Definition of the word schizoid

The term "schizoid" originated in the field of psychology in the 1920s. It was coined by the Swiss psychiatrist Paul Eugen Bleuler, who introduced it as a descriptor for individuals who displayed detachment, social isolation, and a lack of emotional reactivity, as part of his groundbreaking work on schizophrenia. Bleuler assumed that these characteristics represented an extreme form of "schizophrenic thinking," where one's thoughts became increasingly disconnected and fragmented from reality. However, it eventually became apparent that these symptoms were distinct from those observed in schizophrenia and were, in fact, indicative of a separate personality trait. Today, "schizoid" is recognized as a clinical term that refers to individuals who exhibit social introversion and detachment, as distinguished from those diagnosed with schizophrenia.