Neurotic Solution: Schizotypal Type

The strategy of the Schizotypal solution can be interpreted from the discussion by John M.Oldham and Lois B. Morris of the Idiosyncratic personality style.

Schizotypal Personality Disorder
Idiosyncratic Personality Type
Resignation Solution

Neurotic Needs

Compulsive Attachments	Compulsive Aversions
non-conformity dreaming the spirit visions mysticism eccentricity freethinking idiosyncratic feelings and belief systems, worldview, and approach to life odd habits self-direction independence the occult the extrasensory the supernatural abstract and speculative thinking being inner-directed observing others new experiences and feelings rapture freedom from rules	conformity convention tradition close relationships how other people react to them that others think them strange old belief systems joining affiliation adapting accepting or espousing anyone else's principles and beliefs standard explanations ridicule doubt uncertainty disillusionment the "regular" world narrow-minded people normal behavior standards others' expectations accepting authority

Neurotic Solution

American Psychiatric Association (pg. 645)

Social and interpersonal deficits marked by acute discomfort with, and reduced capacity for, close relationships as well as by cognitive or perceptual distortions and eccentricities of behavior.

ideas of reference (excluding delusions of reference);
odd beliefs or magical thinking that influences behavior and is inconsistent with subcultural norms (e.g., superstitiousness, belief in clairvoyance, telepathy, or "sixth sense"; in children and adolescents, bizarre fantasies or preoccupations);
unusual perceptual experiences, including bodily illusions;
odd thinking and speech (e.g., vague, circumstantial, metaphorical, overelaborate, or stereotyped);
suspiciousness or paranoid ideation;
inappropriate or constricted affect;
behavior or appearance that is odd, eccentric, or peculiar;
lack of close friends or confidants other than first-degree relatives;
excessive social anxiety that does not diminish with familiarity and tends to be associated with paranoid fears rather than negative judgments about self.

Neurotic Beliefs and Attitudes

Rationalizations and reinforcements of the particular compulsive attachments and aversions and the neurotic solution that they engender.

Aaron T. Beck, Arthur M. Freeman and associates (pg. 140)

I feel like an alien in a frightening environment.
Since the world is dangerous, you have to watch out for yourself at all times.
There are reasons for everything. Things don't happen by chance.
Sometimes my inner feelings are an indication of what is going to happen.
Relationships are threatening.
I am defective.

Idealized Image

The particular "solution" is idealized (Horney, 1950, pg. 22)

John M. Oldham and Lois B. Morris (pp. 252-53)

Idiosyncratic men and women are not like anyone else. They are dreamers, seekrs of the spirit, visionaries, mystics. They march to a distinctive beat, different from the conventional rhythms that most people follow. They are true originals and often they stand out, sometimes as eccentrics, sometimes as geniuses.

Inner life. Idiosyncratic individuals are tuned in to and sustained by their own feelings and belief systems, whether or not others accept or understand their particular worldview or approach to life.

Own world. They are self-directed and independent, requiring few close relationships.

Own thing. Oblivious to convention, Idiosyncratic individuals create interesting, unusual, often eccentric lifestyles.

Expanded reality. Open to anything, they are interested in the occult, the extrasensory, and the supernatural.

Metaphysics. They are drawn to abstract and speculative thinking.

Outward view. Though they are inner-directed and follow their own hearts and minds, Idiosyncratic men and women are keen observers of others, particularly sensitive to how other people react to them.

Attributes of the Idealized Image

Originality, integrity, bravery, confidence.
Independence, purposefulness.
Creativity, artistry.
Openness to experience, curiosity, spirituality.
Open-mindedness.
Alertness, sensitivity.

Unconventional (Oldham 252), self-directed, independent (252), openmindedness (254), inner-directed, inner strength (258), focused ("intense concentration" 262), creative, freethinking, emotional intensity, self-contained (264), indifferent (264), creativity, curiosity, openness (265), uniqueness (266), spiritual (266), interesting, original, spiritual, creative, gifted (267), self-intense (268).

Neurotic Pride

Neurotic Claims

Neurotic Search for Glory

The neurotic search for glory is the comprehensive drive to actualize the idealized self. Besides self-idealization it consists of the need for perfection, neurotic ambition, and the drive for vindictive triumph. The need for perfection functions in the personality as, what Horney called, "tyrannical shoulds."

Tyrannical Shoulds

Self-Hate

References

American Psychiatric Association (1994). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-IV. 4th ed. Washington: Author.

American Psychiatric Association (2000). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed., text revision. Washington: Author.

Aaron T. Beck, Arthur M. Freeman and Associates (1990). Cognitive Therapy of Personality Disorders. New York: Guilford Press.

Terry D. Cooper (2003). Sin, Pride, and Self-Acceptance: The Problem of Identity in Theology and Psychology. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Karen Horney (1950). Neurosis and Human Growth. New York: W. W. Norton.

John M.Oldham and Lois B. Morris (1995). The New Personality Self-Portrait. Rev. ed. New York: Bantam.

Home - Conscientious personality type - Summary - Correspondence
Personality Disorders - Search - Comments - Index

This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. (See Copyrights for details.)

Print this page