PERSONALITY OR DISORDER? PERSONALITY DISORDERS

psikolojiozel10-1-25kapak

Schizoid Personality Disorder

Nurhan ERENa
aİstanbul University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Mental Health and Diseases, İstanbul, Türkiye

Eren N. Schizoid personality disorder. Tunç P, ed. Personality or Disorder? Personality Disorders. 1st ed. Ankara: Türkiye Klinikleri; 2025. p.10-8.

ABSTRACT
Schizoid Personality Disorder (SPD) is a personality disorder characterized by a marked detachment from social relationships and emotional coldness. It is classified under Cluster A personality disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and is primarily defined by a pervasive pattern of social anhedonia and limited emotional expression. Although SPD has been included in all versions of the DSM diagnostic system, it remains one of the least understood personality disorders to date. The low prevalence rate, the lack of empirical research on the subject, and the limitations in diagnosing SPD according to DSM criteria have contributed to its lesser understanding among researchers. However, clinicians have pointed out that schizoid personality traits are more common in therapeutic settings than typically assumed. Furthermore, psychoanalytic and psychodynamic theories provide a rich body of literature on the clinical features of schizoid personality. Object relations theorists, such as Fairbairn and Guntrip, emphasize that individuals with SPD experience a core conflict between interpersonal closeness and distancing. Schizoid symptoms such as withdrawal, introversion, and loss of affect are described as defenses against intrapsychic fears of engulfment, overstimulation, and traumatic impact by others. Although SPD is relatively rare in the general population, it can cause significant difficulties in social, emotional, and functional domains for those affected. This disorder lowers an individual’s quality of life while weakening their connections with society. The importance of SPD should be recognized at both the individual and societal levels, and early intervention along with appropriate treatment approaches should be developed. This can help individuals lead healthier and more fulfilling lives. This article discusses the definition, etiology, clinical presentation, and the psychological structure underlying schizoid personality disorder.

Keywords: Schizoid; schizoid personality disorder; etiology; psychodynamic features

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