Controversy Associated with Personality and Paraphilic Disorders

Personality disorders like Schizoid Personality Disorder have wide controversies surrounding them. Three common controversies surround these personality disorders. They include disagreements among scholars regarding ways of understanding these disorders; personality disorders often come with stigmatization, and there is no account for social contexts (Mind Charity Organization, 2019). First, scholars disagree because many individuals diagnosed with these disorders may not fall into a single category, and the diagnosis may reveal more than one disorder. Consequently, several scholars feel that the emphasis should focus on what every individual requires to face their difficulties and find alternative means of life rather than their categorization (Mind Charity Organization, 2019). Secondly, another controversy is that few social contexts are observed among these personality disorders. For example, various social contexts like poverty, racism, sexism, prejudice, social deprivation, homophobia, or culture change may play a part in personality disorders (Mind Charity Organization, 2019). Other social context examples include child neglect and abuse, traumatic experiences, and poor parenting experience. Lastly, stigmatization is another controversy surrounding personality disorders (Mind Charity Organization, 2019). For example, individuals may feel very upset and shameful for being labeled with a certain personality disorder, indicating something wrong about them and who they think they are or what they represent (Mind Charity Organization, 2019). Therefore, in the future, practitioners and scholars should find effective ways to address these controversies to deliver quality treatment, leading to positive health outcomes.

Professional Beliefs about the Disorder

Regarding my professional beliefs, I argue that every disease or disorder must fall into a category, as indicated in the DSM-5 manual, for easier diagnosing and treating the patients. Presenting with the problem (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Since mental health covers many manifestations relating to the differences in effects that patients witness, it is essential to categorize these personality disorders to have a quick reference for assessing clients’ symptoms (Greco, 2015). According to the DSM-5 manual, a schizoid personality disorder relates to a chronic tendency of alienation from and broad indifference to societal and interpersonal connections and a restricted spectrum of feelings in human interactions (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). In another research, the researchers found that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the most preferred treatment approach when working with schizoid personality disorders because CBT patients may learn and acquire social skills (Devany & Poerwandari, 2020). Therefore, through the above existing professional details, I believe that following the DSM-5 manual helps condense problems more easily and arrive at the final intervention described in these studies. For example, many people may associate this disorder with being naturally cold; however, through these professional studies and the DSM-5 manual, we now understand that such coldness may be a condition that needs immediate attention rather than judging based on societal norms.

Strategies for Maintaining Therapeutic Relationship with Patients

After applying the above professional beliefs supported by scientific evidence relating to helping clients with schizoid personality disorders, it would be essential to establish various strategies for maintaining therapeutic relationships with these patients. According to existing research, various strategies for maintaining therapeutic relationships with patients with mental illnesses or disorders increase trust, hope, respect, and gratitude (Pullen & Mathias, 2010). It is important o understand that efficient physical and verbal communication is crucial in connecting the health practitioner and patients, along with delivering treatment in a way that allows the patients to be active participants in reaching desired health outcomes. Therefore, some strategies when working with patients with schizoid personality disorder include establishing a rapport, keeping professional boundaries, and active listening, as proposed by Pullen and Mathias (2010). First, an introduction involving handshaking, name-mentioning, and using the clients’ names when conversing would be necessary to establish a rapport. Secondly, keeping professional boundaries would involve protecting and honoring the patient’s right to privacy by not doing things against their will, enhancing trust. Lastly, practicing active listening would be essential to understand all the patients’ problems and views. Thus, through the above strategies, these patients would develop trust, which is necessary for helping them achie