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Class 7: Cluster C and A PDs
Classification and Etiology of Cluster C and Cluster A PDs
Bernstein – Schizoid and avoidant personality disorders
Clinical Description
Schizoid Individuals
Affective:
o Schizoid individuals typically appear passive and detached, as if they
were drifting aimlessly through life.
o They are emotionally bland, cold, unempathic, or unreactive, and
seem insensitive to the nuances of social interaction, including praise
and criticism.
Social:
o They are frequently experienced by others as dull or boring and are
almost always socially isolated, not from social anxiety and an active
avoidance of social situations, but from an incapacity for meaningful
social engagement.
o In fact, the incapacity for social relatedness can be considered the
cardinal feature of the disorder
Take Pleasure / Activity
o Closely connected with the lack of affective investment in social
relationships is an inability to take pleasure in activities of either a social
or a physical nature.
o Typically pleasurable activities such taking a walk on a beach, listening to
a concert, going dancing, and playing sports are usually found wanting.
o Sex is seen as overrated.
o Activities that are pursued are usually solitary, involving interactions
with inanimate objects rather than people.
o Occupations, such as computer programming or mail sorting, which
involve a minimum of meaningful social interaction, are preferred.
Perception World
o The world is experienced in shades of gray rather than in color.
Class 7: Cluster C and A PDs
Classification and Etiology of Cluster C and Cluster A PDs
Bernstein – Schizoid and avoidant personality disorders
Clinical Description
Schizoid Individuals
Affective:
o Schizoid individuals typically appear passive and detached, as if they
were drifting aimlessly through life.
o They are emotionally bland, cold, unempathic, or unreactive, and
seem insensitive to the nuances of social interaction, including praise
and criticism.
Social:
o They are frequently experienced by others as dull or boring and are
almost always socially isolated, not from social anxiety and an active
avoidance of social situations, but from an incapacity for meaningful
social engagement.
o In fact, the incapacity for social relatedness can be considered the
cardinal feature of the disorder
Take Pleasure / Activity
o Closely connected with the lack of affective investment in social
relationships is an inability to take pleasure in activities of either a social
or a physical nature.
o Typically pleasurable activities such taking a walk on a beach, listening to
a concert, going dancing, and playing sports are usually found wanting.
o Sex is seen as overrated.
o Activities that are pursued are usually solitary, involving interactions
with inanimate objects rather than people.
o Occupations, such as computer programming or mail sorting, which
involve a minimum of meaningful social interaction, are preferred.
Perception World
o The world is experienced in shades of gray rather than in color.
