#schizoid compromise

[schizoidvision]

Understanding Relationship Oscillation in Schizoid Dynamics

It's a pattern that can be as perplexing as it can be painful: someone enters into a relationship, draws close, then abruptly pulls away, leaving a trail of confusion and often heartache. This 'push-pull' or 'in and out' pattern of behavior, often observed in individuals with schizoid personality dynamics, is a means of managing intimacy and distance. What triggers this oscillation in and out of relationships, and how does it function as a defense mechanism?

The schizoid personality is characterized by a longstanding pattern of detachment from social relationships and a limited range of expressed emotions during interpersonal interactions. Those with schizoid tendencies often describe an inner experience of feeling like observers rather than participants in the world around them. Yet, even for individuals who navigate life with these challenges, the human need for some kind of connection can beckon them into relationships despite their guarded self.

Triggers for Oscillation

For individuals with schizoid dynamics, several triggers can prompt the retreat from closeness:

1. Emotional Intensity: Intimacy demands vulnerability. When a relationship deepens to the point of emotional intensity, it can go outside of their realms of emotional capacity and comfort zone.

2. Fear of Enmeshment: Closeness can be misconstrued as being consumed by the other’s needs or emotions. For a schizoid individual, protecting their autonomy is paramount, and the blurred lines of intense relationships can signal a loss of self.

3. Perceived Expectations: The sense that a partner expects more emotionally than what feels safe to give can trigger withdrawal. The pressure to express feelings that are not readily accessible can be overwhelming.

4. Negative Emotional Expressions: Encountering a partner's negative emotions, especially if directed towards changing the schizoid individual’s behavior, can be a catalyst for pulling away. It can feel like an invasion, prompting a return to the safety of solitude.

5. Relationship Milestones: Moments that signify increased commitment, such as moving in together, can act as triggers. These milestones represent a deepening of emotional bonds that can feel suffocating.

The Defense Mechanism of Relationship Oscillation

The back-and-forth of relationship engagement serves multiple defensive functions for a person with schizoid tendencies:

1. Safety in Solitude: Retreating to a place of solitude can be a sanctuary from the perceived dangers of emotional vulnerability. It's a return to a controlled environment where the unpredictability of emotional intimacy is absent.

2. Autonomy Preservation: By withdrawing, the schizoid individual reasserts their independence. It's a reminder to themselves and others that they are not beholden to the emotional tides of relationships.

3. Regulation of Emotional Intensity: Oscillating allows for a modulation of emotional intensity. It's a way to ensure that emotions remain at a manageable level, never tipping into the realms of overwhelming.

4. Avoidance of Painful Rejection: If there's an underlying expectation of eventual rejection or disappointment, withdrawal can be preemptive. It's a control measure—better to leave than to be left in a state of vulnerability.

5. Compartmentalization: By keeping relationships at arm's length, schizoid individuals can compartmentalize their emotional life. This separation allows them to engage in relationships on their own terms, with the option to disconnect as needed.

In Summary...

Understanding the triggers and defensive functions of oscillation in relationships for schizoid individuals does not necessarily mitigate the difficulty for either party involved. However, it does provide a framework for understanding. For those with schizoid dynamics, recognizing these patterns is the first step toward growth. With increased awareness and therapeutic support, it may be possible to discover ways to navigate these triggers more effectively and find a balance that allows for healthier, more stable relationships.

This complex interplay between the need for solitude and the human desire for connection is a delicate balance, often fraught with challenges. But within it lies the potential for understanding, growth, and ultimately, a form of connection that honors both the need for individuality and the inherent value of relationships.

Video From My YouTube Channel: 5 Ways Schizoids Avoid Intimate Relationships

[hetlesbian]

Vent about making friends + loneliness

Making friends feels like being forced to give myself to someone else. Compromises and sacrifices dont feel worth it, I dont expect anyone to ever reciprocate it, so I dont want to try anymore. Now I want to let everyone else make the first move. You really have to be persistent with showing me you care about me, you have to make an effort to really make me feel welcome and included. I wont settle for anything less but I guess thats asking for too much. I find that a lot of schizoids “settle” for random people who even hurt them just because theyre lonely. Ive done it before. It just feels like nobody is “good enough” for me anymore, and if they are, they are disinterested in me. I would rather wait and let good come to me when God wants it to instead of desperately seeking it out everywhere. Atp, if you want me, come and get me. And I really do hope someone finds me at least before I die

There are a lot of people who shame me for being lonely and “not even trying”. But Ive tried so many times and it’s exhausting, it isnt worth the effort. I want someone who will show me how important I am to them, that they want to talk to me specifically, but of course I guess Im too bland and “not all there”. And so Im left being someone’s second choice or last choice or not even a choice at all. Friendship feels like competing with a bunch of other people to get someone to pay attention to you.

