behavioral therapy, which challenges their maladaptive belief system. In the end, it is difficult to establish rapport with these individuals as they are mistrustful of others. Untreated individuals will have difficulty in workplace, educational, and social settings, often being unemployed or underemployed. They may wish to be intimate with others but know they cannot trust another that intimately.
SCHIZOID PERSONALITY DISORDER (301.20) This is referred to as SPD and is another cluster A disorder. This occurs in less than 1 percent of the general population and involves individuals who stay away from close, personal relationships, choosing instead to remain away and detached from others in society. They engage in solitary activities and choose jobs that keep them away from frequent human-tohuman interaction. They see themselves as societal “bystanders” rather than being involved and active in society. This is not seen commonly, even in psychiatric populations. It is seen more commonly in males and among criminal offenders. No one knows the etiology of this disorder but it does seem to be related to schizophrenia (but not as severe in nature). It has a lot of similarities to the negative symptoms of schizophrenia, such as a lack of emotion, avoidance of others, and lack of motivation. It has some parallel features to other personality disorders, particularly narcissistic, avoidant, and antisocial personality disorders. The major feature is fear of the world with more comfort known by being isolated, secluded, and hidden from the rest of the world. They are extremely submissive and seek validation from within other than from other people. Their apathy often makes them more easily manipulated by others. Their isolation puts them at a higher risk of depression compared to people without the disorder.
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