Schizoid personality disorder (ScPD) is characterized by a strong preference for being alone and little interest in close relationships. People with ScPD often seem emotionally distant and may not show much emotion around others.
ScPD is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental risk factors, including being raised by a neglectful or abusive caregiver.
Talk therapy can help people with ScPD learn to improve emotional expression, reduce interpersonal conflict, and achieve personal goals.
Personality disorders significantly impact the way people think, feel, and connect with others. You may have heard of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD), but there are actually 10 different personality disorders. One of the less commonly discussed and diagnosed conditions is schizoid personality disorder (ScPD).
ScPD is associated with a strong preference for solitude and a lack of interest in forming close relationships. People with ScPD prefer to spend their time alone and may appear emotionally detached. Most people with ScPD don’t seek treatment, so the exact prevalence is unknown, but some counts suggest that it affects up to 3% of people in the U.S.
If you are open to treatment for ScPD, meeting with a mental health provider is an important first step. Therapy offers a safe space to recognize unhelpful behaviors, develop new coping skills, and manage any co-occurring conditions, like depression or anxiety.
Recognizing symptoms of schizoid personality disorder
People with ScPD typically lack interest in close connections with family, friends, or romantic partners. They may have a limited range of emotions and often come across as cold, detached, or indifferent.
To be diagnosed with ScPD, a person should exhibit at least four of the following symptoms starting in early adulthood. You may have ScPD if you:
Don’t want or enjoy relationships with other people, even family members
Prefer solitary activities, like reading, gaming, and photography
Find pleasure in few activities
Have little to no interest in sexual activities with another person
Have few close friends to confide in
Don’t care what other people think of you and aren’t affected by praise or criticism
Don’t show emotion in social situations, which makes you appear cold and detached
What conditions are similar to ScPD?
Personality disorders are grouped into categories called clusters. ScPD is in cluster A, along with schizotypal personality disorder (STPD) and paranoid personality disorder (PPD). These three conditions involve unusual thoughts and behaviors and interpersonal problems.
Unlike those with ScPD, people with schizotypal personality disorder may want close relationships but feel too scared or anxious to build those connections. People with paranoid personality disorder also have trouble maintaining relationships, but this is usually because of irrational fears and distrust of others.
ScPD can also appear similar to:
Antisocial personality disorder: Although the name seems fitting for symptoms of ScPD, people with antisocial personality disorder don’t typically have the same desire to be alone as people with ScPD.
Complex post-traumatic stress disorder: People with C-PTSD may appear detached but often want meaningful connections with others. They’re also usually more aware of how their past trauma affects their current thoughts and behaviors.
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What causes schizoid personality disorder?
ScPD is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental risk factors. People may be more likely to develop ScPD if they have a relative with ScPD, schizotypal personality disorder, or schizophrenia.
Your upbringing can also increase your risk of developing ScPD. For example, being raised by a distant or neglectful caregiver may lead you to believe that relationships with other people aren’t necessary or rewarding. Adverse childhood experiences — like neglect and abuse — can also contribute to trust issues and social withdrawal.
Can treatment help with schizoid personality disorder?
Most people with ScPD don’t seek professional support unless a family member or close friend encourages them to do so. But if you’re open to it, working with a mental health provider can help you better understand yourself and other people. Treatment may vary based on symptom severity and any co-occurring conditions but typically includes talk therapy and skills training.
The goal of treatment is to manage the way symptoms impact your life. Through techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), you can learn to identify and challenge distressing thoughts and behaviors. For example, if you notice that certain personality traits are affecting your ability to succeed at work, therapy can help you find actionable solutions. It can also help you gain valuable social and cognitive skills, like self-awareness, nonverbal communication, and active listening.
In my clinical experience, people with schizoid personality disorder often have a hard time opening up emotionally and building trust. So I focus on creating a safe, non-judgmental space while encouraging small steps toward increasing self-awareness and interpersonal engagement.
Brandy Chalmers, LPC
Clinical reviewer
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Generally speaking, people with schizoid personality disorder aren’t interested in building relationships or confiding in others, including therapists. Rula’s team of compassionate mental health professionals understands this, which is why it’s our priority to help you find a provider you can trust.
Rula’s network of over 15,000 mental health providers means we can match you with a therapist who understands your unique concerns and is available to provide the individualized support you deserve. With just a few clicks, you can find a therapist who accepts your insurance and can meet with you via live video as soon as tomorrow.
Alex Bachert
Alex Bachert is a freelance copywriter and mental health advocate. Since earning her masters degree in public health, she has focused her career on creating informative content that empowers people to prioritize their health and well-being. Alex has partnered with organizations like Ro, WellTheory, and Firsthand, and her work has been recognized by the Digital Health Association.
When she’s not writing about mental health, Alex is usually playing pickleball, meeting with her local board of health, or enjoying time with her three kids.
Brandy Chalmers, LPC
Having faced challenges like childhood abuse, neglect, and the loss of her father to suicide, Brandy Chalmers is deeply passionate about providing compassionate care. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Nationally Certified Counselor, and Registered Play Therapist with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy.
Brandy also teaches at a university, sharing her expertise with future mental health professionals. With over a decade of experience in settings like inpatient care and private practice, she specializes in helping clients with perfectionism, trauma, personality disorders, eating disorders, and life changes.
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