I dont bring the same things to a friendship that other people do. I feel like my companionship is more mature(?) in a way, slower to grow but I’d always be patient, consistent and reliable. I dont know how to just jump into a friendship and start making sacrifices for someone without the feeling that Im wasting resources (energy/time) for no reason.

[compassionatereminders]

the typical ones like thorazine and haldol can be some nasty stuff and rarely used, mostly in emergency settings via injection. they prefer to use the atypical ones now even then. daily doses of these have increased risk of side effects and there’s a reason they prefer the newer ones. clozapine (the first atypical) i found to be pretty bad too, though.

i have schizoid, but was misdiagnosed with schizophrenia, and now they’re no longer recommended for schizoid, either. that’s because it’s a disorder compromised of negative symptoms. i had PTSD-related psychosis and another disorder that led to the misdx, so these would help that then just make me sick, and they’d simply keep increasing the dose to treat the other symptoms. which can fail in people with schizophrenia for these symptoms too, not sure if you’ve had this experience but many schizophrenics i’ve talked to have, but ymmv.

seroquel was super sedating, particularly when i was only 16 being given it, but to me not the worst. overused, maybe.

Yeah and it's worth noting that even when they work in the context of schizophrenia, they ONLY actually treat 1/3rd of the illness, aka the psychosis/"positive" symptoms. The other two major symptoms groups, known as the cognitive and negative symptoms, are either made worse by antipsychotics or at best not improved by them.

[titoist]

SzPD is a poorly studied disorder, and there is little clinical data on SzPD because it is rarely encountered in clinical settings. Studies have generally reported a prevalence of less than 1%.[3][8][23] It is more commonly diagnosed in males than in females.[8] SzPD is linked to negative outcomes, including a significantly compromised quality of life, reduced overall functioning even after 15 years, and one of the lowest levels of "life success" of all personality disorders (measured as "status, wealth and successful relationships").[5][24][25] Bullying is particularly common towards schizoid individuals.[26][27] Suicide may be a running mental theme for schizoid individuals, though they are not likely to attempt it.[28] Some symptoms of SzPD (e.g. solitary lifestyle, emotional detachment, loneliness, and impaired communication), however, have been stated as general risk factors for serious suicidal behavior.[29][30]

Other people often seem strange and incomprehensible to a person with SzPD. Reality can feel unenjoyable and uninteresting to people with SzPD. They have difficulty finding motivation and lack ambition[113][153][154] Patients with SzPD often feel as if they are "going through the motions" or that "life passes them by."[6][155][156] Many describe feeling as if they are observing life from a distance.[157] Aaron Beck and his colleagues report that people with SzPD seem comfortable with their aloof lifestyle and consider themselves observers, rather than participants in the world around them. But they also mention that many of their schizoid patients recognize themselves as socially deviant (or even defective) when confronted with the different lives of ordinary people – especially when they read books or see movies focusing on relationships. Even when schizoid individuals may not long for closeness, they can become weary of being "on the outside, looking in". These feelings may lead to depression, depersonalization, or derealization.[119][6][59] If they do, schizoid people often experience feeling "like a robot" or "going through life in a dream".[158] People with SzPD may try to avoid all physical activity in order to become nobody and disconnect from reality. This can lead to the patient spending a large quantity of time sleeping and ignoring bodily functions such as hygiene.[59]

[schizoid-mary]

What Fits, What Doesn't: Taking Stock

For this post I'm taking text/bulletpoints/descriptions from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schizoid_personality_disorder, from the top of the article to the bottom (because I can't explain things any better), and doing a (very long) yes/no checklist of symptoms/traits/qualities (which I'll further expound on in later posts):

"... a lack of interest in social relationships..."

YES

"... a tendency towards a solitary or sheltered lifestyle..."

YES

secretiveness

YES

emotional coldness

YES

detachment

YES

"... may be unable to form intimate attachments to others..."

YES

stilted speech

YES

"... a lack of deriving enjoyment from most activities..."

YES

"... a degree of asexuality"

YES

"... an inability to tolerate emotional expectations of others..."

YES

"... idiosyncratic moral or political beliefs..."

YES (and I'm adding spiritual beliefs and superstitions to this)

"... difficult to distinguish SzPD from other mental disorders or conditions (such as autism spectrum disorder, with which it may sometimes overlap)..."

YES

"... SzPD is linked to negative outcomes, including a significantly compromised quality of life... and one of the lowest levels of "life success" of all personality disorders (measured as "status, wealth and successful relationships")..."

YES

"... Bullying is particularly common towards schizoid individuals..."

YES

"... Suicide may be a running mental theme for schizoid individuals, though they are not likely to attempt it..."

YES

quietness

YES

reservedness

YES

seriousness

YES

eccentricity

YES

timidity

NO

shyness with feelings

NO

sensitivity

YES

nervousness

YES

excitability

YES

fondness of nature and books

YES

pliability

NO

kindliness

YES

honesty

YES

indifference

YES

silence

YES

cold emotional attitudes

YES

"... the majority of schizoids are not either oversensitive or cold, but they are oversensitive and cold "at the same time" in quite different relative proportions, with a tendency to move along these dimensions from one behavior to the other..."

