Schizoid Personality Disorder Symptoms

Under the DSM approach, the formal diagnosis of schizoid personality disorder rests on these symptoms, which can be evaluated by psychiatrists and other mental health professionals. Also see the separate section on ICD personality disorders, including schizoid personality disorder.

Symptoms of Schizoid Personality Disorder

The following specific diagnostic criteria are reproduced verbatim (except for codings and page references) from the DSM-IV, the immediate predessor of the current DSM-IV TR (where ‘IV TR’ indicates fourth edition, text revision).

Diagnostic Criteria for Schizoid Personality Disorder

A. A pervasive pattern of detachment from social relationships and a restricted range of expression of emotions in interpersonal settings, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by four (or more) of the following:

• neither desires nor enjoys close relationships, including being part of a family
• almost always chooses solitary activities
• has little, if any, interest in having sexual experiences with another person
• takes pleasure in few, if any, activities
• lacks close friends or confidants other than first-degree relatives appears indifferent to the praise or criticism of others
• shows emotional coldness, detachment, or flattened affectivity

B. Does not occur exclusively during the course of , a Mood Disorder With Psychotic Features, another Psychotic Disorder, or a Pervasive Developmental Disorder and is not due to the direct physiological effects of a general medical condition.

Note: If criteria are met prior to the onset of Schizophrenia, add “Premorbid,” e.g., “Schizoid Personality Disorder (Premorbid).”

Associated features

• Odd/Eccentric/Suspicious Personality