I found this article and thought it might be of interest:
http://www.pipeline.com/~dada3zen/schizo...sorder.htm
The assignment was to write about an "oppressed group". Allison wished not to use the usual suspects (racial, sexual orientation, etc) and she decided to use a novel idea that had been bouncing around in my head: the opposition of the term "disorder" for a personality type. That many of these personality types are not disorders, but in fact actual base personalities. Yes, of course, the semantical response is one of "But, Schizoid does effect ones life to the point of it being rightfully considered a disorder, as opposed to a base personality type." To which it does only in the sense of it's oppression via societal lifestyle norms and/or expectations of which are based upon extreme extroversion. So, an extreme introvert is, essentially, oppressed by their base personality. Thus invites the term "disorder". However, I still argue the validity of "disorder" being attached to certain personalities as Schizoid. [...]
I say: screw societal norms and let base personality types be as they are. Create opportunities for these base personality types, rather than further compound the issue through oppression in by viewing them as "wrong/disordered/etc" simply (in essence) because they don't fit nice and neatly within your (societies) understandings and/or leanings/preferences, etc, and trying to change them...when...well, nothing's "wrong" (per se) to begin with. Majority does not rule in such matters as nature, lest we forget. And the nature of a Schizoid has no reason, other than societies oppressively shaped "daily life", to be considered a "disorder" (in my opinion).
A schizoid personality is indeed not a disorder. It is a valid way of being, as worthy as other ways of being.
Geez, that dude Michael in the article sounds like he could have AS?
What would make a difference between Schizoid personality as opposed to AS? Would it be that we have a hard time understanding socializing as opposed to schiziod personality just being an EXTREME case of introversion?
Interesting article...
The major difference between Schizoid personality(SPD) and AS is.
A person with SPD has social skills and knows how to make friends etc. but don't want socialize and have friends.
They prize independence, solitude and find other people obtrusive.
While people with AS have a hard time understanding how to socialize, but the most of them want to make friends etc.
As I noticed that there isn't really a place on AFF for info and discussion on wider cousin-related research, rights & stuff, I just put it in here (since this seemed the most appropriate place for it). Hope that's ok.
For those who don't know what on earth a 'cousin' is, here's the wiki definition:
Cousin -- A cousin is someone who is not technically autistic in the clinical use of the word, but is still similar enough to autistic people to be as much a part of autistic culture as someone officially diagnosable with autism. Sometimes these people are similar because they have a similar condition (although a cousin doesn't have to have any psychological conditions) such as schizoid personality disorder, schizotypal personality disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, or hyperlexia. AC is often used to stand for "autistics and cousins."
http://aspiesforfreedom.com/wiki/index.p...ic_culture
The major difference between Schizoid personality(SPD) and AS is.
A person with SPD has social skills and knows how to make friends etc. but don't want socialize and have friends.
They prize independence, solitude and find other people obtrusive.
While people with AS have a hard time understanding how to socialize, but the most of them want to make friends etc.
I appreciate this post...I seem to fall somewhere between these two types, but I relate more to the schizoid type...I actually cope pretty well with most social situations (aside from: customer service duties, training or supervising anyone else, talking to or caring for children, physical contact other than handshakes, pats or the 3-second superficial hug, kissing of ANYONE other than pets, and any & all  romantic/sexual situations...*chuckles at how long the list is
*).  In fact, the psychologist who diagnosed me with Asperger's says he took a few weeks longer than usual to ponder my odd personality because he considered the possibility of my having schizoid personality traits & actually wrote in his report, "Her affect is odd and stilted, almost schizoid like."  (!)  In the end I have to conclude that I am a mixed bag, as so many people are, with a blend of traits from many categories; however, social indifference is still more of an issue for me than lack of social skill.
Cousin: could part of the definition be that a cousin would respect an Aspergian enough to seek marriage with one?
I seem to have an uncannily easier time attracting women with disabilities (usually the less noticeable sort of disability).
And it seems uncannily difficult attracting the attention of "non-disabled" women.
