Schizoid Personality Disorder

[Jezebel]

I was browsing the forum referrers and found a lot of clicks coming through from a schizoid forum. I followed the links and found they were having a discussion comparing our forum with their's. I'm curious what your thoughts are on some of their comments comparing schizoids with normal INTJs, and also if anyone here has been diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder.


Schizoid Personality Disorder: (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.)
Schizoid personality disorder(SPD) is a personality disorder characterized by a lack of interest in social relationships, a tendency towards a solitary lifestyle, secretiveness, and emotional coldness. SPD is reasonably rare compared with other personality disorders. Its prevalence is estimated at less than 1% of the general population.


Some comments from the schizoid forum thread: (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.)

Last night while aimlessly surfing I ran across an INTJ forum-->To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. I was curious as to similarities and differences between the posts here and the posts there. Dunno why I should have been surprised, but the biggest difference (and to me it seemed very obvious) was the amount of emotion displayed in the posts. Not to give the impression that it was the print equivalent of a wild party. Just that it was a bit of a 'light dawns on marble head' moment in that it was the clearest indication yet that there's a huge difference between being introverted and self-sufficient, and being schizoid. One can be introverted and self-sufficient and not be schizoid, but one can't be schizoid and not be introverted and self-sufficient. I think I expected to see more of the 'flavor' of posts as I see here but there was a huge difference. Dunno if an INTP board would bear a stronger resemblance to a schizoid board...At the end of the day it comes down to the level of emotion experienced. I found some of the posts and topics on the INTJ board interesting but it was a little like walking into a classroom where a lot of people are conversing in groups of three or four, whereas here it's more like the Python video clip HungryJoe posted--a lot of people on a field wandering around deep in thought, making the occasional contribution, then one person has an idea and kicks the ball.

I won't claim to have analyzed that forum in great depth, but there are several striking differences. First of all they all seem more communicative than we are. They also pick up clues from eachother and respond to them. The typical exchange here consists of 20 or so people all answering the original topic-question of the thread. Only on rare occasions are there dialogue springing out from something mentioned in a later post and also rare is the same person participating more than once in a thread. They're communicating and we're monologuing on the same topic. Make no mistake about it though. I think we all read what the others say, but we typically don't respond to it until we've had a long time to mull it over. The input is just more data for the internal process, while on that forum the process takes place externally in the thread

Another important difference is their general self image. They're convinced they're normal, but of a specific type, we're convinced we're oddballs and strange. Some even go as far as self describing as disordered. Like with most self images it's a feed back loop to it that tends to make it self-fulfilling and self-strengthening to some extent. A simple such chain is "I'm the silent type -> I don't talk much -> talking only rarely I find it hard to do so -> I talk even less". Such chains will run for a while strengthening the pattern I think until some other concern overrides the deepening of the pattern such as "If I talked less than this I couldn't do my job and would be fired" or something similar. I think Sabrathas observation that schizoid traits (or perhaps proto-schizoid traits) came first and then came the coping mechanisms is often correct and in my view those mechanisms will often deepen the pattern. So it's not just introvert + little emotion = schizoid, but (introvert + little emotion)*time to adapt = schizoid. In a chaotic world this would be strengthened by events. Basically I think being schizoid is something entirely different from INTJ or whatever. We may have come from INTJ stock as well as other personality types, but our development has been convergent on schizoid, though with some very obvious differences based on initial personality.

I browsed the forum.

What I saw is that normal INTJ are a bit more familiar to me than other normal people, but they are still closer to ENFJ than I'm to them.

INTJ people on that forum seem to recognize themselves are normal, if not average people and see the INTJness as a sort of a "wall" or "walls" that they build around themselves (I encountered the "wall analogy" in several posts).

So I don't think I actually fit with them. When asked about the type of walls I build I would have to answer:
"I am the wall".


(To the Schizoid forum admin, in case you find this thread the same way I found your's: I wanted to ask permission before copying these quotes to my forum, but your forum registration is disabled and there is no contact information. If you have a problem with this and would prefer that I paraphrase, just contact me and let me know. Quotes were posted to see the reactions, similarities, and differences from this forum, so hopefully you guys will find this more interesting and informative than intrusive.)

[elsdfr]

I remember taking an online test a while ago. Of all the personality disorders it gave you a level on this one was the highest for me, it was the first I'd heard of this one so thats why I remember no doubt. I read about it and moved on from there to be honest. I'd rather take something into account than be diagnosed and put on something or told how to change ;).

[chocky]

"I am the wall".

