook makes me not schizoid, when I don't even talk to people on facebook... I go for the funny pictures of cats and memes and stuff. I don't want to sound like I'm mad, but there's no other way I can word it.

Just because I take care of my life a little differently doesn't mean I don't at least ACT like a schizoid and I would like to be able to talk about my fantasies and how I act because I'd like to be accepted among the people who act alike. That's what I meant to say when I said I need reassurance. I just want to be able to have a label, to explain upfront what's wrong with me when my mom or dad asks. I can tell them that "I'm a schizoid, look it up" instead of having to take the extra time to explain how I feel and what I do and why (you understand how awkward that is, right?). If I keep getting replies about how I'm not schizoid FROM schizoids then what am I supposed to say to my family? That I just don't want them? That would hurt their feelings.

I'm both an overt and a covert when it comes to this schizoid thing, it just depends on who I'm talking to and when, and what about. I sometimes put on a mask to appear normal just in case I can't handle things by myself, I'd need someone to turn to. Which I can't ever see myself doing at this point.. you know talking about something personal to my mom and dad or something.

Basically I just would like the reassurance so I know I can talk to you guys instead of people in real life because text holds no emotion (most of the time) and it's more comfortable for me to talk about this stuff online anyway.

GraeSkies wrote:I don't want to sound like I'm mad, but there's no other way I can word it.

I will help you then:

GraeSkies wrote:Because I overworded that. I'm sorry, I didn't mean constant. I don't really know how to explain myself. I don't NEED CONSTANT reassurance. I'd just like to have it I guess.

I need to be sure before i talk to my parents about this.

There. Everything else is irrelevant.

Anyway, why the hell you want a label? You can talk to 'us'(i do think we are humans?) without a label.

If you want to talk here, just talk. You don't need a schizoid ID card and anyway not everyone in this sub-forum has SPD. But don't expect people to relate to your posts just because you brandish a label at them.

GraeSkies wrote:I just want to be able to have a label, to explain upfront what's wrong with me when my mom or dad asks. I can tell them that "I'm a schizoid, look it up" instead of having to take the extra time to explain how I feel and what I do and why (you understand how awkward that is, right?).

I'm an imperfect schizoid and feel no need to explain myself to anyone. "Coming out" as having schizoid traits would cause FAR more attention and stress than it would save. Also, since the label doesn't fit you perfectly you'd still have to explain to your parents which aspects apply and which don't, after they've looked it up. For instance, many schizoids have little or no interest in sex and aren't frequently fantasising about it. They aren't nearly as sensitive to real or perceived criticism as you are, and they tend to be cool and detached, which I am not finding in your posts. Your parents can't respond to you in the way you want unless you are honest with them. It's not useful to have a misapplied label.

GraeSkies wrote:
People have said that having a facebook makes me not schizoid, when I don't even talk to people on facebook... I go for the funny pictures of cats and memes and stuff. I don't want to sound like I'm mad, but there's no other way I can word it.

I just want to be able to have a label, to explain upfront what's wrong with me when my mom or dad asks. I can tell them that "I'm a schizoid, look it up" instead of having to take the extra time to explain how I feel and what I do and why (you understand how awkward that is, right?). If I keep getting replies about how I'm not schizoid FROM schizoids then what am I supposed to say to my family? That I just don't want them? That would hurt their feelings.

Basically I just would like the reassurance so I know I can talk to you guys instead of people in real life because text holds no emotion (most of the time) and it's more comfortable for me to talk about this stuff online anyway.

I'm not saying schizoids CAN'T have facebook, just that it's strange for them too. There are schizoids who are married and have kids. I'm just talking about from my personal experience, it seems absurd to me. I can't diagnose you, I'm just trying to tell you to think of other possibilities.

I've NEVER told my parents. You just have to be gentle with them, really. My parents basically have the jist of what's wrong with me. They don't need to know I have a PD. I mean, they'll all go away for the weekend without even asking me now. It's a nice little surprise when I wake up and have the house to myself. Because they know that not only would I not care, but I would enjoy having the house to myself.

You don't need our reassurance. It doesn't matter if you're the most outgoing person ever. You could still post here. It doesn't matter. Again, I'm not trying to be mean to you or anything. I'm just pointing out the flaws, as seen by me. If you were schizoid anyway, you'd be more likely to listen to what we're saying and consider it instead of blindly defending your self-diagnosis.

doritocakes wrote:You don't need our reassurance. It doesn't matter if you're the most outgoing person ever. You could still post here. It doesn't matter. Again, I'm not trying to be mean to you or anything. I'm just pointing out the flaws, as seen by me. If you were schizoid anyway, you'd be more likely to listen to what we're saying and consider it instead of blindly defending your self-diagnosis.

You're right, and I think I'm not just a schizoid. I think I'm the subtype of avoidant, schizotypal schizoid.
I just found out about this PD a couple nights ago and got excited about realizing that I'm not just some lazy girl who lays in bed all day daydreaming, and that it's actually something that I can give a name. So I rushed online to find a forum with the PD as the main topic and this is the forum I found.
Now that I read about the avoidant and schizotypal parts of this PD, and how it CAN apply, I think now you guys (and myself) may understand why I act a little different from the typical schizoid.
I'm afraid of rejection online, and irl it sort of still upsets me but I just act like it doesn't.

But you guys know more than I do, and I'm just trying to figure out what I am. So far, I think I'm just the Remote Schizoid. But maybe I'm not? You guys can see my personality better than me right now. If you want to help me diagnose myself, I wrote a blog about which traits apply to me and which ones don't of the avoidant, schizotypal and schizoid PDs.