Full characteristics of the schizoid personality type

Each person is endowed with certain character traits, which, in combination, allow him to be attributed to one or another psychological type. The most difficult in diagnosis and treatment is the schizoid personality type, characterized by isolation and reticence. Such individuals stand out strongly against the background of other people, since they have interests that are atypical for society.

A schizoid is a person with an increased need for security. He needs the most secure existence, and therefore seeks protection in any place and situation.

People with a schizoid type of psyche are extremely rare. They differ in non-standard behavior, which often frightens society. For example, they value personal space too much and are not able to let strangers into it. As a rule, these individuals are aware of their characteristics, but do not like to be mentioned by others.

To ensure their own safety, schizoids use the method of detachment from society. They are comfortable being alone and given to dreams and fantasies. Despite this, such people are not alien to human experiences, they just do their best to avoid negative emotions.

An individual with this personality type is rarely accepted by society, he is able to see what others do not see. This feature makes the schizoid engage in solitary activities, for example, meditation or any kind of creativity. Detachment and isolation of the personality usually hide the desire to be significant for loved ones. But since a person does not know how to build long-term relationships and quickly gets tired of communication, intimacy does not arise.This leads to the fact that the schizoid feels more comfortable in the company of animals or small children.

It is possible to identify schizoid disorder in early childhood. A child with this condition overreacts to external stimuli, such as loud sounds or bright lights. Any change in the environment can cause him discomfort, expressed in detachment and screaming. Such children do not like close contacts and try in every possible way to escape from the hands of their parents; they may even give up their breasts early in order to ensure their integrity and inviolability. Sometimes young mothers associate this with the baby's sensitive skin or the presence of pain when sucking on the breast.

Symptoms:

• emotional detachment;
• being alone often;
• difficult adaptation in new conditions;
• violation of general rules and regulations;
• ignoring the environment;
• isolation;
• wild fantasy;
• inability to express warm feelings.

In adulthood, schizoid syndrome takes on more and more distinct features. So, men with this disorder in communication express impartiality and detachment, which to many women seems to be a certain feature of nature. Such individuals may behave aggressively and strangely, but only for personal protection.

In dealing with the opposite sex, such men behave aloof, which can be interpreted as disinterest. It is easier for them to bring their companion to a secluded place and spend time in silence than to waste energy on beautiful courtship and going to restaurants. From the outside, such individuals seem boring and stingy, and therefore the continuation of communication usually does not occur.

In dealing with a woman of the schizoid type, you can also feel coldness and detachment. She would rather choose a secluded place than spend time with friends. Large crowds of people tire her.

You can identify such a person by appearance. As a rule, it looks extraordinary. For example, this person can calmly come to a business meeting in a light summer dress and an openwork hat, completely not realizing that she looks inappropriate. For a schizoid woman, self-expression is much more important than the norms imposed by society.

Women of this personality type do not tolerate invasion of personal space, and therefore cannot acquire love relationships. They dramatically change their mood, turning from a friendly lady into a closed and unapproachable person. Fear of physical intimacy often leads girls to withdraw from relationships with men. If people with a schizoid type still agree to an intimate relationship, then they do it without any emotion. They can start families, have children, but they will remain mysteries for their spouses.

In psychology, there are several classifications of accentuations, which allows a person with schizoid disorder to be attributed to a specific subspecies.

So, the German psychologist K. Leonhard identified the types of accentuations according to temperament, character and personality type in general.He singled out demonstrative, pedantic, stuck, excitable, hyperthymic, dysthymic, cyclothymic, exalted, anxious and emotive personality.

• Thus, a demonstrative personality is determined by an unconscious psychological defense, expressed in the removal from memory of moments that can harm the psyche. Such a person is prone to lies, which, in his opinion, is the pure truth. This type is distinguished by an increased sense of self-pity.
• But the pedantic personality is distinguished by excessive concern. In everything and everywhere, such an individual looks for flaws, which causes internal tension.
• A stuck person is not able to quickly switch from one experience to another, which makes them return from time to time to the feelings they lived through.
• With the excitable type, intolerance is often observed, manifested by outbursts of anger and physical impact. The lower the intellectual abilities of such an individual, the more vividly incontinence is manifested.

• The hyperthymic psychotype has an optimistic outlook on life and looks too frivolously at serious things. Whereas the dysthymic form is characterized by increased severity and pessimism, which often manifests itself in a tendency to depressive states.
• Cyclothymic personality is able to change its behavior depending on the situation. But an exalted individual perceives the world around him too closely, and therefore is prone to frequent mood swings.
• The anxious type is shackled and unsure of himself. Such a person can be rude or rude, but only if he experiences anxiety and insecurity.
• An emotive person devotes too much time to personal experiences. He is distinguished by his soft-heartedness and soulfulness, which is easy to detect thanks to his pronounced facial expressions.

Another psychologist, A.E. Lichko, believed that accentuation determines character traits, and not personality as a whole. In his opinion, some qualities can change under external pressure.