YES

"... the need to regulate interpersonal distance as a central focus of concern..."

YES

"... the ability to mobilize self-preservative defenses and self-reliance..."

YES

"... a pervasive tension between the anxiety-laden need for attachment and the defensive need for distance that manifests in observable behavior as indifference..."

YES

inability to express aggressive feelings

NO

"... autistic thinking... updated definition to include daydreaming, detachment from reality, and sensitivity..."

YES

"... A University of Colorado Colorado Springs study comparing personality disorders and Myers–Briggs Type Indicator types found that the disorder had a significant correlation with the Introverted (I) and Thinking (T) preferences..."

YES

"... neglectful, and distant parenting contribute to the onset of SzPD... their parents likely were intolerant of their emotional experiences. They may have been forced to... compartmentalize their emotions, possibly resulting in the onset of difficulties expressing and processing emotional experiences. These difficulties lead to the child... developing the belief that the only safe environment is one where they are alone and inexpressive..."

YES

"... People with SzPD may... have internalized the belief that their emotions are dangerous to themselves and others due to the negative responses received from others..."

YES

"... In their status of isolation and emotional bluntness they can be self-sufficient and safe..."

YES

childhood trauma

YES

alcoholism in parent(s)

YES

"... Genetic relationships with people who have schizophrenia spectrum disorders increase the risk of developing schizoid personality disorder..."

YES

prenatal malnutrition

YES

"... It is common for people with SzPD to have had major depressive disorder in childhood..."

YES

"... often exclusively choose to participate in solitary activities..."

YES

"... People with schizoid personality disorder typically have no close friends or confidants, except for a close relative on occasions..."

YES

"... may be averse to social situations due to difficulties deriving pleasure from physical or emotional sensations, rather than social anhedonia..."

YES

"... are often independent and turn to themselves as sources of validation..."

YES

"... tend to be the happiest when in relationships in which their partner places few emotional or intimate demands on them and does not expect phatic or social niceties..."

YES YES YES

"... want to avoid... negative or positive emotional expectations, emotional intimacy, and self-disclosure..."

YES

"... can form relationships with others based on intellectual, physical, familial, occupational, or recreational activities, as long as there is no need for emotional intimacy..."

YES

"... schizoid individuals "prefer to make relationships on their own terms and not in terms of the impulses of other people. Failing to attain that, they prefer isolation..."

YES YES YES

"... friendship among schizoids is usually limited to one person..."

YES

"... people with SzPD are at a higher risk of facing... homelessness..."

YES

"... little interest in sexual or romantic acts. They rarely date or marry..."

YES

"... Sex often causes individuals with SzPD to feel that their personal space is being violated, and they commonly feel that masturbation or sexual abstinence is preferable..."

Masturbation: NO, abstinence: YES.

"... Significantly broadening this picture are notable exceptions of SzPD individuals who engage in occasional or even frequent sexual activities with others..."

In the past: YES, currently: NO

"... Individuals with SzPD have long been noted to have an increased rate of unconventional sexual tendencies, though if present, these are rarely acted upon..."

YES

"... Sensory or emotional experiences typically provide little enjoyment for people with SzPD..."

YES

"... They rarely display strong emotions or react to anything..."

YES

"... can have difficulty expressing themselves..."

NO

"... difficulty understanding others' emotions and social cues..."

Others would say YES. I say NO (I understand perfectly, I just act obtuse to discourage people from sharing their emotions with me).

"... It can be hard for people with SzPD to assess the impact of their actions in social situations..."

YES

"... may feel inadequate..."

YES

"... are often indifferent towards criticism or praise..."

YES

"appear distant, aloof, or uncaring to others..."

YES

"... Expressing themselves can make them feel shame or discomfort..."

YES

"... difficulties understanding one's own emotions..."

NO

"... people with SzPD may possess a hidden sense of superiority and lack dependence on other people's opinions..."

YES

"... Unlike the narcissist, the schizoid will often keep their creations private to avoid unwelcome attention or the feeling that their ideas and thoughts are being appropriated by the public..."

YES

"... When forced to rely on others a person with SzPD may feel panic or terror..."

YES

"... often feel unreal, empty..."

YES

"tend to perceive themselves as fundamentally different from others..."

YES

"... can believe that they are fundamentally unlikeable..."

NO

"... Other people often seem strange and incomprehensible to a person with SzPD..."

YES

"... Reality can feel unenjoyable and uninteresting to people with SzPD..."

YES

"... difficulty finding motivation and lack ambition... often feel as if they are "going through the motions" or that "life passes them by..."

YES

"... comfortable with their aloof lifestyle and consider themselves observers, rather than participants in the world around them..."

