I am schizoid

I used to think I might be Schizoid because I am almost totally isolated and almost fully disinterested in people. I find people at best dull, at worst, extremely negative.

Then I realized that to qualify as a mental illness it should 1. cause you distress 2. impose harm on society.

I am perfectly good with my isolation, I work, I contribute to society, and my mom (whom I live with) understands my aloofness. So why classify it as a mental illness? Because it's interesting? Or because it will allow the apes to leave me be because they see that I can't help it?

CityMouse wrote:I used to think I might be Schizoid because I am almost totally isolated and almost fully disinterested in people. I find people at best dull, at worst, extremely negative.

Then I realized that to qualify as a mental illness it should 1. cause you distress 2. impose harm on society.

I am perfectly good with my isolation, I work, I contribute to society, and my mom (whom I live with) understands my aloofness. So why classify it as a mental illness? Because it's interesting? Or because it will allow the apes to leave me be because they see that I can't help it?

I've been thinking along similar lines lately. At this point, as far as I can tell, the only thing being labeled as schizoid has afforded me is an excuse.

That said, you're a loner, CityMouse.

Maybe. I would think a loner would be at peace with not only their isolation, but the throngs of people they are isolating themselves from. That doesn't seem to be that case for you. You seem to have contempt for people, evident not only in your past posts, but in your use of the word "apes". I share this contempt, so where does that leave us?

I think I know a good deal about where my contempt comes from. Do you?

My apologies if I misunderstood and you are literally being harassed by a troop of apes.

I think the distress clause comes about when trying to socialize yourself. Since you are not trying to fit in, no distress. If you want, we could test my hypothesis.

iabsurdlyexist wrote:I think the distress clause comes about when trying to socialize yourself. Since you are not trying to fit in, no distress. If you want, we could test my hypothesis.

How would we test that?

naps wrote:How would we test that?

Work your way up to the manager of HR and/or coach a little league team to name a couple. Basically, put yourself out there where socialization and forming relationships is pretty much a requirement. I know some of you are are waiters/waitresses and what not but I don't think that requires the same in depth relationships with people.

I don't really have contempt for others. Sometimes, I wish they'd get their $#%^ together and focus on more important aspects of the human race but then they wouldn't be them. They do their thing, I do mine. I'd rather not be in the middle of it but such is life.

iabsurdlyexist wrote:
Work your way up to the manager of HR and/or coach a little league team to name a couple. Basically, put yourself out there where socialization and forming relationships is pretty much a requirement. I know some of you are are waiters/waitresses and what not but I don't think that requires the same in depth relationships with people.

That would only work if the activity you put yourself into is something you enjoy of have an interest in.

naps wrote:That would only work if the activity you put yourself into is something you enjoy of have an interest in.

Are you not interested or are you not interested because you are Schizoid?

I'm saying I have no interest in coaching little league, so that would be a bad choice. But if it were something that aligned with one of my interests, it would be a good way to get out of the house and socialize. The activity would be the point. The social aspect wouldn't be as important.

I know it's common for schizoids to have limited interest in things, but I don't feel that way. My problem is motivating myself to pursue my interests.

naps wrote:I'm saying I have no interest in coaching little league, so that would be a bad choice. But if it were something that aligned with one of my interests, it would be a good way to get out of the house and socialize. The activity would be the point. The social aspect wouldn't be as important.

I know it's common for schizoids to have limited interest in things, but I don't feel that way. My problem is motivating myself to pursue my interests.

I was just throwing out examples. I wouldn't do either of those myself but I also wouldn't pick any social activities because I don't gain anything from them. As you mentioned, it's the activity that matters. I don't go drinking to socialize, I do it to try new beers or sip wine and chill.

I feel like we are getting into being defined by Schizoid territory. It should remain that you are you but Schizoid is a simple way to explain your personality without having to explain it. It's only considered a disorder because you don't take to socialization like everyone else.

I have no problem pursuing interests. Finding interests is the hard part for me. It's all been there done that. Age isn't helping here. Personally, if I still had interests that I haven't pursued, it might be a reason to keep on going.

Perhaps instead of saying "not interested in" a better phrasing might be "not motivated enough to"

I have plenty of interests but I have an almost impossible time motivating myself to pursue them.