Most people that I meet have never heard of schizoid personality disorder (SPD). And if they have heard the word “schizoid,” they do not have an accurate understanding of what the term means.

Schizoid personality disorder (SPD) is a fairly common disorder that is characterized by a severe lack of trust in others and the use of emotional and physical distancing to create a sense of safety. SPD gets underdiagnosed because most people with it go out of their way to look normal and blend in. This is in marked contrast to people with more dramatic and obvious types of personality disorders, such as borderline or narcissistic personality disorders, who often create problems for those around them.

Note: I am using the terms schizoid and SPD as shorthand for someone who qualifies for a full diagnosis of schizoid personality disorder.

People with SPD are very private and do their best to handle their problems on their own. They do not usually draw attention to themselves. They are much more likely to hide their problems from others than to ask anyone for help. They are likely to appear somewhat introverted.

Some of the ways my schizoid clients cope with their need for safety include:

Schizoid personality disorder is believed to start before age four, when a child's personality is still forming. While certain people may have genetic traits that make it easier for them to develop schizoid issues, my schizoid clients have had difficult childhoods that included some combination of abuse, neglect, indifference, lack of attunement, or extreme intrusiveness.

As a result of these experiences, people with SPD grow up to believe that everyone is like their parents and that no one can be trusted. Many of my clients report that at around age seven they concluded that they could only depend on themselves.

1. Schizoid is the same thing as schizophrenia. I find that many people mistakenly assume that the word schizoid refers to schizophrenia. This is probably due to schizophrenia often being part of the plot in movies and television shows, while schizoid personality disorder is not mentioned. They may also have heard the word “schizo” thrown around as synonymous with a "crazy"........

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