YES

"... many... recognize themselves as socially deviant (or even defective) when confronted with the different lives of ordinary people..."

YES

"... often experience feeling "like a robot..."

NO (although I've been referred to as such).

"... may try to avoid all physical activity in order to become nobody and disconnect from reality..."

NO

"... This can lead to spending a large quantity of time sleeping and ignoring bodily functions such as hygiene..."

NO

"... may engage in excessive daydreaming and introspection... Real life can become secondary to their fantasy, and they can have complex lives and relationships which exist entirely inside of their internal fantasy..."

YES

"... Common themes in their internal fantasies are omnipotence and grandiosity..."

YES

"... people with SzPD are helpless at many practical activities because of their symptoms..."

YES

"... the anhedonia of SzPD may also cover eating, leading schizoid individuals to not enjoy it. Alternatively... schizoid individuals may not feel hunger as strongly as others or not respond to it, a certain withdrawal "from themselves"..."

NO

"... substance abusers who showed schizoid symptoms were more likely to abuse one substance rather than many..."

YES

"... more likely to use alcohol or cannabis alone than for social disinhibition..."

NO

"... Antidepressants, SSRIs, anxiolitics, bupropion, modafinil, benzodiazepines, electrocardiography, and biofeedback may... be effective treatments..."

YES to modafinil, NO to the rest.

"... Many schizoid individuals display an engaging, interactive personality, contradicting the observable characteristic... definitions of the schizoid personality..."

YES

"... secret schizoids"... behave with socially available, interested, engaged, and involved interaction yet remain emotionally withdrawn and sequestered within the safety of the internal world..."

YES

"... the schizoid individual can express a great deal of feeling and make what appear to be impressive social contacts yet, in reality, gives nothing and loses nothing. Because they are "playing a part", their personality is not involved..."

YES

"... the schizoid individual seeks to preserve their personality intact and immune from compromise. The schizoid's false persona is based on what those around them define as normal or good behavior, as a form of compliance..."

YES

*** I'm really surprised the article doesn't touch upon low empathy in individuals with SzPD, because that bulletpoint would get a YES YES YES from me. I used to suspect that I was a sociopath (I know now that I'm not) or suffered from mild ASPD (Antisocial Personality Disorder) because I had no other points of reference and sociopathy or ASPD seemed like the closest fit (due to how low my level of empathy is). But more about that later.

[writer59january13]

Gloriously luxuriating in eternal sleep...

versus being alive predicated victory videre licet lunatic if Trump trumped Kamala Harris and stole 2024 presidential election, (whereat Musk bribed significant number of voters handing out wads of cash) courtesy underhanded modus operandi and devious and sinister schemes. Forlorn; bereft of golden (slippered) opportunities I weep; Three score and five years replete with mailer daemons, hence mindset adrip with self denouncing expletive filled bleep unwritten expressed recriminations wielded upon figurative head of wimpy blip; decades elapsed at light speed clip

as the world turned days of mein kampf exhibited slow psychologically torturous analogous intravenous slow drip during emerging adulthood approximately half life of mine, when yours truly painstakingly besotted with unrequited love accursed extreme introvertedness severely hobbled coping ability

still reeling after being scammed gobs of greenbacks approximately sixteen months ago gifted at birth with congenital weakness such as being gullible to ruthless conartists mama's boy lacked ways and means integrating himself among peers: no supportive services to equip shy lonely lad devoid of fellowship even as grown man lost in space whereat

maximum head room cramped with obsessive compulsive thoughts social services slated for chopping block if Project 2025 implemented and if father or mother were alive they would flip at the course of political divisiveness sowed by MAGA onymous nasty brute, where palmar hyperhidrosis affected slippery grip

in tandem with being diminutive aiming to experience childhood's end forever son of a gun flailed with dating later in life analogous to psyche subjected to fracking compromising, forsaking, and issuing counter productively undermining potential heterosexual relationships invariably shooting from the hip. Nine different prescription medications allow umpteen combinations to yield against bombardment that fate doth wield delivered, signed and sealed courtesy the grim reaper able, eager, ready and willing to maneuver across pitted minefield accessing exiled soul whisking vis a vis grim reaper same to idyllic place named Edenfield. Oftimes methinks how cessation to breathe spirit buoyed aloft, where garlands wreath to escape hell on Earth, where neurosis and psychosis seethe within mine sixty plus five shades of crumbling sheet rock think scree ming atrophying gray matter symbiotically, dramatically, and alphabetically flourishing at expense of sanity case in point being

anxiety/ panic attacks obsessive compulsive behavior,

schizoid personality disorder,

long in the tooth fellow

his sustenance similar to pablum constituting imperial diet of worms of the Holy Roman Empire - called by Emperor Charles V fit for grown baby,

especially when removing dentures

cuz he must resort to eat soft foods

unless by some miracle I teethe for the third time. Homegrown destructive force muscles, tussles, wrestles,