That resonates for me. Only the little litany that circles in my mind is "I am dry-stone waller, all day I dry stone wall. Of all the appalling callings, dry-stone walling's worst of all." Some of you may recognise the doggerel of Pam Ayers. I read that as a child and it has remained with me as a silent personal anthem.

...now I have to wonder... Am I schizoid?

I guess because I've never felt "normal" , I find this topic interesting. I also wonder why, as a society, we have to pathologise certain ways of being. I would never put myself in the hands of a shrink to be so labeled and pathologised, but reading the above comments are insightful. In some ways I display those behaviours.

Interacting with people doesn't come naturally to me, not even second-nature. It is a novelty and amusing in small doses, but takes all my concentration and acting skills. I much prefer solitude. No, not prefer - need. But I'm INTP. Perhaps, as someone suggested, there is a correlation between SPD and INTP. But then, what does a string of letters really mean in a world where motivations and perceptions are unique. What can we really know about ourselves from examining functions and behaviour? Personality is more than we can measure.

[rwyatt365]

I find it interesting, firstly, that they often (at least in the threads posted) say that we (INTJs) "think" that we are normal – the implication being that we are not. My guess is that if any of us – or any of the general population, for that matter – were subjected to rigorous psychoanalysis we would all be borderline "something". "Normalcy" is like the mythological "average" – it only exists in theory. So, just like we are comfortable with the INTJ designation, they are comfortable with the (psychologically certified) SPD designation.

What I find more revealing is HungryJoe's comment that the INTJ communication methodology is more interactive whereas the SPD communication is more internal, that we dialog while they monolog. To me, that is more telling of a difference than anything else said. That would indicate that while both have a strong Ni (introverted Intuition), their Se (extraverted Sensing) is not as fully developed and so they spiral in upon their own thoughts.

[orange]

I find it interesting, firstly, that they often (at least in the threads posted) say that we (INTJs) "think" that we are normal – the implication being that we are not.

rwyatt, this is not directed at you, I just wanted there to be a clear starting point for my post.

We (INTJs) are not normal compared to most of the population, we know and accept that. What I think they are viewing as INTJs thinking that they are normal is that we think that the problem is the rest of the word, and thus there is nothing wrong with us, were they have been diagnosed with SPD so they think that they are the problem (problem is the wrong word, but I couldnt think of a better one so if the admins think of a better one please edit). While I do not belive that any one personality is destined to be a diagnosed disorder and one of their post indicates (they implied it just took time) I will admit that some of the characteristics of SPD does have some similarities to some of the traits of the IxTx's maybe specifically INTx's, but I dont know enough about SPD to finnish my thoughts so I will stop with that.

[The Rose]

I laughed out loud when I read this:
"They're convinced they're normal..."
I think I laughed because I spent the majority of my life being convinced that I was defective.
I could relate to what was said. I can relate to those feelings.
What really helped me was learning that I am INTJ and that there are other people in the world just like me, so I'm not alone after all.

Overall, that was really interesting! The posters were very articulate yet no so complex that I couldn't comprehend them.

It makes me feel bad that there are people out there who have it even worse off than we do!

I don't think I suffer from schizoid personality disorder based on what I read. (I have wondered in the past.) Apparently, it's a fine line. I guess the major difference is the time it takes to adapt to changes. I'm not really all that adaptable sometimes.
As a matter of fact, I have experienced the grip of the Inferior when in unfamiliar surroundings for too long. I can get paranoid about everything, and I retreat into an emotional cave.

I hope they don't make you take down the posts.
It would be nice if those folks would come over and talk to us.
I found their posts very interesting.
I learned a lot.

The Rose added 6 Minutes and 37 Seconds later...

I find it interesting, firstly, that they often (at least in the threads posted) say that we (INTJs) "think" that we are normal – the implication being that we are not. ...Hey Ron, I took it a different way.
I thought they were comparing themselves to us.
They were saying INTJs generally feel normal while we generally don't feel normal.

[Nomad]

A psychologist friend of mine once told me that clinically speaking, "Normal" is not defined. I'd buy that this society tends to turn differences into pathologies, not to say people don't have real problems.

I feel normal, I get along fine with most people, and I don't dislike them. hanging out with them all the time( and in large groups, particularly) makes me tired. I've been figuring out why lately, and I think to some extent it's because I don't really see people as limited as to what's in front of me, but as the total sum of their experiences, and how they interact with their environment and others, and how that sum affects everything else.Keeping track of all that is exhausting

I tend to give other people credit for being as intelligent as I am. I only figured that was not the case until about seven years ago.

