Schizoid Personality Disorder vs. Asperger's Syndrome

My own Mom believes it's Asperger's Syndrome instead of Schizoid Personality Disorder. Anyway, I've had to correct her.

While I realize these two could be confused (and I do have a few traits of Asperger's), I think it's important to point out that those on the severe end of the spectrum of Schizoid Personality Disorder REALLY have little desire to reach out/connect to others. I'd say this is the key difference here as you'll see those with Asperger's making that attempt to reach out/connect with others in some genuine way. You just don't see that with Schizoid Personality Disorder (at least in a genuine way).

Anyone else have any thoughts on this matter?

**I'd also add that I'm not ruling out the possibility of one having Asperger's along with Schizoid Personality Disorder....I'm just referring to my specific situation.

I agree with that. In fact, I think that the thing that separates SPD from everything else is a genuine lack of desire to form relationships. In all of the disorders that people seem to confuse with SPD, like Asperger's/ASD, Narcissistic personality, Anti-social personality, Avoidant personality -- there's a desire to have relationships for various reasons. With SPD, not so much.

I think the defining trait of Aspergers/autism spectrum, is real difficulty grasping the nuances of human interaction. I think that intellectual empathy can be a real problem for them as well. Both of these traits can be present or apparent with SPD, but there's a real variation in ability.

I think that on the surface, there are some similarities between autism and SPD. Both can have flat affect, avoid eye contact, have awkward social skills. I feel as though, generally, many SPDs can train to be good in social situations, and present themselves (if they care to) better than people on the autism spectrum -- I just think the will isn't there most of the time with SPD.

smirks wrote:I agree with that. In fact, I think that the thing that separates SPD from everything else is a genuine lack of desire to form relationships. In all of the disorders that people seem to confuse with SPD, like Asperger's/ASD, Narcissistic personality, Anti-social personality, Avoidant personality -- there's a desire to have relationships for various reasons. With SPD, not so much.

I think the defining trait of Aspergers/autism spectrum, is real difficulty grasping the nuances of human interaction. I think that intellectual empathy can be a real problem for them as well. Both of these traits can be present or apparent with SPD, but there's a real variation in ability.

I think that on the surface, there are some similarities between autism and SPD. Both can have flat affect, avoid eye contact, have awkward social skills. I feel as though, generally, many SPDs can train to be good in social situations, and present themselves (if they care to) better than people on the autism spectrum -- I just think the will isn't there most of the time with SPD.

I have to agree. I would tend to present myself better than say someone with a case of Autism/Asperger's. I think that just adds to my guilt honestly lol. I know I have all of the talent to be more social/date whatever. I'm just lacking the desire. I don't know how to create it if it isn't there. My "schizoid exhibitionism" days are over as I've stated on here before.

Anyway, with my own Mom thinking it's Asperger's, I think this points to how little is understood about Schizoid Personality Disorder. Also, I'd add that little is also really understood about how a set up of something like Schizoid Personality Disorder with another Personality Disorder and/or Autism/Asperger's would present itself in everyday life. Not much attention seems to be paid on one having multiple Disorders to go with something else like Autism/Asperger's or something else entirely.

In terms of comorbidity, psychological disorders are very different from physical ones, in that people have more variability in symptoms, so how a comorbid patient would present is going to be subject to a lot of personal variation. Plus, SPD is a rather rare disorder. If the actual incidence of SPD is less than one percent of the population, finding enough of a sample size to study comorbidity with any other disorder just won't be there.

In terms of dating "talent"... just because people with SPD can, with effort, mimic social nuances, doesn't mean they have the "talent" to date or be more social. The SPD weakness is not being willing or able to share important parts of themselves with others and negotiate relationships where they benefit. It's not being able to trust and feel close to people. If you look at those aspects, people with Aspergers are light years ahead.

smirks wrote:In terms of comorbidity, psychological disorders are very different from physical ones, in that people have more variability in symptoms, so how a comorbid patient would present is going to be subject to a lot of personal variation. Plus, SPD is a rather rare disorder. If the actual incidence of SPD is less than one percent of the population, finding enough of a sample size to study comorbidity with any other disorder just won't be there.

In terms of dating "talent"... just because people with SPD can, with effort, mimic social nuances, doesn't mean they have the "talent" to date or be more social. The SPD weakness is not being willing or able to share important parts of themselves with others and negotiate relationships where they benefit. It's not being able to trust and feel close to people. If you look at those aspects, people with Aspergers are light years ahead.