et cetera within me likened to (but separate from) Intifada, (thus no insinuation this wordsmith linkedin to any militant group) grips mine soul asylum,

a recalcitrant doppelganger within windmills of my mind doth insidiously, poisonously,

and unpleasantly drum

palpably affecting writer of these words to feel glum. No respite whether I repose in deep slumber or lightly awake inescapable melancholic woes

haunts these lonely bones,

whereby system of the down houses reticent persona constituent feature characterized courtesy anhedonia

linkedin with passive suicidal ideation

accentuated when severe crisis erupt analogous to smoldering volcano. Fortunate for me the missus keenly aware plus (despite every now and again contention between us),

she makes crystal clear communicating her displeasure mixed with genuine fear bantering deadpanning facetiously gallows humor I half heartedly asseverate gibberish spouting jargoneer gravely alarms wife helpless to orienteer

conversation away from my demise, thus figuratively switch horses

in mid stream and jockey

to calm her down and lightning verbal exchange by undressing from the waist down revealing laughing stock of skinny legs (easily mistaken for spindleshanks) poking thru underwear charging on imaginary steed

feigning being loco despite NOT smoking weed,

energetic cavorting courtesy

nursing high test coffee, nevertheless ineffective battling fatigue despite flitting to and fro, hither and yon bumbling along (skeletal) joints of mine smoking hot suddenly after sipping strong brew,

I temporarily shuck off lethargy

long enough break to out dancing while simultaneously overtaken

to sing a song of sixpence while wings flutter at the speed of sound buzzfeed appetite for consumption Ecclesiastical History of the English People, one of our best-written sources for early English history authored by Venerable Bede.

[dividedego]

The Schizoid Reality Wall; or, Welcome to the Void

This is a concept I first saw explained by SchizoidAngst on youtube (pretty relatable content in case yall tumblr zoids havent discovered him yet) but I've wanted to write this down in my own words, the way I conceptualize it, so I did that. Maybe theres something useful here for someone else, so I'm sharing.

Obligatory I'm not a psychologist, yada yada

As the “true” self in schizoids becomes separate from the rest of the psyche, (in some cases masked with a false persona as a form of compromise with the external world, ie. “secret” schizoids), it is turned away from the concrete physical world and towards the abstract. This more or less means it’s actually possible for schizoids to feel deeply intimate connections comfortably, if these connections are formed on higher levels of abstraction – ie. abstraction itself becomes a vehicle for connection. This also leads to what Akhtar has named ‘idiosyncratic thinking’, or odd thinking.

Example of concrete vs. abstract: I tell Bob a personal opinion about something, and Bob has a bad reaction to it, tells me I’m a disgusting person, and refuses to talk to me further. A neurotypical person would be upset about the immediate interpersonal reality of that situation – ‘oh no, Bob thinks I’m a disgusting person.’ Schizoids, if they get upset at all, instead tend to get upset because the situation reminded them of an abstract phenomenon which they have a hard time dealing with – ‘oh no, some people take opinions seriously to the point that they are willing to cut others out of their life instead of coming to some sort of mutual understanding or compromise, which gets in the way of problem-solving or beneficial discourse, something that should be everybody’s primary concern.’ Out there? Yeah, but that's kind of the point.

Neurotypical signals of affection lose meaning and feel empty because they can’t connect to the repressed/abstract self. If a consistent demand is put on the schizoid to meet what they see as superficial expressions of affection, they can get feelings of being forced to play a role which is psychologically demanding to keep up with yet yields next to no emotional rewards and satisfies none of their actual needs.

Adding to this, when schizoids then attempt to communicate their own needs or to express abstract, existential feelings, they’re more often than not met with misunderstanding, ridicule, neglect, and dismissal. The schizoid’s thinking is treated as being too abstract to have any real bearing on reality, whereas to the schizoid themself sees it as integral to reality. This happens with family, friends, coworkers, partners, as well as medical professionals/psychologists – it is a near universal phenomenon.

This culminates in the schizoid reality wall – the core difficulty in actually connecting to other people.

Essentially, the feeling for schizoids is that they often try to meet others on the terms of those others, ie. through concrete and grounded conversations, but that nobody does or even tries to do the same for them. This leads to feelings of futility, hopelessness, animosity, and a stronger need and desire to self-isolate.

You’re reminded of that barrier [all the time]. You’re reminded of the reality of your situation, which is: They can’t hear me. And I can’t hear them. And I’m trying to hear them, and I’m trying to listen – but no one is trying to listen to me. So why should I keep trying? What purpose does it serve? [...] It's not magical thinking that's occuring here, it's well-thought-out thinking that is being placed against a backdrop of a world that is telling you, 'No. No, that thinking is not the right thinking.'

- from this

Which is where we reach the Void.

[m-grouped]

MILLON'S SUBTYPES [ OCPD EDITION ]

Note: all definitions are taken directly from Millon's writings, which are quite old, with only a few edits and rephrasings to make things more digestible to a modern audience.