As for being cold, I can be. I can be utterly ruthless, but cruelty is beyond me. I can't manage it.

Couple things said about me:

"You know why people are scared of you? Because you never want to be anyone but yourself."

Don't mess with him, I once saw him kill three people in a firefight, and when it was over, he piled them together so he would have something to lean against while he ate chow"

it occurs to me that most folks don't see this as "normal" and find it disturbing.

The military docs saw nothing wrong with me, just very suited to the job. if the circumstances require it, I can kill, and not feel the least shred of remorse, but in anger? No. That's wrong. If I killed someone in an accident, I'm not sure I could live with that.

What's implied here in the forum, but I don't think has been explicitly stated, is that we feel deeply, perhaps we see deeper than most people, and understand them much better than most feel comfortable with. The introversion is required in order to cope with all the causes and implications of what we see. Much as we would like to fix the world, on some deep level, we understand we can't. We know what we feel.

I don't think that someone with SPD knows what they feel.

So, how confusing is that?

-Nomad

[Max T]

What I find more revealing is HungryJoe's comment that the INTJ communication methodology is more interactive whereas the SPD communication is more internal, that we dialog while they monolog. To me, that is more telling of a difference than anything else said.

Very interesting Jezebel. I agree with rwyatt above.
As it happens, I spent some time with someone suffering a Personality Disorder- likely narcissistic and paranoid type.

What struck as most apparent in their behaviour, that is borne out in HungryJoe's text, is the sense that spending time with them was like being next to a complete vacuum/ blackhole.

Conversation dynamics would normally go along lines of my saying something to them and they either a. produce minimal necessary response or b. total silence- the person was bright and no doubt thinking about what was said but chose not to respond (or thought my subject matter plain boring, lol!).

They had adapted a life that required absolute minimal interaction with others- night security guard jobs and study in libraries (onto Phd) in essence.

I noted superficial similarities between us (love books, quiet blah blah), but analysing further, I attributed that person's unusual features- high pitched monotone voice, nil empathy, narcissism, mood swings, previous self-harming- with signs of a Personality Disorder of some type.

Initially I felt deeply sorry for the person, yet it took a while in my somewhat dim-witted F way to figure that the last thing they needed was support.

[Hdier]

We (INTJs) are not normal compared to most of the population, we know and accept that. What I think they are viewing as INTJs thinking that they are normal is that we think that the problem is the rest of the word, and thus there is nothing wrong with us, were they have been diagnosed with SPD so they think that they are the problem (problem is the wrong word, but I couldnt think of a better one so if the admins think of a better one please edit). While I do not belive that any one personality is destined to be a diagnosed disorder and one of their post indicates (they implied it just took time) I will admit that some of the characteristics of SPD does have some similarities to some of the traits of the IxTx's maybe specifically INTx's, but I dont know enough about SPD to finnish my thoughts so I will stop with that.

Definatley. The rest of the world is the ones with the 'problem', not us (or, at least not most of us).

A psychologist friend of mine once told me that clinically speaking, "Normal" is not defined. I'd buy that this society tends to turn differences into pathologies, not to say people don't have real problems.


I always say that 'normal' is a perception. From my perspective, it is abnormal to not stay inside almost the whole day. However, there are people who stay outside most of the day (weirdos:cheesy:), and to them I'd be weird for staying inside most of the day.

BTW, I followed that link to the Wiki, and 5 of the criteria fit me (for those that didn't look at it, four meant you had it). Now, we all know that the Wiki generally isn't reliable (especially for self diagnosis) if you want to be absolutely sure of your information, but SPD does seem to describe me pretty well (though to a greater degree).

[orange]

I think that disorders would be caused by severly over or under develped personality functions like Ni and Se which rwyatt kind of said at the end of his post.

That said, I think that many of the disorders out there, or at least many of the people that suffer from them dont really have anything wrong but want to have something to blame.

I'm NOT saying the SPD is one of those, I dont know much about it.

[Hdier]

That said, I think that many of the disorders out there, or at least many of the people that suffer from them dont really have anything wrong but want to have something to blame.

I think I have SPD, but I don't want to blame something, as I don't see it as that much of a problem (however, I think that, in most cased ADD is one of those)

However, there are problems that I want to blame something on, but I try not to do that, as that old saying about running away from your problems is generally actually true.

[GOD]

Err...