This really makes me wonder, like not long after 9/11, when my first gf (a cousin, bipolar) of 10 years ago strenuously insisted "[I'll] get a girlfriend", really makes me wonder if AC (Aspergians and cousins) are mutually identifiable on unconscious social or romantic radar, whereas either would seem invisible on comparable NT radar.
The fact that I have attracted some friends without wheels (mostly women but not limited to) while having wheels might be something else to consider. The times that women with cars have noticed me (three times), it has almost seemed newsworthy.
Autistic cousin, that's me alright! I'm diagnosed with borderline and avoidant personality disorders, generalized anxiety disorder, and Asperger traits. I feel far more comfortable with autistic/AS people then I do with NTs. Yet I am not a aspie, I can read people and I can do social, I just hate it! I also have a 7 year old son diagnosed with AS. I really appreciate this thread, I feel I don't belong anywhere, I seem to have one foot in the spectrum, the other in the neurotypical world, no-man's land.
And some cousins are closer than one might think.
In my case in 1996->2006 the folks in this area hadn't worked with enough older ASD folks to diagnose the difference. In their view I had a personality disorder with paranoid/ schizoid/ hypomanic features, in addition to dysthimic PD. Last year I got an upgrade (LOL) to Major Depressive/Dysthimic/Asperger's.
A necessary feature for Schizoid PD is indifference to criticism, and I know I don't have that... I am quite the opposite.
I am not socially indifferent either... I avoid making friends because too many people are overstimulating and my "train of thought" becomes disturbed from social responsibilities, which is more AS than Schizoid.
I also find I feel very alone in a group of people, I can really only socialize with 1-2 at a time. More AS than Schizoid.
What do you folks think?
Issues of neurodiversity affect more than just people with AS; has anyone considered contacting other anti cure groups? (If such exist); those apposed to a cure for schizoid personality disorder for example. Would this bring us some valuable allies or just muddy the waters concerning our own anti cure campaign?
Issues of neurodiversity affect more than just people with AS; has anyone considered contacting other anti cure groups? (If such exist); those apposed to a cure for schizoid personality disorder for example. Would this bring us some valuable allies or just muddy the waters concerning our own anti cure campaign?
What about the Mad Movement? Does that count?
Issues of neurodiversity affect more than just people with AS; has anyone considered contacting other anti cure groups? (If such exist); those apposed to a cure for schizoid personality disorder for example. Would this bring us some valuable allies or just muddy the waters concerning our own anti cure campaign?
What about the Mad Movement? Does that count?
I must confess I'm very ill informed about the autistic rights movement; I'm really only just getting into the subject and have much learn.
Issues of neurodiversity affect more than just people with AS; has anyone considered contacting other anti cure groups? (If such exist); those apposed to a cure for schizoid personality disorder for example. Would this bring us some valuable allies or just muddy the waters concerning our own anti cure campaign?
What about the Mad Movement? Does that count?
I must confess I'm very ill informed about the autistic rights movement; I'm really only just getting into the subject and have much learn.
The Autistic Rights movement is an offshoot of the Disability Rights movement. It's main feature is a general consensus amongst its members that autism is a natural variation of human neurology which deserves to be treated with respect and celebrated, not cured.
The Neurodiversity movement is the same concept, applied to all human beings; the idea that ALL forms of (non-life threatening)neurological variance are valid variations and not disorders to be cured. This includes ASDs, ADD/ADHD, personality disorders, OCD, and many many more.
The Mad Movement is also an offshoot of the Disability Rights movement; their goal is to raise awareness of mistreatment of intellectually disabled people and people with mental disorders/differences; misuse and overprescription of drugs to treat such conditions; and to promote the use of less harmful alternative treatments (they are usually concerned with things like Schitzophrenia or depression or Bipolar disorder, so there is less of an idea of "anti-cure"; instead they are "anti-drug-treatments").
Other than that I don't really know of any groups or movements that support a concept similar to neurodiversity. Well, except for the Neurodiversity movement at large. You should check out http://www.neurodiversity.com
Thanks Luai_lashire...I had a reasonably good idea about meaning of Neurodiversity; and knew that Autistic rights was anti cure. I believe very strongly in both these ideas. I didn't know about the Mad Movement although had heard the term before.
Thanks for the neurodiversity link...very helpful.