📃 The Conscientious Compulsive — Often view themselves as helpful, co-operative, and compromising. They downplay their achievements and abilities and base their confidence on the opinions and expectations of others; this compensates for their feelings of insecurity and instability. They assume that devotion to work and striving for perfection will lead to them receiving love and reassurance. They believe that making a mistake or not achieving perfection will lead to abandonment and criticism. This mindset causes perpetual feelings of anxiety and an inability to appreciate their work.

▐ has dependent traits

📃 The Puritanical Compulsive — They have strong internal impulses that are countered vociferously through the use of religion or other belief. They are constantly battling their impulses and sexual drives, which they view as irrational. They attempt to purify and pacify the urges by adopting a cold and detached lifestyle. They create an enemy which they use to vent their hostility, such as "non-believers", or "lazy people". They are patronizing, bigoted, and zealous in their attitude toward others. Their beliefs are polarized into "good" and "evil".

▐ has paranoid traits

📃 The Bureaucratic Compulsive — They are champions of tradition, values, and bureaucracy. They cherish organizations that follow hierarchies and feel comforted by definitive roles between subordinates and superiors, and the known expectations and responsibilities. They derive their identity from work and project an image of diligence, reliability, and commitment to their institution. They view work and productivity in a polarized manner; either done or not. They may use their power and status to inflict fear and obedience in their subordinates if they do not strictly follow their rules and procedures, and derive pleasure from the sense of control and power that they acquire by doing so.

▐ has narcissistic traits

📃 The Parsimonious Compulsive — They are selfish, miserly, and are suspicious of others' intentions, believing that others may take away their possessions. This attitude may be caused by parents who deprived their child of wants or wishes but provided necessities, causing the child to develop an extreme protective approach to their belongings, often being self-sufficient and distant from others. They use this shielding behavior to prevent having their urges, desires, and imperfections discovered.

▐ has schizoid traits

📃 The Bedevilled Compulsive — When faced with dilemmas, they procrastinate and attempt to stall the decision through any means. They are in a constant battle between their desires and will, and may engage in self-defeating behavior and self-torture in order to resolve the internal conflict. Their identity is unstable, and they are indecisive.

▐ has negativistic traits

More of Millon's subtypes:

[ASPD] [AVPD] [BPD] [DPD] [DPPD]

[HPD] [OCPD] [PPD] [NGPD] [NPD]

[SADP] [SDPD] [STPD] [SZPD] [TPD]

[schizoidvision]

The Schizoid Dilemma vs The Schizoid Compromise: A Basic Overview

The term 'schizoid' might evoke various assumptions or misunderstandings for many. It's essential to clarify that schizoid dynamics are not equivalent to schizophrenia, but rather pertain to a particular set of personality traits and patterns. Central to understanding the lived experience of individuals who experience these dynamics are two interconnected concepts: the 'schizoid dilemma' and the 'schizoid compromise'. Let's delve deep into these concepts and their implications.

1. What Exactly is The Schizoid Dilemma?

The schizoid dilemma refers to a deep-rooted internal conflict typical of those with schizoid traits, the main aspects are:

Desire for Connection

Contrary to their apparent detachment, many individuals with schizoid dynamics harbor deep-seated desire for interpersonal connection with another person, or shared intimacy.

Apprehension of Closeness

The desire for intimate connection is shadowed by an acute apprehension of being close to, or intimate with, another person. This apprehension may stem either from past traumas or their intrinsic personality traits, which may bring forth deep fears related to being in a close relationship, like concerns about being engulfed by the other person, or loss of their self, identity, or autonomy.

These contradictory feelings produce an underlying conflict, leading to the characteristic emotional aloofness seen in schizoid individuals as a defense mechanism.

2. The Schizoid Compromise Explained

The term "schizoid compromise" refers to the way individuals with SPD manage their inherent conflicts between wanting closeness and fearing it. To compromise, they adopt a middle ground. They may opt to maintain superficial relationships, thus avoiding deep emotional connection with another person. It is a way to stay related and not completely cut off from the world. This 'compromise' serves as a protective defense against their fear of intimacy, defenses remain in place that obstruct interpersonal communication, yet they are still able to maintain some level of societal connection. Forming superficial connections means that they are not entirely isolated, but still free from deeper emotional ties.

3. Implications of the Schizoid Dilemma and Compromise in Daily Life

Relationships: Schizoid individuals may appear indifferent or aloof in relationships, often avoid deep emotional entanglements, leading others to perceive them as distant or uncaring. They may oscillate in and out of relationships, with continuous or intermittent phases of indifference others (due to their defense mechanisms). These behaviours can cause confusion, hurt, or misunderstandings with partners, friends, and family.

Career: In the workspace, schizoid individuals may gravitate towards roles that limit interpersonal demands. While they can thrive in independent tasks, jobs that involve a high degree of teamwork or emotionally driven roles may prove challenging.

