HordeKing1
07-10-2001, 03:35 PM
DISCLAIMER: A definitive diagnosis cannot be made without further information obtained during the course of a clinical work up performed by qualified mental health personnel. If you think you have any sort of problem, I urge you to consult your local psychologist, psychiatrist, social worker or psychoanalyst immediately.
Even a lay person, with no psychological training whatsoever, need only listen to Al Dukes on air for a few moments before realizing that something seems a little "off." Whether it is his flat monotonic cadence, lack of emotional response, or rather bizarre statements and behavior that first strikes you, the effect is to make one shake his or her head in baffled wonder.
Al does appear to have some form of personality disorder that contributes to his unconventional behavior. More specifically he seems to be afflicted with Schizoid Personality Disorder, as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Psychology - IV.
Schizoid Personality Disorder is described by the DSM as "a pervasive pattern of detachment from social relationships and a restricted range of expression of emotions in interpersonal settings beginning in early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts." Al certainly fits these baseline differential diagnostic criteria. However, in order for a definitive diagnosis to be made at least 4 of the following 7 criteria must be met.
1. Neither desires nor enjoys close relationships including being part of a family. (There's no desire for (or indifference to) non-sexual intimacy or developing close relationships. Little satisfaction is obtained from being part of a family or other social group.
--- Al Gave a $35 wedding gift to a relative! $35! This can be seen as a passive way to create a barrier to intimacy. Al can be certain that these relatives will not be inviting him to spend the holidays with them anytime soon. Further, as soon as the rest of Al's family learns of his gift, and they will, he will be ostracized by the entire Dukes clan.
2. Almost always chooses solitary activities (Prefers spending time alone rather than with other people. Can be socially isolated or loners who typically choose solitary activities or hobbies that do not involve interaction with others).
--- In a recent discussion on dodge ball, Al stated that he played "Indian Pin" dodge ball in school. No doubt he was forced to do so. However, Al was quick to point out that he was the kid who "hid in the back." This uncomfortableness with a team activity is not atypical for a person who prefers more solitary activities.
--- When someone is in the office that he doesn't know it throws him off. Again, this is hardly unusual for a person who does not like associating with others. He has his routine and the people he's used to. Any deviation becomes problematic.
--- Al also prefers engaging in solitary activities like cruising the Internet or playing computer games.
3. Has little, if any, interest in having sex w/another person
--- On numerous occasions and despite concrete opportunities, Al has never expressed any interest in having sex with any of the quite attractive and provocative guests. He has maintained that girls who have had excessive sex (i.e. more than zero) are somehow tainted and that he does not want to be with them. This behavior is certainly atypical of any person, let alone an adult male and can only be seen as a lack of desire to have sex and/or physical intimacy.
4. Takes pleasure in few if any activities (Reduced ability to experience pleasure from sensory, bodily, or interpersonal experiences such as having sex)
--- Although Al lives in the greatest city in the world, with the most things to do and places to see, he doesn't deviate from his routine of going from home to work then back to home. He hasn't done anything to take advantage of his location. Most probable reason is because he is not interested in doing so as it would not be pleasurable to him.
--- A short while ago, while Al went on a forced tour of the 5 boroughs, he was i
Even a lay person, with no psychological training whatsoever, need only listen to Al Dukes on air for a few moments before realizing that something seems a little "off." Whether it is his flat monotonic cadence, lack of emotional response, or rather bizarre statements and behavior that first strikes you, the effect is to make one shake his or her head in baffled wonder.
Al does appear to have some form of personality disorder that contributes to his unconventional behavior. More specifically he seems to be afflicted with Schizoid Personality Disorder, as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Psychology - IV.
Schizoid Personality Disorder is described by the DSM as "a pervasive pattern of detachment from social relationships and a restricted range of expression of emotions in interpersonal settings beginning in early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts." Al certainly fits these baseline differential diagnostic criteria. However, in order for a definitive diagnosis to be made at least 4 of the following 7 criteria must be met.
1. Neither desires nor enjoys close relationships including being part of a family. (There's no desire for (or indifference to) non-sexual intimacy or developing close relationships. Little satisfaction is obtained from being part of a family or other social group.
--- Al Gave a $35 wedding gift to a relative! $35! This can be seen as a passive way to create a barrier to intimacy. Al can be certain that these relatives will not be inviting him to spend the holidays with them anytime soon. Further, as soon as the rest of Al's family learns of his gift, and they will, he will be ostracized by the entire Dukes clan.
2. Almost always chooses solitary activities (Prefers spending time alone rather than with other people. Can be socially isolated or loners who typically choose solitary activities or hobbies that do not involve interaction with others).
--- In a recent discussion on dodge ball, Al stated that he played "Indian Pin" dodge ball in school. No doubt he was forced to do so. However, Al was quick to point out that he was the kid who "hid in the back." This uncomfortableness with a team activity is not atypical for a person who prefers more solitary activities.
--- When someone is in the office that he doesn't know it throws him off. Again, this is hardly unusual for a person who does not like associating with others. He has his routine and the people he's used to. Any deviation becomes problematic.
--- Al also prefers engaging in solitary activities like cruising the Internet or playing computer games.
3. Has little, if any, interest in having sex w/another person
--- On numerous occasions and despite concrete opportunities, Al has never expressed any interest in having sex with any of the quite attractive and provocative guests. He has maintained that girls who have had excessive sex (i.e. more than zero) are somehow tainted and that he does not want to be with them. This behavior is certainly atypical of any person, let alone an adult male and can only be seen as a lack of desire to have sex and/or physical intimacy.
4. Takes pleasure in few if any activities (Reduced ability to experience pleasure from sensory, bodily, or interpersonal experiences such as having sex)
--- Although Al lives in the greatest city in the world, with the most things to do and places to see, he doesn't deviate from his routine of going from home to work then back to home. He hasn't done anything to take advantage of his location. Most probable reason is because he is not interested in doing so as it would not be pleasurable to him.
--- A short while ago, while Al went on a forced tour of the 5 boroughs, he was i