By implication, the vast majority of posters are extroverted but just in an intellectual capacity. (Thats why the introversion/extroversion analysis by Jung etc is not quite correct - introversion can be a function of not enjoying the norm, however, push the same intovert into an environment where they can talk at a level they like then they become extrovert. Look at Jung - became more extroverted during his University course).

Introverted thinking becomes extroverted in similar company <- If its an intelligent INTJ with lots of theories to discuss.

[The Rose]

Because they get energy from discussing their ideas?

[GOD]

Because they get energy from discussing their ideas?

Yes, so called E's get energy from talking in social groups.

I's can get energy from talking in similar social groups.

[The Rose]

Yes, so called E's get energy from talking in social groups.

I's can get energy from talking in similar social groups.Maybe Is get energy not from other people like Es do, but from stimulating their mind (talking about ideas) whether in person or online?

I find some subjects (people) can drain me of my energy, but some subjects (ideas) can energize me.

[GOD]

Maybe Is get energy not from other people like Es do, but from stimulating their mind (talking about ideas) whether in person or online?

I find some subjects (people) can drain me of my energy, but some subjects (ideas) can energize me.

E's don't get their energy from ALL people. They just get it from MORE people.

I think INTJ's have a LOWER tolerance for MOST people, hence, reduce the size of the group to a more homogenous pool... then its E time.

[The Rose]

E's don't get their energy from ALL people. They just get it from MORE people.

I think INTJ's have a LOWER tolerance for MOST people, hence, reduce the size of the group to a more homogenous pool... then its E time.Hmmm. That brings some very interesting connecting thoughts to mind.

Homogeneous is definitely less emotionally demanding.
Like the "boxes" I like to put everything and everyone in.
Less decision making = more relaxation.
Maybe that's why I had so much fun at my class reunion.

[Hdier]

The only reason why I am able to talk as much as I do is because I'm not talking to people face-to-face. It doesn't feel like I'm talking to actual people (just more voices in my head, LOL).

BTW, though I'm just speaking for myself but using the boards doesn't make me gain energy, but I still enjoy it.

However, I'm an I because I primarally gain energy by introspecting, etc. I think that everyone gains energy from I and E, even if one rarely happens, and we just figure out which one we are able to do more naturally.

[Meyer]

Like my grandmother used to say to me, " I think the whole world has gone fucking nuts except you and I, and I'm starting to wonder about you." Basically I think everyone is a little "crazy" considering most interpret only what they have experienced and have no idea of the infinite number of perspectives that exist. Whose approach to life is right and whose is wrong. Who cares as long as you find what works for you. Of course I don't mean to belittle those who have not or cannot find a comfortable place from which to effectively function and grow. I would imagine this to be a pretty disheartening state.

[Epicurus]

At first I tought it all matched but no not really, I do have deeper feelings and I do understand things different than someone with schizoid pd, what they have given expression of to me. The wast difference is that I understand 'what I am' Im not looking for that key wich they are, I already have it. You've already kinda mentioned that tough. Also I like social interactions, but it tires and depresses me very much almost all the time atleast in real life. Can't come up with any more 'sharp' analysis lol, but they are generally lost and Im more of insane, passionatley insane and they are lostly insane, at best (worst), kinda like that.
I am very sure I got schizotypal pd, generally over-imagionation, leading to sixth sense, hallucinations and social paranoia (with even those I've know my whole life) and exaggurated isolation. You should remember that schizoids don't even grasp the social thingys very good, and I think a normal intj and myself would do that even tough having harder to follow it than a complete normal. Or Im speaking through a over sensitive social-phobian perspective?

[Hdier]

Basically I think everyone is a little "crazy" considering most interpret only what they have experienced and have no idea of the infinite number of perspectives that exist.

And even if we did, we'd still be called crazy!

[Max T]

Basically I think everyone is a little "crazy" considering most interpret only what they have experienced and have no idea of the infinite number of perspectives that exist.

And even if we did, we'd still be called crazy!

"That's some catch, that Catch-22," he observed.
"It's the best there is," Doc Daneeka agreed.