Mental Health: The ongoing internal struggle can lead to feelings of isolation, depressive episodes, and anxiety. Moreover, the nature of schizoid dynamics and the defense mechanisms that are in place for self-protection may prevent individuals from seeking help or even recognizing that there is an underlying conflict associated with engaging in close relationships.

In Summary:

The schizoid compromise and dilemma are instrumental in recognizing the depth of some of the internal struggles involved within schizoid dynamics. By shining a light on these aspects of schizoid functioning, we may potentially pave the way for enriching relationships by way of deeper insight, better tailoring mental health support, and educating the broader society about different relationship dynamics and the various ways in which individuals may socially operate within the world.

Video From My Youtube Channel: Schizoid Fear of Engulfment - In Depth Analysis

[xylophonetangerine]

Just reread the Wikipedia article on schizoid personality disorder and I'm not diagnosing myself but I do recognise myself there quite a bit. And, boy, let me tell you, the following passage does not make me enthused:

SzPD is linked to negative outcomes, including a significantly compromised quality of life, reduced overall functioning even after 15 years and one of the lowest levels of "life success" of all personality disorders (measured as "status, wealth and successful relationships").

[tf2butverygaywithart]

I'm on a quest to find my Government Tumblr Assigned TF2 character. this is #2

I do not describe my looks because it doesn't matter.

I am strictly asexual. I do not like to be touched in any way, shape, or form. I am not a nice person and I am not a mean person, I am whatever person I want to be at that moment because I don't have much of an identity, because who needs it? Uh, shit, I forgot what I was saying-I do that a lot. I like plants vs. zombies though because it is the greatest game ever invented. My therapist says I have similarities with people that have schizoid personality disorder, so essentially, I do not crave romantic or platonic relationships. I do not care to be around anyone, but I like being in the midst of goofy shit. I will be around people just fine, but I don't see a point in talking more than i have to, but sometimes if i'm particularly annoyed or interested by something, I will engage a conversation about it

I like the most deplorable horror imaginable. I do not watch it, but I like to learn. I like music, cult classics, cats, plants vs. zombies, mad science, and psychology, this includes playing a therapist role because that implies I will know lots of things and I will not be close with the person. I dislike incompetence and being patronized. I am not easily angered, but I am easily annoyed.

I hope I did not write too much. I like sentences. Even though I told about my possible disorder, it would be nice if this was /r(/romantic) rather than platonic. Thank you.

let me be straight pragmatic here at the start, I read this and my first thought was medic and the second was sniper

Medic: Medic and you get along well, both not partial to physical contact makes the relationship easy, no compromise on that, you both enjoy some company while doing your own things and can have some conversation on the subjects you are knowledgeable in, the term love is used softly here, he does care deeply for you and you both have an understanding of what that is

Sniper: Honestly you comfort him, both of you like to being in general company and he enjoys watching Solider and Scout cause stupid shit from afar, he is hesitant on the love sort of thing but will show it in actions like listen to you talk about the things you enjoy and in turn he talks about animals and plants, he might give you a few hugs or light touches here and there but overall respects the fact you rather not be touched

uh, hopefully you got what you where looking for Anon?

[yantableofcontentsdere]

❥Mᴀsᴛᴇʀʟɪsᴛ

Lᴀsᴛ ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇᴅ ➪ November 26th, 2020

Part ½ ➔ link to - 2/2 -

Shorts Masterlist ➔ here

Bane | Prompts 12 and 24

Bruce Wayne | Love Letter 

Damian Wayne ft Tim Drake | Short Headcanons #1

Damian Wayne ft Tim Drake | Short Headcanons #2

Damian Wayne | Prompts K L and Y (alphabet)

Deathstroke | General Headcanons

Deathstroke | platonic letter

Dick Grayson | Love Letter ➔ 1

Dick Grayson | Love Letter ➔ 2

Green Lantern corps (HUMAN) | Rankings ➔ best - worst

Green Lantern corps (HUMAN) | Reverse Harem

Green Lantern corps (HUMAN) | What’s compromise?

Guy Gardner | General Romantic Headcanons

Hal Jordan | Prompts A D and L (alphabet)

Jason Todd | Arkham Knight Headcanons

Jason Todd | Arkham Knight Kidnapping Headcanons

Jason Todd | Outlaw Headcanons  

Jason Todd | Prompts 6 and 22

Jason Todd | Tarot Cards ➔ The Hanged Man, The Tower, the Devil, and The Hermit

Kate Kane | General Headcanons

kate Kane | Prompts  B, G and R (alphabet)

