Schizoid Personality Disorder Vs. Schizophrenia

Commonly conflated by many who do not suffer from either illness, schizoid personality disorder (ScPd) and schizophrenia are very different and affect the people who suffer from them in unique ways. The differences begin with how each disorder is classified: ScPd is a personality disorder, while schizophrenia is a mental health disorder. 

Schizoid personality disorder involves any of the following:

• Showing very little interest in other people
• Feeling little to no motivation to form or maintain relationships with others 
• Difficulties in expressing the full range of emotions
• Preferring to keep to oneself rather than spend time with other people
• Feeling little desire to engage in sexual or romantic relationships

It’s possible that not all schizoid personality types suffer from every symptom. Some symptoms can also be less severe than others. Generally, people with ScPd tend to come off as loners who do not care about others or who fail to show interest in people. 

Schizophrenia, on the other hand, is a mental health disorder that inhibits people from detecting differences between real and unreal experiences. At its most active state, schizophrenia can present as:

• Delusions
• Hallucinations
• Incoherent, unorganized speech
• Cognitive blocks or an inability to complete thoughts
• Extreme lethargy or lack of motivation
• A catatonic or non-responsive state

From an observer’s perspective, people with schizophrenia may appear paranoid or detached from reality, seeing and hearing things that can’t be detected by the people around them. 

Misunderstandings About Personality Disorders Vs. Mental Disorders

Is ScPd a mental health disorder? There’s notable disagreement present among scientists, psychologists, and psychiatrists about whether personality disorders are mental health disorders at all. 

Personality disorders are typically seen as deeply ingrained and long-lasting behavioral patterns that pop up in response to a wide range of work, romantic, social, and familial situations. In addition to the rigidity of their responses, someone with personality disorder may also appear as extreme or impossible not to notice—as they almost always differ from how the majority of individuals think, act, respond, and behave. Like many mental disorders, personality disorders can’t be cured. They can be managed and their symptoms mitigated, but those symptoms may not always inhibit a person’s ability to perform in daily life. 

A Conclusion For The Confusion

There seem to be at least three reasons why people commonly mix up ScPd and schizophrenia: 

• Schizoid sounds similar to schizo and because people are generally more familiar with schizophrenia, anything that sounds like it might be likened to it. 
• The lack of awareness around personality disorders and their need for treatment may create even more of an obstacle in distinguishing between the two conditions.
• A minority of people with personality disorders enter treatment for those disorders themselves; instead, they may enter treatment for co-occurring disorders like addiction or depression. 

Does Either Disorder Require Mental Health Treatment?

Depending on how either ScPd or schizophrenia affects you and your loved ones, inpatient treatment at our residential center in Middleton or outpatient programs at our Waukesha facility may be necessary. For people suffering from ScPd, there are several avenues for treatment within outpatient:

• Various forms of talk therapy 
• Group therapies
• Applicable medications for anxiety or depression

Schizophrenia treatment options include taking antipsychotic medications, entering therapy, life-skills building, occupational therapy, and professional assistance in searching for and securing a job. 

Get Treatment For Mental Health and Personality Disorders in Wisconsin

If you suspect that you or a loved one is dealing with ScPd, schizophrenia, or any other mental health or personality disorder, Miramont is here for you. We’re also available to help you understand a recent schizophrenia diagnosis or provide resources for living with ScPd for you and your family. Contact us today at either of our locations for more answers and support.