Posted by Dinah on January 14, 2004, at 9:00:52
In reply to Re: (((((ELLE))))) MY SISTER!!!!!! » Dinah, posted by Elle2021 on January 14, 2004, at 5:07:51
Argggh. I wrote you a long post and my computer ate it. And I need to be at work. But I'll give you an abbreviated version, because I really do remember how bad I felt. At least I could yell at my therapist about it, but that doesn't sound like an option for you.
I think you need to do some research on the internet about schizoid/schizotypal. Your doctor's description was overly alarming and too negative. I can't tell you it's a flattering diagnosis but it's not that bad.
First off, though they are in the same cluster, they aren't the same disorder. Nor do they have the same relationship to schizophrenia. I think at one time, the thinking was different, but studies didn't bear that out.
Schizoid personality disorder is closer to Asperger's. Think loner or maybe geek. They don't want or need companionship. They are indifferent to praise or criticism. Frankly that doesn't sound like you, from what I've seen on the board. You don't seem indifferent to criticism, and if anything you seem more than usually empathetic to others.
Schizotypal personality disorder is seen more often in relatives of schizophrenics. That's probably a big reason I got the diagnosis. Although honestly, my relatives may well have been bipolar. Back then they lumped any delusional behavior under schizophrenia. But people with schizotypal personality disorder don't commonly become schizophrenic. I've heard Shirley Maclaine used as an example. The example in "DSM-IV Made Easy" was far more extreme, and enough to convince me I don't have the disorder, even if I am a bit eccentric.
I think I got the diagnosis because I dress in long T-shirt dresses with knee socks and tennies, frequently wear my hair in two braids or ponytails, sometimes have a flat expression (but not often - moreso before I got in touch with my feelings), said I worried about my parents when they were on a trip so that nothing bad would happen to them (which sounds sort of OCD to me), and read more than I talk (often historical fiction) so that my language is sometimes arcane. For myself, I think eccentric would cover me, possibly schizotypal traits. But if I were schizotypal it wouldn't be the end of the world.
http://www.geocities.com/ptypes/schizotypalpd.html
http://www.hsc.wvu.edu/aap/aap-car/videos.htm
Borderline traits aren't awful, although it's probably better not to mention to potential mental health professionals. There is unreasonable prejudice out there. I walked into my therapist's office with "Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder" by Marsha Linehan and pointed out all the things that matched how I felt, and sometimes how I acted. It helps me understand myself better.
As for not being able to maintain a long term therapeutic relationship, that depeds a lot on the therapist. Tell him to refer you to a decent one. If you don't like the one he refers you to, keep looking. They are out there. I don't handle being pushed well either. And so what? I am far more easily led than pushed, and I see that as a character strength, not a weakness.
poster:Dinah
thread:296222
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040110/msgs/300564.html