What is schizoid personality disorder and its main features. Factors contributing to the development of this disease. Types of methods for its treatment and prevention. Schizoid personality disorder is a disorder in which the patient avoids communication with other people in every possible way. The development of excessive fantasy and inclination to theorizing are manifested in the form of alienation and isolation. As a result, they cannot feel at ease during a conversation and do not understand the need to maintain any kind of friendly relationship. The rules of conduct in society are also not an example of imitation for them. Clinical manifestations become noticeable in early childhood.
Theories for the development of schizoid personality disorder
Even with the capabilities of a modern scientific base, the cause that provokes this disorder cannot be determined. In view of the studies carried out by various doctors, several theories of the development of the disease were identified at once. To one degree or another, each of them is considered to be involved in the occurrence of such changes in the human body. It is generally accepted that one or another developmental mechanism may prevail in each patient individually. Some of the credible theories are:
- Mutational … Due to the daily growth of carcinogenic substances in the environment, we can talk about their effect on the cells of the body. As a result, irreversible changes (breakdowns or replacements) occur in the structure of human genes. This may not directly affect its health, but it can be successfully passed on to descendants during inheritance. Some scientists believe that it is the presence of such damaged genetic information that can lead to the occurrence of such a disorder.
- Family … Many experts believe that the reason may be the need for communication that is not satisfied by the parents. It is known that small children, like no other, need constant supervision and help from their families. If at some period of time their curiosity is depressed or not marked by the correct reaction, then the child will avoid any communication in the future. In this case, the development of isolation and alienation from society, which cannot accept its thoughts, occurs.
- Personal … According to the supporters of this theory, the patient himself is the cause of all troubles. This happens due to a complex of self-doubt. When communicating with some people, a person cannot create a comfortable environment in this environment. Because of this, he prefers to avoid conversations in the future, considering himself unworthy. Low self-esteem does not allow the patient to take any step towards the interlocutor. The preference is given in favor of loneliness and independent pastime.
- Cognitive … Every action of a person during his behavior in society is controlled by his mental activity. Some studies have made it possible to notice that in people with this personality disorder, it is impaired, and this is precisely the main reason. Maybe a person wants to start some kind of communication, but the function of forming his opinion on this matter is violated. He cannot formulate his own thought, come to a single conclusion. As a result of such behavior, there is no place for him in society, and the only way out is to withdraw from him.
The main signs of schizoid personality disorder
It is very easy to notice a schizoid among other people. It is enough just to pay attention to the one who communicates least of all and conducts a monotonous dialogue. His speech is monotonous, consists of the repetition of several similar phrases, without any emotional accompaniment. The taste in clothes usually tends to be classic, but there are also those who like casual style. The actual symptoms of schizoid personality disorder are:
- Lack of pleasure … That, for the sake of which every person is ready to commit most of the acts, is absolutely not characteristic of people with this disorder. They are not happy with art objects, desired gifts, the arrival of a loved one, a wedding or delicious food. They have little or no desire for what is achievable. Their goals are also quite mundane and do not require additional efforts for implementation. Stay aside under any circumstances is the main motto of schizoids in life.
- Insensitivity … Its manifestations are usually more disturbing than the rest of the patient's environment. Of course, the ability to share someone else's grief is not inherent in everyone, but the absolute absence of emotions about this makes you draw attention to yourself. Especially because these people will never try to portray anxiety or hide their indifference in any way. After all, they sincerely do not understand these human feelings.
- Lack of emotionality … Every day a person is faced with some kind of incidents in his environment. In response to them, certain types of reactions are naturally generated. This is characteristic of almost all healthy people, but not patients with schizoid disorder. They do not know how to rejoice at good news and do not show any emotionality about a sad occasion. These patients treat everything that happens with the same indifference, as well as stability in their statements and actions.
- Decreased libido … A symptom that occurs quite often and is almost always perceived as a character trait. At the peak of sexual activity, patients with this personality disorder very rarely behave in the same way as their peers. In most cases, they do not show their interest in the opposite sex. And this happens not because of shyness or shyness, but because they really do not feel the need for this kind of relationship.