:-)

(full text from the book to enjoy)

Yossarian looked at him soberly and tried another approach. "Is Orr crazy?"
"He sure is," Doc Daneeka said.
"Can you ground him?"
"I sure can. But first he has to ask me to. That's part of the rule."
"Then why doesn't he ask you to?"
"Because he's crazy," Doc Daneeka said. "He has to be crazy to keep flying combat missions after all the close calls he's had. Sure, I can ground Orr. But first he has to ask me to."
"That's all he has to do to be grounded?"
"That's all. Let him ask me."
"And then you can ground him?" Yossarian asked.
"No. Then I can't ground him."
"You mean there's a catch?"
"Sure there's a catch," Doc Daneeka replied. "Catch-22. Anyone who wants to get out of combat duty isn't really crazy."
There was only one catch and that was Catch-22, which specified that a concern for one's safety in the face of dangers that were real and immediate was the process of a rational mind. Orr was crazy and could be grounded. All he had to do was ask; and as soon as he did, he would no longer be crazy and would have to fly more missions. Orr would be crazy to fly more missions and sane if he didn't, but if he was sane he had to fly them. If he flew them he was crazy and didn't have to; but if he didn't want to he was sane and had to. Yossarian was moved very deeply by the absolute simplicity of this clause of Catch-22 and let out a respectful whistle.
"That's some catch, that Catch-22," he observed.
"It's the best there is," Doc Daneeka agreed.

[GOD]

According to the ICD-10, schizoid personality disorder is characterized by at least four of the following criteria:

Emotional coldness, detachment or reduced affection.

Hmmm... Not really

Limited capacity to express either positive or negative emotions towards others.

Errr.. Not really.

Consistent preference for solitary activities.

Tick (thats 1... :suspicious:)

Very few (if any) close friends or relationships, and a lack of desire for such.

Err.. suppose it doesn't apply

Indifference to either praise or criticism.

Probably tick :rolleyes:

Taking pleasure in few, if any, activities.

Nooo..

Indifference to social norms and conventions.

Probably tick :scared: Thats three....

Preoccupation with fantasy and introspection.

Well, introspection yes... suppose thats 1/2. So its 3.5.. nearly there :cry:

Lack of desire for sexual experiences with another person.

Ahh... saved. Perhaps I could make that a -1.

I'm ok. Its 2.5 out of 4.0. :cool:

[Paul V]

I took a personality disorder test once, I scored quite high on paranoid and schizoid, as well as some more I can't remember at the moment.

[Max T]

I took a personality disorder test once, I scored quite high on paranoid and schizoid, as well as some more I can't remember at the moment.

A census taker once tried to test me.
I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti.


LOL :-)

(Just to clarify, this is a quote from "Silence of the Lambs"- a 1991 film.
Personally dislike fava beans and more a beer man... sth! sth! sth!).

[Epicurus]

Well the criterias has to be taken more than serious I think, I've scored much higher on schizoid than schizotypal for instance on some tests on internet, and as I said Im definitely not schizoid. Very easy to believe your there...

I can't see how lack of understanding (in this case on the social slavery system) can be reffered to understanding (INTJs are the best at that overall) it doesn't make sense. Sure we don't understand how to be emotionall, yeah right, were just superior to it rather than becoming slaves to it, Im sure we can if we want to tough like the rest of the psychos, and I do think we understand it even more than the social-slaves (and the schizoids). We rather use rationality since it might just work a lot better.
So it just doesn't add up for me to see how INTJness can be hold while not understanding one of the most basic things right in front of your eyes. Thats more what over-emotionall people do, saying that irrational emotions are so important, when those irrational emotions are just lack of understanding.

I believe all INTJs who was murderers and such did really understand the sick in what they were doing from the view of social norms and that compared to someone with schizoid pd. I might be wrong tough, maybe some intj here eats children or something like that only to get sexually pleased or to see the interior of it and not understanding why you shouldn't rather than because of some evil plan, hate, disgust, getting to be the man who ate children and known, insight, or your life coming down like a popped balloon.

[Darklord]

Emotional coldness, detachment or reduced affection.
.5
Limited capacity to express either positive or negative emotions towards others.
1
Consistent preference for solitary (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.) activities.
1
Very few (if any) close friends or relationships (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.), and a lack of desire for such.
1
Indifference to either praise (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.) or criticism (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.).
.5
Taking pleasure in few, if any, activities.
.5
Indifference to social norms (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.) and conventions.
1
Preoccupation with fantasy (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.) and introspection (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.).
1
Lack of desire for sexual (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.) experiences with another person.
.5

7.5/4
Or, 5 whole points /4, with every single point applying partially.

I have also considered getting a night-shift job, and I'm usually unaware of any emotional state(s) I might possess.


Whether or not I'm Schizoid is up for debate, but, frankly, I don't give a damn beyond the mental exercise.

[The Rose]

Those lists aren't really accurate for diagnosing someone, you guys know that, right?

When someone in my family is sick and I look up the symptoms online, you would not believe all the deadly or scary sicknesses it turns up that we might have! It has always turned out to be some passing virus.

