Abstract

The schizoid personality disorder is a pervasive pattern of social detachment and restricted emotional expression. Introversion (versus extraversion) is one of the fundamental dimensions of general personality functioning. Facets of introversion include low warmth (e.g., cold, detached, impersonal), low gregariousness (socially isolated, withdrawn) and low positive emotions (reserved, constricted or flat affect, anhedonic), which define well the central symptoms of Schizoid Personality Disorder. Schizoid Personality Disorder can be confused with the schizotypal and avoidant personality disorders as all involve social isolation and withdrawal. Schizotypal personality disorder, however, also includes an intense social anxiety and cognitive–perceptual aberrations. The major distinction with avoidant personality disorder is the absence of an intense desire for intimate social relationships. Avoidant persons will also exhibit substantial insecurity and inhibition, whereas the schizoid person is largely indifferent toward the reactions or opinions of others.

The aim of this work is to review Schizoid Personality Disorder regarding (and including):
1- General background about Schizoid Personality Disorder.
2- Psychopathology of Schizoid Personality Disorder according to different psychopathological models with special emphasis on the object relational point of view.
3- Psychotherapy of Schizoid Personality Disorder including both individual as well as group psychotherapeutic interventions.
4- Linking theoretical background of Schizoid Personality Disorder involving psychopathology and psychotherapy to our clinical experience especially in group psychotherapy.

Reviewing the literature on psychopathology of schizoid personality disorder, it has been found that the object relation theorists had the greatest interest in approaching the schizoid dilemma.

Regarding the views of Melani Klein, she thought that the violent splitting of the self and excessive projection as well as narcissistic nature which derives from the infantile introjective and projective processes may lead to a compulsive tie to certain objects or—another outcome—to a shrinking from people in order to prevent both a destructive intrusion into them and the danger of retaliation by them. The fear of such dangers may show itself in various negative attitudes in object relations.

Fairbairn had a broader view when he widened the term “Schizoid personality” to cover many states, states characterized by the attitude of absolute power, of detachment, the interest carried to internal reality. These states testify to a difficulty of integrating certain parts of the personality, parts which remain cleaved.

Guntrip viewed the dilemma that the well-mothered infant ’develops a growing sense of his own ego-wholeness and ego-identity, as a part of his over-all experience of being in a reliable, secure, supportive relation to his mother’ and so ’he feels a profound sense of belonging and of being at one with his world which is … the persisting atmosphere of security in which he exists within himself’. Where mothering is inadequate or positively bad, a potentially pathogenic condition of insecurity is created.

A case example was introduced as a presentation of psychopathology of Schizoid Personality Disorder and suitability and effect of both dyadic and group psychotherapy. Enlightened with this case example, it has been clear that psychotherapy with its various modalities, especially dynamic interactive group psychotherapy, is a powerful intervention in treating Schizoid Personality Disorder patients.

 

Citation:

Shawki, W. M., El-Sherbeing, A. M. and Mahfouz, R. (2007). Schizoid Personality Disorder: Psychopathology and Psychotherapy. Master’s dissertation, Neurology and Psychiatry Dept., Faculty of Medicine, Minia University.

For complete essay:

  • Contact Dr. Waleed Mahfouz Shawki (email: waleedmah2005@icloud.com, waleed.abdelhakim@cntw.nhs.uk).
  • Link to Egyptian Universities Library Consortium (here).
  • Visit Minia Faculty of Medicine’s book library.