How Can Group Therapy Help Individuals With Schizoid Personality Disorder Become More Attached?

Living with schizoid personality disorder can be lonely. An individual with schizoid personality disorder may have difficulty expressing their emotions and may not experience joy the way other people do. It can be difficult for these individuals to express emotions or act appropriately in certain situations. This can make it especially difficult to relate to others or form healthy relationships with peers. An individual diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder may think of themselves as an observer rather than a participant in their own life.

This can feel very isolating. However, living with the burden of this disorder does not have to be done alone. By entering treatment, a person can begin to overcome the life challenges associated with schizoid personality disorder. This decision to seek mental health treatment is a positive step toward a better future. At 12 South Recovery, we offer group therapy to help individuals facing difficulties with this disorder learn to function better socially and emotionally. Our facility offers the support needed to overcome the negative effects that can arise from a variety of mental health conditions.

What Is Schizoid Personality Disorder?

As stated by Medline Plus, schizoid personality disorder is a psychiatric disorder in which an individual has a persistent pattern of indifference toward others often resulting in chosen social isolation.  The onset of this mental health condition is often in early adulthood. An individual diagnosed with this disorder typically does not enjoy building relationships with others and does not like close relationships with other people.

Individuals with schizoid personality disorder choose to be detached from society. They may often be perceived as loners and may come off as cold or even rude due to avoidance of others.

Although there is no specific known cause of schizoid personality disorder, researchers have discovered that the condition shares similar risk factors as schizophrenia. Early childhood environmental factors and genetics may play a role in its development. It is important to note, however, that unlike schizophrenia, schizoid personality disorder does not involve delusions or hallucinations. Schizophrenia causes an intense disconnection from reality, whereas schizoid personality disorder involves a voluntary disconnection from peers.

Symptoms of Schizoid Personality Disorder

Individuals with schizoid personality disorder may display unique, odd, or eccentric behaviors. According to the publication Schizoid Personality Disorder, written by Kamron A. Fariba, Nandhini Madhanagopal, and Vikas Gupta, an individual with this disorder may often be described as aloof, blunt, distant, and disengaged. As outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), the diagnostic criteria for schizoid personality disorder are very specific. An individual with this condition may present limited means of emotional expression in social settings. The way that this can manifest in a person’s life can include:

• A lack of enjoyment in connecting with others
• The choice to do activities by themselves
• A desire for very little intimacy
• A lack of interest in most activities
• The absence of close friendships
• A failure to respond to praise or criticism
• Flattened affect, emotional coldness, and detachment
• A lack of motivation

The Value of Group Therapy

Although there are very few treatment options in caring for individuals with schizoid personality disorder, group therapy is known to be beneficial. This type of therapy can be quite helpful for those facing challenges with the effects of this condition. As stated in the publication Group Therapy by Akshay Malhotra and Jeff Baker, group therapy can treat multiple people at the same time for a condition. Multiple healthcare providers can even use different techniques together to treat multiple clients with schizoid personality disorder. 

Group therapy offers a number of advantages. These can include:

• Universality: Individuals benefit from sharing similar thoughts, problems, and feelings with others.
• Altruism: Improvement of self-concept from assisting like-minded individuals.
• Instillation of hope: Individuals gain motivation from witnessing others’ successes.
• Imparting information: People gain knowledge from the providers and others involved.
• Corrective recapitulation of primary family experience: A person may benefit from recreating family dynamics in a controlled environment.
• Learned socialization techniques: Individuals learn new effective ways to interact with others.
• Imitation: People acquire an increased understanding from observing other people’s behavior.
• Cohesiveness: Individuals gain support, trust, and feelings of worthiness within a group.
• Existential factors: People can learn to take responsibility for decisions.
• Interpersonal learning: Participants gain an understanding of how certain behaviors impact others.
• Catharism: People benefit from sharing past and present experiences.
• Self-Understanding: Individuals may understand their emotions and behaviors better within a group.

Moving Forward With 12 South Recovery

Whether or not to seek treatment can be a tough decision for some individuals. However, doing so can help an individual live a more comfortable lifestyle. Finding a facility that tailors their services to an individual’s needs can be beneficial for those with mental health conditions.

Searching for the right facility takes time, but checking important boxes is crucial for gaining the healing needed to move forward in life. 12 South Recovery understands that group therapy can be a valuable treatment for those facing challenges with schizoid personality disorder. The team at 12 South offers unconditional support for everyone’s journey. Team members strive to offer everyone a healthier, more fulfilling life with increased mental stability.

Although finding treatment is an important step toward a changed future, committing to treatment is equally as important. Staying dedicated to group therapy can ensure a successful road to recovery. As hard as it can be for an individual with schizoid personality disorder, accepting support from family and friends during this process can also yield positive results.

Individuals with schizoid personality disorder often choose to isolate themselves from others. Professional treatment can help those with this condition develop the social skills needed to achieve close relationships with others. Group therapy can help those with schizoid personality disorder learn to enjoy activities and gain increased motivation to pursue goals in life. At 12 South Recovery, we are a leader in Orange County mental health treatment, offering various tools that help people thrive. Our team uses proven therapies and an evidence-based approach to facilitate success. We understand that this disorder can be challenging to live with. Our group therapy service can help people overcome these obstacles. Call 12 South Recovery at (888) 830-8374 for more information.