Treatment of schizoid personality: An analytic psychotherapy handbook

Abstract

This volume presents a contemporary psychodynamic treatment for schizoid personality and related non-psychotic schizophrenia-spectrum personality disorders. Recent theoretical advances in psychodynamic nosology and important contributions from a century of psychoanalytic research on schizoid phenomenon are operationalized to provide clinicians with comprehensive suggestions with respect to assessment, technique, format, areas of thematic focus, countertransference, defense, and the process of change with schizoid patients. This handbook was developed as a Stage I treatment manual sufficient for an initial evaluation of feasibility and efficacy in clinical trials. Developing an understanding of the schizoid's personality organization and object relations is the ultimate goal of this handbook and the springboard from which treatment implications are suggested. New research on issues including attachment, neurobiology, etiological factors, relevant adjunct treatments, and medication are included to inform a broad and integrated approach to treatment. Short case vignettes are built in to help the practitioner understand how clinical theory becomes therapeutic process, while navigation tools, including outlines, indexes, summaries, and original flow sheets are included to summarize important concepts and reinforce learning. Self-adherence measures have been developed to aid the therapist in adhering to treatment guidelines.

Keywords: schizoid personality disorder, avoidant personality disorder, schizotypal personality disorder, transference-focused psychotherapy