
It is difficult to accurately assess the prevalence of this disorder, because people with schizoid personality disorder rarely seek treatment. How Common Is Schizoid Personality Disorder? They might daydream and/or create vivid fantasies of complex inner lives.They are aloof and show little emotion.They are indifferent to praise or criticism.They have difficulty relating to others.They have no close friends, except first-degree relatives.They take pleasure in few activities, including sex.They choose solitary jobs and activities.They do not desire or enjoy close relationships, even with family members.Other common traits of people with this disorder include the following: Many never marry or may continue to live with their parents as adults. People with schizoid personality disorder often are reclusive, organizing their lives to avoid contact with other people. What Are the Symptoms of Schizoid Personality Disorder? Many people with schizoid personality disorder are able to function fairly well, although they tend to choose jobs that allow them to work alone, such as night security officers, library, or lab workers. Although their names sound alike and they might have some similar symptoms, schizoid personality disorder is not the same thing as schizophrenia. They generally are loners who prefer solitary activities and rarely express strong emotion. People with schizoid personality disorder also tend to be distant, detached, and indifferent to social relationships. People with these disorders often appear odd or peculiar. Schizoid personality disorder is one of a group of conditions called "Cluster 'A' " or eccentric personality disorders. Because they often do not believe they have a problem, people with personality disorders often do not seek treatment. Unlike people with anxiety or depressive disorders, who know they have a problem but are unable to control it, people with personality disorders often are not aware that they have a problem and do not believe they have anything to control. People with personality disorders generally also have poor coping skills and difficulty forming healthy relationships. The inflexibility of their personality can cause great distress, and can interfere with many areas of life, including social and work functioning. People with personality disorders have long-standing patterns of thinking and acting that differ from what society considers usual or normal.