When asking yourself the questions in that list, it's just like the MBTI, you need to be asking yourself - "compared to who". Probably compared to a person you truly suffers with SPD, we are just "normal".

It's always been funny to me how my daughter thinks she's an extravert. Every day in high school, she would come home from school, go to her room, close her door, stay there til dinner doing her homework, and after dinner go back and finish her homework, spending the rest of the evening in her room. Occasionally she would come up for air and go and "hang out" with her friends. But because she is an "SJ" who is deeply devoted to her friends and relationships, she thinks she's an E.

[rwyatt365]

A census taker once tried to test me.
I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti.


LOL :-)

(Just to clarify, this is a quote from "Silence of the Lambs"- a 1991 film.
Personally dislike fava beans and more a beer man... sth! sth! sth!).
Personally, I'd prefer baked beans and a nice Shiraz.

[Darklord]

Those lists aren't really accurate for diagnosing someone, you guys know that, right?
Systemic bias is likely to screw up any attempt at self-diagnosis with psychological conditions. Listing symptoms that fit me from a website is hardly more than an inetellectual game, although I'm fairly certain that, were I actually to go to a psychiatrist, I would be diagnosed with something - Schizoid PD, Schizotypal PD, Avoidant PD, social anxiety, Asperger's, whatever. Maybe I ought to?
Nah... I see no need to apply a pathological label to my natural inclinations and preferences. The only reason to do so would be curiosity, and I'm not curious enough to spend my money on it. So I'll leave it at reading up on these conditions on the web. Not to worry. I don't take it seriously.

[Rick]

With a quick read of what constitutes "schizoid personality disorder", I fit it very well.

Do I care? Not in the least. I am a person who prefers solitude and living in my own mind. I don't "hate" or dislike other people. I just prefer solitude.

From my perspective, someone somewhere must have decided that there should be a name for this "condition", so there it is.

Hope they're happy.

[GOD]

Those lists aren't really accurate for diagnosing someone, you guys know that, right?


No, They are completely right.

All psychologists are right. Thats why they have white coats.

In fact everything on TV is right, and all written matter is correct. (otherwise they wouldn't print it!).









:p

[Schizoid]

You're quite right that I wanted to see what you were saying about us at schizoid forums, just like I suspected that you would take a peek at our place once you noticed the traffic.

Notice that the forum is not for the personality disorder. We've dropped all those referencesand consider ourselves just schizoids and we don't really make a distinction between those who are diagnosed or not.

We did have a spot of trouble, but that is hopefully over by now and we are accepting new members again.

Are we typical of schizoids? I suspect not. Generally any such condition can be graduated on a scale from high-functioning to low functioning and even to almost non-functioning. Such a place would mostly attract the high-functioning.

As you can see my personality type is presumably INFP without me worrying too much about that. I think those type distinctions are artificial and also find it comical that all the people in the world can be grouped into 16 different "hero-types" like Healer, architect, mastermind etc. Where are all the assholes, morons and jerks I wonder?

Of course I find the SPD diagnostic criteria, be that the DSM-IV TR or the ICD-10 equally hopeless in describing people. While the ICD-10 is slightly better none of them are describing people, just observable symptoms, mostly as observable by an outsider. Something few if any tests or diagnostic criteria lists take into account however is that to be diagnosed with a disorder you also have to fulfill a set of general criteria, the gist of which is that you have to be, well, you know, disordered in the sense that it's affecting the quality of your life or those around you.

[The Rose]

You're quite right that I wanted to see what you were saying about us at schizoid forums, just like I suspected that you would take a peek at our place once you noticed the traffic.Hey welcome to the forum!
I'm so glad you came!
I clicked on a couple of the links that Jez provided and read a little bit.
I was amazed at how well you all "pegged" us!

[Schizoid]

Hey welcome to the forum!
I'm so glad you came!
I clicked on a couple of the links that Jez provided and read a little bit.
I was amazed at how well you all "pegged" us!
Thanks for the welcome. I was HungryJoe over there by the way.

[The Rose]

This was a really interesting conversation.
Anyone want to get it started back up again?

[danalaina]

here's a bit for you, then. =D

I also wonder why, as a society, we have to pathologise certain ways of being. [...] Personality is more than we can measure.

yes, personality can only be measured so well, and no little box will fit any of us perfectly. i do so love to put things in boxes, though. XD

i think it's important to pathologize some ways of functioning, though...not so much because everything needs to conform to one impossible standard but because we're machines, and machines do break sometimes.

unless credibly harmful to other people or very unhappy with themselves and wanting change, though, most folks should just be left to their own devices. but in that case, it ain't really "broke," is it?

