Review Question - QID 205710

Voluntary social withdrawal is characteristic of schizoid personality disorder.

Schizoid is a Cluster A personality disorder. Patients display limited emotional expression and have a distant affect. Relative to avoidant personality disorder, individuals with schizoid personality disorder are content with social isolation and do not desire interpersonal relationships. Though Cluster A personality disorders have a genetic association with schizophrenia, psychosis is absent in affected individuals.

Angstman et al. review personality disorders. The prevalence of schizoid personality disorder is estimated at 0.5-7% and as high as 14% in the homeless population. Physicians have difficulty following up with affected patients due to frequent withdrawal from care.

Triebwasser et al. review schizoid personality disorder. Affected patients can often be categorized into 2 subtypes: an affect-constricted group that is similar to schizotypal patients, and a seclusive group that is similar to avoidant patients. Patients can be evaluated in relation to these two dimensions.

Illustration A diagrams the Cluster A personality disorders.

Incorrect Answers:
Answer 1: Pervasive suspiciousness is characteristic of paranoid personality disorder.
Answer 3: Hypersensitivity to rejection is characteristic of avoidant personality disorder.
Answer 4: Submissive and clinging behavior is characteristic of dependent personality disorder.
Answer 5: Odd beliefs and magical thinking are characteristic of schizotypal personality disorder.