Schizoid Personality (SzPD)
DSM: 301.20 ICD: F60.1Our most popular series by far, we discuss how the schizoid personality is often misunderstood and liken this type to a turtle, preferring to be alone vs in the social world. We explore psychodynamic theory and Nancy McWilliams’ conceptualization (which we find more complete than the DSM). We also contrast schizoid and autism; answer viewer questions; explore subtypes (and make our own!); and also contrast SzPD with avoidant personality.
Ep 40: Schizoid vs. Schizotypal vs. Schizophrenia - What the Difference?
In this episode of The Personality Couch, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) compare and contrast schizoid and schizotypal personality disorders, as well as schizophrenia. We define key terms, explore the overlap and differences among these disorders, and introduce the concept of schizotypy as a genetic predisposition towards schizophrenia. We further discuss the concept of schizotaxia, or “cognitive slippage” and the impact of birth trauma on schizo development. We also share our opinions about where schizoid fits on this continuum and if they are schizotypes or not.
Doc Bok
Doc Fish
Schizoid vs. Schizotypal vs. Schizophrenia
Do you ever get confused with all the disorders that start with the prefix “schizo-” (meaning split or schism)? That’s because it’s super convoluted, and psychologists/psychiatrists are still arguing about some of them! Join me, as I dive into the similarities and differences of schizoid, schizotypal, and schizophrenia, as well as schizotypy!
Doc Fish
Ep 39: Schizoid vs Avoidant Personality | What's the Difference?
In this episode of The Personality Couch, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) compare and contrast avoidant and schizoid personalities. While schizoid and avoidant personality disorders have overlapping traits but distinct characteristics, personality psychologists have argued about it for decades. In this episode, we explore the definitions of each disorder and ongoing debates surrounding if these disorders are the same thing or not. We end by sharing our thoughts about whether schizoid personality and avoidant personality are the same or different, while giving a critical opinion about the DSM’s limiting definitions of both.
Doc Bok
Doc Fish
Schizoid Personality Disorder vs. Avoidant Personality Disorder
Ever wonder why schizoid personality disorder and avoidant personality disorder seem to overlap so much but are also so different? What in the world happened to create a confusion about these two personalities that has lasted over 50 years?! In this blog, I discuss relevant history, how schizoid and avoidant split, and the current DSM, before comparing and contrasting schizoid and avoidant.
Doc Fish
Ep 38: Unpacking Schizoid Subtypes | A Critical Look
In this episode of The Personality Couch, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) take a critical look at the subtypes of schizoid personality, critiquing existing definitions and theories, particularly the 6 subtypes of Dr. Theodore Millon. We explore his mild, moderate, and severe subtypes: the Reserved Apathetic, Introspectively Apathetic, Remotely Asocial, Languidly Asocial, Depersonalized Schizoid, and Affectless Schizoid. We propose our own 5 subtypes and invite our schizoid listeners and viewers to share which type they identify with the most!
Doc Bok
Doc Fish
Schizoid Personality Subtypes (Millon’s and Ours)
Here, I unpack Millon’s 6 Schizoid subtypes, but they aren’t super great…so Doc Bok and I made our own! Check out our 5 Schizoid subtypes too, and let us know what you think!
Doc Fish
Ep 37: Answering Viewer Questions About Schizoid Personality
In this episode of The Personality Couch, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) answer your most-asked questions about schizoid personality. We address misconceptions about schizoid and settle its pronunciation debate (is it skii-zoid or skitz-oid?). We also explore the significant role (or not) of maternal relationships in schizoid’s development. Relatedly, we take a critical look at emotional expression, where we discuss the impact of gender expectations, and the nuanced understanding of fear of intrusion. We further explore power dynamics at play in schizoid behavior, their expression of anger, and how this personality navigates our highly social world.
Doc Bok
Doc Fish
Answering Your Questions About Schizoid
Viewer questions have been steadily coming in, so here are some answers to questions such as: How do you pronounce schizoid? Can schizoids experience anger? Do schizoids mask? And more…
Doc Fish
Ep 36: Schizoid Personality vs Autism | Are They the Same?
In this episode of The Personality Couch, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) unpack the differences and similarities between schizoid personality disorder and autism spectrum disorder, and whether you can be diagnosed with both. We start by discussing the limitations of current research before investigating the underlying causes of social withdrawal seen in both conditions. We conclude by emphasizing that while they may share observable traits, their origins and implications are fundamentally different.
Doc Bok
Doc Fish
Schizoid Personality Disorder vs. Autism Spectrum Disorder
What is the difference between schizoid personality disorder and autism spectrum disorder? They seem similar…but they’re actually very different! Here, I explore the overlaps and contrasts of both schizoid and autism.
Doc Fish