[Hdier]

I'll put things in boxes, but some things go in more than one box, and some things change boxes, while some things fit perfectly in a box. It all depends.

[Puma]

Another Schizoid has wandered onto your turf.
INTJ
100 Introverted
50 Intuitive
12 Thinking
56 Judging
This is what I usually get. I had no idea there actually was a forum for INTJ's. It seems there is a forum for everything these days. Love it!
:thumbsup:
I am from Schizoids.net. Same handle. It's late now and I'm getting sleepy, so will come back later.
Ciao!

[The Rose]

Another Schizoid has wandered onto your turf.
INTJ
100 Introverted
50 Intuitive
12 Thinking
56 Judging
This is what I usually get. I had no idea there actually was a forum for INTJ's. It seems there is a forum for everything these days. Love it!
:thumbsup:
I am from Schizoids.net. Same handle. It's late now and I'm getting sleepy, so will come back later.
Ciao!Welcome to the forum! :)

[Schizoid]

here's a bit for you, then. =D



yes, personality can only be measured so well, and no little box will fit any of us perfectly. i do so love to put things in boxes, though. XD

i think it's important to pathologize some ways of functioning, though...not so much because everything needs to conform to one impossible standard but because we're machines, and machines do break sometimes.

unless credibly harmful to other people or very unhappy with themselves and wanting change, though, most folks should just be left to their own devices. but in that case, it ain't really "broke," is it?
Perceiving of personality disorders as boxes is the wrong mental image I'm afraid. INTJ along with the other personlity types are boxes in that every living person will fit in one and only one box when taking just one test.

Disorders aren't really boxes at all. Each of them ultimately describes a point for those that fit for instance 7 out of 7 of the DSM-criteria. Does that make all who score 7 out of 7 alike? Not by a longshot. The criteria only cover a few limited aspects of human behaviour/ways of being so there is still significant differences both in terms of depth of traits as well as other individual differences. At the diagnosing threshold which usually is like 4 out of 7 traits you can visualize it as a box containing quite a lot of variation. The really damning point against visualizing PDs as neat little boxes, however, is that the different PDs are not mutually exclusive. Theoretically you can meet the criteria for every single one of them simultaneously. Admittedly that would make you one seriously bizarre person. And looking at boxes where you can fit fully in several simultaneously isn't helpful at all. To hold onto the box analogy you must envision 10! different permutations which is roughly 3.6 million boxes if I'm still able to do calculations in my head.

I'm not very fond of machine analogies about humans because no machine has yet been made that fully captures the complexety of humans, and practially no other animal for that matter. The PD's are to some small extent helpful in predicting certain sets of behaviour also they're helpful in making us get some ideas about how we are different from others, but that's about it. Having a disorder doesn't mean you're broken and not having a personality disorder doesn't mean you're not broken. PD's only mean that you have been acting and thinking in a specific way long enough to be allowed the privilege of getting a diagnosis if you should bother with it.

[The Rose]

Thanks for coming over here and contributing to the conversation!

[Charlie Mc.]

"That's some catch, that Catch-22," he observed.
"It's the best there is," Doc Daneeka agreed.

One of my favorite books :thumbsup:

[blueeyedsusan]

Remember when homosexuality was considered a disease? Now it's not. Why has this changed? My guess is social perception. Schizoid is not a disease. It's a perceived disease. Sitting in a corner sucking your thumb as a grown up and hearing voices is a disease. You are not functioning when you are doing that.

[vaguely dissatisfied]

I'd love to drop in on this schizoid forum.

[Zilal]

It tickles me that there's a forum for people who identify as not wanting to have relationships with other people.

And I often find it interesting that often those with so-called disorders are extremely insightful about their own condition, and about other people as well.

[vaguely dissatisfied]

Hey welcome to the forum!
I'm so glad you came!
I clicked on a couple of the links that Jez provided and read a little bit.
I was amazed at how well you all "pegged" us!
What links?? I'm a little illiterate here can you tell me what those links are or where to find them?

[The Rose]

What links?? I'm a little illiterate here can you tell me what those links are or where to find them?Aren't they in the first post of this thread?
Just click on page 1 and look for post number one.


I see the trouble. There's no underline.

The blue bolded words in post #1 are links.

