Understanding Schizoid Personality Trait
By: Christine Hammond, LMHC The name “schizoid” was coined in the early 1900’s but it really has nothing to do with similar names like schizophrenia, schizoaffective, or schizotypal. Rather, it is closer in identity to avoidant personality disorder with many of the same characteristics and traits but adds the element of a blunt affect. Perhaps the best definition of a schizoid is a person who pulls away from others and their own emotions or feelings thereby creating flat emotionless responses. So what is Schizoid? Well, according to the new DSM-V, schizoid is no longer a personality disorder in and of itself rather it is now classified under Personality Disorder Trait Specified (PDTS). This means that there was not enough research to properly classify schizoids as having a named personality disorder but there is evidence enough that it does exist. So the traits of schizoid are still classifiable and qualify as a PDTS. Here is the te...