- Minimal response to someone else's opinion … In the modern world, there are generally accepted norms of behavior and rules of etiquette that must be observed. This symptom very well notices the inability of schizoids to maintain their status in society. A comment from a person is not followed by any special reaction. Even if he is complimented or praised for the work done, then you should not expect a violent reaction in return. The feeling of anger, just like gratitude, is not inherent in these people.
- Addiction to fantasy … Judging by all of the above, one might get the impression that these people never communicate with anyone at all. To some extent, this is true. But they fill all the lack of interlocutors with a flight of fancy. In their free time, patients try to get away from everyday life, not only physically, but also mentally. They build whole lives in their minds and play dozens of events in their heads.
Important! Only a specialized doctor can determine the presence of a disease in a person! Self-diagnosis is impossible due to the need for differential exclusion of other mental disorders.
Varieties of schizoid personality disorder
The public is always reluctant to accept people with similar diseases. After all, those who are not like them violate the rules of conduct and still do not react to any warnings and remarks. In recent years, this situation has changed slightly. Perhaps this is due to a more in-depth study of the psychological problems of such patients. Diagnosis of schizoid personality disorder has become more frequent and easier to perform. It was also accepted to divide it into two types, depending on which trait of the human character prevails:
- Expansiveness … This property is inherent in tough and strong-willed people. In their actions, they are guided only by their own judgments. It is easy to injure them and thereby cause a whole storm of negativity, but outwardly this will manifest itself only in the steadfastness of the previously made decision. In communicating with people, they are not inclined to talkativeness and prefer to use only a few dry, short phrases that contain all their opinions. Often, such patients note the complete absence of friends or even good acquaintances, which, despite the current situation, does not particularly bother them.
- Sensitivity … The predominance of this quality makes the person with schizoid disorder more quiet and withdrawn. It is not typical for them to reveal their emotions or resentment. They also try not to contradict anyone from the environment, outwardly to be directly conservative, so as not to attract attention to themselves once again. Such patients are not characterized by feelings of aggression, but on the contrary, a more vulnerable type of character is inherent. When talking with this person, you do not feel any anger at the world, but there is a clear dissatisfaction with your own personality. As a result of this behavior, patients tend to develop dependence on alcohol or other drugs.
Features of the treatment of schizoid personality disorder
If you look at the main manifestations of this personality disorder, you can understand that people with this pathology almost never consider themselves sick. That is why their treatment is a very difficult and lengthy process. Schizoids of any kind are always very aggressive against doctors. It is very difficult, and sometimes even impossible, to build a dialogue with them. Therefore, all responsibility for the quality of the therapy performed does not fall on the shoulders of friends and relatives, who should notice violations in time and try to bring such a person to a medical care center.
Treatment of schizoid disorder with medications
Unfortunately, this method of therapy in this case does not have a very big impact. Despite the variety of drugs used, it is extremely rare to achieve positive results.
First, most schizoids categorically refuse to take any pills, syrups or injections. This greatly complicates the treatment process. And secondly, the disease requires immediate medical attention. Due to the fact that its first symptoms appear even in childhood, and mainly adults turn to treatment, the response to the therapy received can no longer have the expected effect. Disorders that require correction become permanent with age and become part of the human psyche. This type of therapy is used mainly for the relief of acute conditions of the type of psychosis, which most often lead patients to a doctor. Thanks to the use of medications, it is possible to minimize the manifestations of such conditions in order to recognize the true disease.
Therefore, in the treatment of schizoid disorder, several groups of drugs are used at once, which are able to neutralize the consequences of the underlying pathology. Among the most commonly used:
- Antipsychotics … A group of medicinal substances, the action of which is to influence the mediators of the nerve fibers of the brain. As a result of this action, they can regulate violations of human behavior. They are also capable of correcting pathological thinking. Haloperidol is the most commonly used drug. It is a typical representative of this group of drugs and is used mainly for the relief of acute consequences of schizoid disorder.