[Yaotl]

My father was a diagnosed Psychopath and it seems I have carried his blood and I myself, altough not proffessionally diagnosed whatever that means, my personal analysis seems to enforce the fact that I am indeed a highly covert shizoid. I really have no idea what a feeling is like, not sure what it is at all, think it's some sort of delusion. I am an INTJ and altough INTJ and INTP's tend to be schizoids this really isnt always the case, just beacuse your either of the two doesnt mean your schizoid at all.

[vaguely dissatisfied]

Aren't they in the first post of this thread?
Just click on page 1 and look for post number one.


I see the trouble. There's no underline.

The blue bolded words in post #1 are links.
Oh thanks! Not overly bright sometimes!!





vaguely dissatisfied added to this post, 4 minutes and 25 seconds later...

My father was a diagnosed Psychopath and it seems I have carried his blood and I myself, altough not proffessionally diagnosed whatever that means, my personal analysis seems to enforce the fact that I am indeed a highly covert shizoid. I really have no idea what a feeling is like, not sure what it is at all, think it's some sort of delusion. I am an INTJ and altough INTJ and INTP's tend to be schizoids this really isnt always the case, just beacuse your either of the two doesnt mean your schizoid at all.
No. Appearently the difference between the INTJ(P) and a schizoid personality is that INTJ(P)'s have feelings, but are either unable or reluctant to show them so they appear (behavioraly speaking) to have no feelings, whereas, a person with a schizoid personality really doesn't have feelings or perhaps their feelings are minimal in comparison.

[Antares]

Emotional coldness, detachment or reduced affection.

A bit... 0.5

Limited capacity to express either positive or negative emotions towards others.

0

Consistent preference for solitary activities.

1

Very few (if any) close friends or relationships, and a lack of desire for such.

0

Indifference to either praise or criticism.

1

Taking pleasure in few, if any, activities.

0

Indifference to social norms and conventions.

1

Preoccupation with fantasy and introspection.

1

Lack of desire for sexual experiences with another person.

1

5.5/9 :scared:

[Trym]

I have that, no doubt in my twisted mind...

[Follow]

I think Asperger Syndrome is closer to what was/is called "High Functioning Autism" than ADD. I would use either Asperger or High Functioning Autistic to describe myself, but not really ADD. There are some very bold differences between those and ADD, which become very easy to spot when hanging out with a person who has adult ADD. My only friend at my former job was a guy diagnosed with adult ADD, there were some very noticeable differences between our freaky psyches.

[Uberfuhrer]

Asperger's syndrome is what happens to smart kids who do poorly in school. Smart kids also don't have much in common in mainstream pupils, so they become depressive and isolated. That's how I was diagnosed.

Personality disorders are man made diagnoses that just reflect a fear of the unknown.

[Follow]

Asperger's syndrome is what happens to smart kids who do poorly in school. Smart kids also don't have much in common in mainstream pupils, so they become depressive and isolated. That's how I was diagnosed.

Personality disorders are man made diagnoses that just reflect a fear of the unknown.

I don't think depressive is a necessary trait of Asperger's. I think what appears as depression might be. I was a withdrawn student, always alone, away from the crowd, etc. I probably looked like a suicide case in high school, but that was no where near the truth of the matter. I just couldn't stand most of my school mates.

[ssrprotege]

I read the wiki article about SPD, and actually most of them describe me. And I think the concept of having certain qualities is relative. If one with SPD sees another one with SPD, I don't think they will consider themselves abnormal. If a "normal" person sees me, they will think I am such an aloof, distant, hard-to-get-to-know person. And these people make up the terms to put names on us and see those people in such a biased way. I don't think the fact that SPD symptoms describe me is not necessarily bad. This is just my short opinion (rather digression, really) about general psychological disorders.

[Antares]

I've decided to redo this, since I think I've changed since I last posted.

Emotional coldness, detachment or reduced affection.

1 Only affectionate with very limited amount of people, at most 3 or 4.

Limited capacity to express either positive or negative emotions towards others.

1

Consistent preference for solitary activities.

1

Very few (if any) close friends or relationships, and a lack of desire for such.

I have many friends, even 'close' friends, but I don't really care about it and I can live on my own. So 1.

Indifference to either praise or criticism.

1

Taking pleasure in few, if any, activities.

0

Indifference to social norms and conventions.

1

Preoccupation with fantasy and introspection.

1

Lack of desire for sexual experiences with another person.

1

8/9. Closer to SPD by the minute here.

[Isolation]

According to symptoms lists I've seen around I have schizophrenia or this schizoid personality disorder.

Maybe it is more prevalent with INTJs? I don't really know. I'm not a psychologist.
It's interesting I found this thread, because I have been thinking about the similarities.