1. The psychasthenic schizoid does not know how to work in a team and is not able to take responsibility for others. He has tremendous knowledge, but cannot voice his thoughts due to indecision and anxious suspiciousness. Such a person is determined by a weak nervous system and a tendency to apathy.
2. The sensitive schizoid is distinguished by increased sensitivity and fragile internal organization. He does not know how to survive troubles and keeps grudges for a very long time. The inability to forgive the offender leads to the fact that such a person constantly replays what happened in his head, which brings himself to neurasthenia. Otherwise, an individual with this disorder is modest and conscientious.
3. The hysteroid schizoid has a need for deep solitude and does not need social connections at all. He comes into contact only when urgently needed. Sometimes this type creates a small group of people around him, with whom he occasionally wants to spend time.

Schizoid disorder can manifest itself in two conditions.

1. Adynamic - defined by autistic traits. In this case, patients are distinguished by excessive sensitivity and poorly expressed self-sufficiency. They overreact to negative events and cannot stand disputes and scandals.
2. Stenichny - is expressed in increased efficiency in a limited type of activity. These individuals always act carefully and prudently, and also stand out for despotism and lust for power. The stenic schizoid is not able to acquire friendly ties and does not know how to work in a team.

You can identify schizothymia at an early age using the following signs:

• the child eats food only from certain dishes, completely not recognizing the other;
• the baby has a panic state or aggression if his things are not in their places;
• schizotim will not take any items from a stranger;
• this disease is characterized by a loss of coordination of movements, the child constantly stumbles and loses balance;
• attacks lead to softening and strong relaxation of the body.

To date, there is not a single proven reason that could provoke the development of the schizoid psychotype. All theories are based only on assumptions.

• Some psychologists believe that the development of this psychopathy occurs due to an unmet need for communication. They assume that such children are born in dysfunctional families, where there is no love and understanding. These individuals from childhood feel parental hostility, and therefore withdrawn in themselves and distance themselves from other people.
• Other scientists suggest that this mental illness occurs against the background of the inability to create a comfortable environment around oneself. Schizoids cannot accept their own shortcomings and are not able to survive failures, and therefore lead a reclusive lifestyle.
• There is a version associated with the cognitive directions of mental activity. They are determined by blurred thoughts and complexity of perception. Such patients cannot grasp the emotional state of people, and therefore are simply not able to respond to other people's feelings. This concept assumes the slow development of speech and motor skills in children, regardless of intellectual abilities.

Psychotherapy is usually used to treat schizoid personality accentuation. But if the patient has concomitant mental illness, drug therapy should be used.

The psychoanalytic approach helps best in the fight against this ailment. It implies a long work of a psychologist who must act as carefully as possible, constantly maintaining a distance. The doctor should not focus on the characteristics of the patient and focus on his originality. To achieve location and trust is possible only by demonstrating the acceptance of the schizoid's out-of-the-box thinking.

It is possible to help patients cope with their condition through group therapy, in which individuals can accept themselves through the study of such people. For treatment, a comfortable environment is created, aimed at a feeling of complete safety. Of course, not all individuals are able to relax in an unfamiliar place and trust strangers, but with constant contact it is possible to achieve participation in such therapy.

In cognitive therapy, the physician uses methods based on the feeling of positive emotions. The patient is encouraged to explore the full range of feelings and make it possible to understand each of them.In the future, the schizoid must learn to express positive emotions in pleasant life situations.

To achieve the best result, people with a schizoid psychotype not only attend psychological trainings, but also participate in role-playing games and take home assignments. Additional activities can speed up the adaptation process and reduce the signs of the disorder.

Socialization is not meaningful for people with schizoid disorder, as they perceive the world differently. Such individuals do not accept generally accepted rules and norms, and therefore are difficult to adapt to society. In addition, communication problems often arise due to a sloppy appearance and inability to keep order.

Despite the external detachment and unsociability, people with a schizoid type of accentuation have developed intelligence and creativity. Therefore, it is important for them to have a loved one nearby who will help schizoids acquire social skills for the purpose of self-expression. Only with external support can such individuals achieve a high career position and receive universal recognition.

In order for a schizoid to feel confident, it is necessary to gradually involve him in any kind of activity. For example, in order for him to get used to a person, you must first start communication in the company of a familiar person, gradually moving on to dialogue. Parents from an early age should instill in such a child a sense of responsibility and confidence. They need to take the child to various events, as well as visit public places and different authorities. Thus, the schizoid will learn to be in society and perform actions that are simple for ordinary people.

With regard to professional activity, people with this psychotype can develop themselves in a profession that involves solitary work. They can make excellent historians, mathematicians, physicists, writers, accountants and analysts. Despite the pronounced motor awkwardness, schizoids are good at musical instruments and can connect their lives with music. They will make great pianists, guitarists, musical instrument tuners, etc.

Thanks to out-of-the-box thinking and artistic taste, such a person can find his place in the film industry and drama. He is able to collect a few boring thoughts and turn them into an interesting idea that will pleasantly surprise people later.

About who a schizoid is, see the next video.