- Atypical antipsychotics … A relatively new generation of drugs that have antipsychotic-like effects. But they also tend to stop depressive states. Various manifestations of apathy and indifference to the environment respond well to therapy with these drugs. The drug of choice today is called Risperidone. It is characterized by relatively few side reactions and a good final effect.
Psychological assistance methods for schizoid disorder
Today this type of treatment is the most basic, and it is around it that the whole complex of therapy is built. Only this method of assistance can be effective for use at any age. It has no restrictions on its use. Has a beneficial effect - both general and directed specifically to the disease. And in general it is effective even for preventive purposes. The following psychotherapy techniques have a good therapeutic effect:
- Cognitive … Aimed at familiarizing the patient with various human emotions. The doctor, when communicating with him, examines each feature separately, listens to the patient's personal opinion on this matter. Also, as a homework assignment, a person is invited to reflect on this or that feeling himself and apply it to any life situation. Positive emotions (joy, happiness) are mainly used.
- Group … The basis of such treatment is the creation of collective activities. During them, the doctor tries to create a healthy society with the help of patients. For each of them, it is necessary to find and accept their own merits, with the help of which they could become useful to the environment. An important point is also the person's sincere interest in the positive effect of treatment. Only under this condition is it possible to obtain the expected result.
- Behavioral … Proponents of this type of therapy focus all their efforts on creating useful role-playing games. Their essence is to place the schizoid in an uncomfortable situation for him. Often this is an event that requires the manifestation of sincere human emotions (joy, compassion). It is believed that such an impact in the form of a push contributes to their development in the patient's thinking and will help to use them someday in real life. It is very important here to keep a fine line of the patient's consent for participation and his complete reluctance to take any action.
- Psychoanalytic … In this case, it is very important to contact a good qualified specialist. To help the patient, the doctor performs an oral scan of his problems when talking to him. His next task is to develop a correction of the existing model of behavior in a given situation. In conclusion, to all this, the doctor must explain to the patient his mistakes in behavior and help change them in the future.
The single and most important problem today is the patient's consent to provide this type of care. As a rule, this becomes possible only when the consequences of this schizoid disorder occur.
During adolescence, these are behavioral problems in school or in society. As an adult, it is alcoholism and other types of addiction. Also, often the reason for seeking medical help is the manifestation of various psychoses and aggressive conditions. It is worth mentioning also the attempts of suicide, which will also lead to compulsory treatment.
Ways to Prevent Schizoid Personality Disorder
Based on the foregoing about the treatment of this personality disorder, it must be said that the ability to prevent it is the best method of struggle. At the stages of modern medicine, this is the main problem of our society. Unfortunately, this disease affects a large number of healthy people, including children.
To reduce these indicators, as well as to protect yourself and your loved ones, you need to consider several of the following recommendations for improving your lifestyle:
- Reducing stress … Today this problem affects every person on the planet. She waits from a very early childhood, continues at school, university, and then at work. Constant emotional upheaval is almost impossible to limit completely. Therefore, it is necessary to learn how to respond to them correctly. It is important that young parents explain to their child the rules of behavior in society, fight against childish tantrums and learn to communicate with their child.
- Normalization of the daily routine … This point is also not worth skipping. Indeed, it is precisely because of lack of sleep, excessively long working days, the lack of an adequate routine that many people are exposed to a constant depression. There is no need to neglect proper rational nutrition during the day.
- Proper rest … Many people feel that they are doing very well with this recommendation. But alas, this is far from the case. This paragraph does not imply sitting in front of the TV or visiting nightclubs. A person needs to spend a sufficient amount of time in the fresh air, playing sports or solitude with himself somewhere in the mountains. For children, it is compulsory to communicate with peers, attend entertaining circles or summer camps.
How to treat schizoid personality disorder - watch the video:
Schizoid disorder is an urgent problem in a progressive society. Despite the expressiveness of its signs from a very early age, its treatment begins in the presence of already formed disorders and complications. Fortunately, following prevention recommendations can prevent the disease from developing before it can compromise a disastrous outcome.
