HEY YOU! Do you have Schizoid personality disorder?

Ralph Klein, Clinical Director of the Masterson Institute delineates the following nine characteristics of the schizoid personality as described by Harry Guntrip: introversion, withdrawnness, narcissism, self-sufficiency, a sense of superiority, loss of affect, loneliness, depersonalization, and regression.[10]

According to Guntrip, "By the very meaning of the term the schizoid is described as cut off from the world of outer reality in an emotional sense. All this libidinal desire and striving is directed inward toward internal objects and he lives an intense inner life often revealed in an astonishing wealth and richness of fantasy and imaginative life whenever that becomes accessible to observation. Though mostly his varied fantasy life is carried on in secret, hidden away." The schizoid person is cut off from outer reality to such a degree that he or she experiences outer reality as dangerous. It is a natural human response to turn away from sources of danger and toward sources of safety. The schizoid individual, therefore, is primarily concerned with avoiding danger and ensuring safety.[10]

SHOOT: Intwisting.

clipped from en.wikipedia.org According to the ICD-10, schizoid personality disorder is characterized by at least three of the following criteria: Emotional coldness, detachment or reduced affection. Limited capacity to express either positive or negative emotions towards others. Consistent preference for solitary activities. Very few, if any, close friends or relationships, and a lack of desire for such. Indifference to either praise or criticism. Taking pleasure in few, if any, activities. Indifference to social norms and conventions. Preoccupation with fantasy and introspection. Lack of desire for sexual experiences with another person. DSM-IV, which is an earlier version of DSM-IV-TR, does say that a person with Schizoid Personality Disorder may feel sensitive to the opinions of others and may even feel lonely but can not do anything about the loneliness due to the disorder.[9]