I think there are enough people with Schizoid Personality Disorder (who also have other Disorders/whatever else going on) that we should know more about how something like that would present itself. I think non-Psychologist Psychology fans (casual observers in everyday life with Psychological interests) or non-clinical setting Psychologists would be informative on this particular topic. But for whatever reason, this doesn't seem to be the theme. Not everyone has to be a Psychologist to figure out some of the nuances here. It's an area where WE ALL can fill in some of the missing details. We just haven't taken the time (amazingly, as far as I'm concerned).

To me, it's not that important that someone with Schizoid Personality Disorder doesn't seek help from a Psychologist. It's where non-Psychologists or Psychologists in everyday casual observations of individuals step in to fill in that "missing gap" with their own conclusions.

Anyway, I see what you mean in that I may not have the "talent", but I can mimic social nuances well. I can't argue with where you are coming from there.

People with Asperger's are light years ahead of me there (in the social-relational department)...not so much the "schizoid exhibitionism" character, but I can't argue my genuine self is lagging far behind them. I see some of their videos online and they are really trying their best to develop some serious social skills, without question.

I'd say this is the key difference here as you'll see those with Asperger's making that attempt to reach out/connect with others in some genuine way. You just don't see that with Schizoid Personality Disorder (at least in a genuine way).

Oh? Where does it say this? You may be right; that is certainly a good difference between the two, I would think, but I am not sure that it is true. If we are speaking of formal testifications, a physician, after thirty minutes, proclaimed me on the autism spectrum, whereof it is my understanding that aspergers also lies, though I would think that the only thing that withholds me from SPD is the personality disorder itself; I cannot but think that if I had a personality disorder, it would be of the schizoid distinction. Do you say that men with schizoid personality disorder do not like the thought of love and wedding? What is wrong with it?

Do you say that men with schizoid personality disorder do not like the thought of love and wedding? What is wrong with it?

I'll only speak for myself, but I do not dislike dating/marriage. It's simply, often, too much effort for so little that is gained. There is nothing wrong with it, it simply isn't something I seek out. I don't seek it out because I do not get the same enjoyment that others get.

I think most Schizoids simply don't desire it enough to make an effort.

Meepwned wrote:

Do you say that men with schizoid personality disorder do not like the thought of love and wedding? What is wrong with it?

I'll only speak for myself, but I do not dislike dating/marriage. It's simply, often, too much effort for so little that is gained. There is nothing wrong with it, it simply isn't something I seek out. I don't seek it out because I do not get the same enjoyment that others get.

I think most Schizoids simply don't desire it enough to make an effort.

The whole dating thing is too cliche for me. Sure, I've had my bouts of "schizoid exhibitionism" (where I put on the act of being interested in the whole dating scene). It didn't do much for me really. I find the whole act tiring.

Guess I could always just look for sex online and forget the dating part. Lol...don't have the desire to do that either.

As for working on my social skills? Lol...I try to avoid socializing as much as possible. I encounter so much meaningless conversation in everyday life that I sometimes consider wearing earphones everywhere. I just don't come across too many interesting people. I try to look for deeper, more intellectual conversation, but I rarely find it (even on this board, sadly). Guess I'm hard to stimulate.

I spent enough time considering it. What I learned is that the ASD spectrum is broad enough where certain personalities can make some connections.

As for intellectual stimulation, you really just need to find someone as much or more interested about the topic(s). The internet makes this easier but not guaranteed. Considering how small this forum is and that we are Schizoid, I imagine the possibility of finding that someone here to be very slim.

I should also add that off topic and derailed threads is frowned upon. This makes it a bit difficult to go down the rabbit hole where things tend to get interesting, where you really get to know people and how they function.

iabsurdlyexist wrote:I spent enough time considering it. What I learned is that the ASD spectrum is broad enough where certain personalities can make some connections.

As for intellectual stimulation, you really just need to find someone as much or more interested about the topic(s). The internet makes this easier but not guaranteed. Considering how small this forum is and that we are Schizoid, I imagine the possibility of finding that someone here to be very slim.

I should also add that off topic and derailed threads is frowned upon. This makes it a bit difficult to go down the rabbit hole where things tend to get interesting, where you really get to know people and how they function.