Living with Schizoid Personality Disorder (SPD)

Donna Wood52 said:br.1: I was actually just about to sit him down and walk him through the nuance between schizoid and schizotypal personality disorders—you know, the actual clinical distinctions—but honestly? I think he’s
just playing the fool.

br.2: Kenneth Campbell, look, I don't see myself ever touching drugs, but I'll admit... during that whole adolescent identity crisis phase, I did dip my toes in.

That's good.

Any crisis can be overcome if handled correctly...

To be perfectly honest, I haven't actually met anyone from my local area in person; my entire social circle exists solely through the internet. I certainly don't hold any ill will toward them, and I suspect that, in most cases, they aren't the ones at fault, but rather their environment—perhaps their parents or the general social circles they grew up in—which may have subjected them to countless harsh experiences, such as constant criticism, mockery, or even outright insults.
I suppose I might be somewhat antisocial myself, even though I do maintain a group of acquaintances, though I tend to keep that part of my nature hidden from them, as I just don't particularly enjoy being around many people, nor do I find it easy to trust them.

Donna Wood52 said:Yeah, call me antisocial if you want—I don't really care. It’s become my lifestyle at this point, and honestly? I've grown to prefer it.
I've just been burned by people far too many times; I'm jaded, plain and simple, and I feel most at peace when I'm flying solo.
That’s actually why I started this thread—I'm curious to see how everyone else perceives people who live like this...

I mean, you can't exactly live a full life entirely by yourself, though you certainly don't need to be out socializing constantly either.

Donna Wood52 said:Have you ever actually crossed paths with someone like this? What’s your take on people who operate this way—I mean, what do you think drives someone to be completely antisocial and just... totally detached from everyone else?

I'm a big fan of 21st Century Schizoid Man (King Crimson).
Most people just label them as antisocial or distant. Usually, those folks don't really "get" them, so they reject them. But honestly? The person isn't trying to be difficult—they're just being themselves, whether that fits in with the crowd or not.