Is this a real thing?

Hey there.

I decided to bring this topic over to the general health board instead of the psychology section—mostly because nobody seems to actually listen to what I have to say over there.

So, here’s the deal: I recently saw a psychiatrist, and they gave me a diagnosis of schizoid paranoid and apathetic. Now, it’s got me thinking—is "schizoidness" even really a disease? To me, it feels less like some medical condition and more like just... my way of living life.

Anyone here actually experienced this who can weigh in?

It’s honestly pretty tough to draw a straight line between just having a disorder and actually being sick. Things like paranoia or feeling totally apathetic—those are mental health disorders, sure, but if you're dealing with something schizoid in nature, it sounds like something is triggering a real split in your personality or causing this bivalent state. That’s definitely not a way to live, though. Personally, I’d suggest looking into some holistic or natural approaches. I dealt with major apathy myself once—it was actually caused by an underlying physical illness—and I struggled through different phases for a couple of years before I finally snapped out of it in just a few days. Mind you, I wrote a whole separate post about my experience with that over on the women’s health thread regarding PCOS.
I actually know someone who went through the ringer with anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizoid psychosis. They managed to pull through too, but they didn't do it using stuff like Ativan or Xanax. Usually, there's something pulling at you from childhood or your early years—some trauma, massive stress, a complex, or just deep-seated dissatisfaction. Psychoanalysis can really help, but let's be real, those sessions go on forever. If you try to go through a community clinic, it might not be great, and private therapists in the States can be insanely expensive, even if they are high quality. Just keep digging around a bit; you'll figure something out. 🙂

Donna Wood52 said:Hello there.

I decided to bring this topic over to the health board instead of psychology, mainly because I feel like nobody on the psychology side really understands where I'm coming from.

So, here’s the situation: I recently saw a psychiatrist, and they diagnosed me with schizoid paranoid and apathetic tendencies. Now I find myself wondering—is being schizoid actually a disease? To me, it feels more like a way of life than some kind of illness.

Does anyone here have any experience with this who might be able to weigh in?

To my mind, that doesn't sound much like a clinical diagnosis so much as just a description of your history. Did they give you an actual DSM code or anything specific? Without that, it isn't quite a formal diagnosis.

Actually, after I went through some psychological testing myself, I was labeled as schizoid, though the official diagnosis ended up being depression. So, I suppose that's why I say it might not necessarily be your primary diagnosis.

I have to agree with shadowtrucker18 on this one. That said, I also find myself nodding along with Ashley Smith61. My own journey through this has been incredibly difficult. I think shadowtrucker18 really understands the psychological side of things when posting here. For a while, I was prescribed Zoloft and Xanax, but honestly, I didn't feel much of an improvement at all. Eventually, my doctor prescribed some liquid medication instead. Within just five days, it felt like a completely different person had emerged. To be clear, my actual problems haven't vanished—my circumstances and surroundings are exactly the same—but my internal reaction to them has shifted entirely. My perspective and how I perceive myself have changed. These days, I feel calm, upbeat, and genuinely content.
Ashley Smith61, would you mind sending me a private message with the name of your doctor and what part of the US you're in? Based on your writing style, I have a feeling we might have seen the same 🙂