YOU ARE NOT ALONE - A companion online community discussion board for The Mental Illness Happy Hour podcast with Paul Gilmartin

I feel like borderline and narcissism tend to be the personality disorders that get the most attention. I lived with a mother who had dependent personality disorder and this is like virtually dead space on the internet. I can't find any resources about it and no one seems to even know it exists, but I assure you it does and it was devastating. I would love to see more of the personality disorders get highlighted in your section on diagnosed mental illness. Thanks, Paul, for all that you do!! This place is amazing.

I completely agree! I have schizoid personality, which is almost never talked about. When it is mentioned people think I mean schizophrenic, which it has nothing to do with.

I thought I was normal growing up, I didn't think it was strange not being able to make friends, but it wasn't important to me. When my child with aspergers got older I saw many similarities between us and I thought maybe that's what I had. I finally went back to therapy and the therapist immediately told me I didn't have Aspergers, I had eye contact and I don't have the social awkwardness. (Among other things). It was only until I described how I am very secretive, and how even though I love people I prefer not to be around them 90% of the time and I have 0 friends and it doesn't bother me no matter how much people tell me it should. I was either ignored or raised by a narcissistic mother. My therapist finally said sounds I have schizoid personality. And I had no idea what it was.

I can tell others on this forum I have schizoid PD but I bet it doesn't mean shit to anybody. So yeah, I agree, a little education about all the many personality disorders would be great. There are so many kinds of humans out there, I know I'm weird and am interested in the science part of this if nothing else to learn about all of us.... It certainly won't hurt

Hi Kismet,
I was diagnosed with schizoid pd before. I don't know if I'm really schizoid, I may just be avoidant, but I'm a loner. I don't connect with people. Anyway, just wanted to let you know that there was somebody out there who knew what schizoid meant and that you are not alone.

Great suggestion. Sorry I just got around to it. Created a thread.

Not sure how much interest/need there is for this, but I noticed there isn't one for avoidant personality disorder. Of course, given the nature of the problem, I don't imagine many people would visit, but I thought I'd put it out there.

Great suggestion!
I'm on it.

Paul

You're awesome. Thanks, Paul.