Schizoid Personality Disorder

Schizoid personality disorder (SZPD) is defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), as a mental health disorder that is primarily characterized by a lack of, and detachment from, close social or familial relationships, as well as a restricted range of emotional expression. Individuals with SZPD have a preference for solitary activity, tend to socially isolate, and derive little pleasure from sexual, sensory, bodily, or interpersonal experiences. Individuals with SZPD are indifferent to positive or negative feedback from others, have difficulty interpreting and responding to social cues, and often exhibit restricted or dulled affect. It is thought that those with SZPD range from severely impaired, almost catatonic, to highly creative, intelligent individuals. This entry briefly summarizes the history of SZPD ...