Kate Kane | Tarot Cards ➔ full

Klarion The Witch Boy | Platonic Headcanons

Roy Harper | Domestic headcanons #1

Roy Harper | Domestic headcanons #2

Roy Harper | General headcanons

Roy Harper | Love Letter #1

Roy Harper | Love Letter #2

Scarecrow | Schizoid Darling Headcanons

Tim Drake ft Damian Wayne | Short Headcanons #1

Tim Drake ft Damian Wayne | Short Headcanons #2

Tim Drake | Sugar Daddy Headcanons

Tim Drake | Tarot Cards ➔  The Devil, The High Priestess and Strength

Tim Drake | Tarot Cards ➔ Wheel of Fortune and The World

Two Face | Platonic headcanons

Alucard | Cho’s dampire headcanons

Alucard | General Headcanons

Azula | Fire Lord Headcanons

Zuko | Prompt 15

Yet to be written…

Giorno Giovanna | Tarot Cards ➔ Death, Temperance, The World, and The Devil

Jolyne Cujoh | Prompts A, F, M, T (alphabet)

Bill with a herbivore Darling Headcanons

Brief Headcanons for multiple characters | Part 1 and 2

Gohin | General Headcanons

Legoshi | General Headcanons

Louis | Prompts A, F and N (alphabet)

Yet to be written…

Yet to be written…

Heartslabyul | Brief Headcanons

Savanaclaw | Brief Headcanons

Yet to be written…

[writer59january13]

Gloriously luxuriating in eternal sleep

Forlorn; bereft of golden (slippered) opportunities I weep; Three score and four years replete with mailer daemons, hence mindset adrip with self denouncing expletive filled bleep unwritten expressed recriminations wielded upon figurative head of wimpy blip; decades elapsed at light speed clip as the world turned days of mein kampf exhibited slow psychologically torturous analogous intravenous slow drip during emerging adulthood approximately half life of mine, when yours truly painstakingly besotted with unrequited love accursed extreme introvertedness severely hobbled coping ability gifted at birth with congenital weakness mama's boy lacked ways and means integrating himself among peers,

no supportive services to equip shy lonely lad devoid of fellowship palmar hyperhidrosis affected slippery grip in tandem with being diminutive aiming to experience childhood's end forever son of a gun flailed with dating later in life compromising, forsaking, and issuing counter productively undermining potential heterosexual relationships invariably shooting from the hip. Eight different prescription medications allow umpteen combinations to yield against bombardment that fate doth wield delivered, signed and sealed courtesy the grim reaper able, eager, ready and willing to maneuver across pitted minefield accessing exiled soul whisking same to idyllic place named Edenfield. Oftimes methinks how cessation to breathe spirit buoyed aloft, where garlands wreath to escape hell on Earth, where neurosis and psychosis seethe within mine sixty plus shades of gray matter symbiotically flourishing at expense of sanity case in point being: anxiety/ panic attacks obsessive compulsive behavior,

schizoid personality disorder,

long in the tooth fellow

his sustenance similar to pablum constituting imperial diet of worms of the Holy Roman Empire - called by Emperor Charles V fit for grown baby,

especially when removing dentures

cuz he must resort to eat soft foods

unless by some miracle I teethe for the second time. Homegrown destructive force muscles, tussles, wrestles,

et cetera within me likened to (but separate from) Intifada, (thus no insinuation this wordsmith linkedin to any militant group) grips mine soul asylum,

a recalcitrant doppelganger within windmills of my mind doth insidiously, poisonously,

and unpleasantly drum

palpably affecting writer of these words to feel glum. No respite whether I repose in deep slumber or lightly awake inescapable melancholic woes

haunts these lonely bones,

whereby system of the down houses reticent persona constituent feature characterized courtesy anhedonia

linkedin with passive suicidal ideation

accentuated when severe crisis erupt analogous to smoldering volcano. Fortunate for me the missus keenly aware plus (despite every now and again contention between us),

she makes crystal clear communicating her displeasure mixed with genuine fear bantering deadpanning facetiously gallows humor I half heartedly asseverate gibberish spouting jargoneer gravely alarms wife helpless to orienteer

conversation away from my demise, thus figuratively switch horses

in mid stream and jockey

to calm her down and lightening verbal exchange by undressing from the waist down revealing laughing stock of skinny legs (easily mistaken for spindleshanks) poking thru underwear charging on imaginary steed

feigning being loco despite NOT smoking weed,

energetic cavorting courtesy

nursing high test coffee, nevertheless ineffective battling fatigue despite flitting to and fro, hither and yon bumbling along (skeletal) joints of mine smoking hot suddenly after sipping strong brew,

I temporarily shuck off lethargy

long enough break to out dancing while simultaneously overtaken

to sing a song of sixpence while wings flutter at the speed of sound buzzfeed appetite for consumption Ecclesiastical History of the English People, one of our best-written sources for early English history authored by Venerable Bede.

[theinsatiables]

21st Century Schizoid Man: "Unfriended" and New Tech Horror

The scares of Dark Web are not supernatural, and it is the “macro” nature of the narrative that makes it so terrifying. The “monster” is a community of deep web hackers who pay one another in cryptocurrency to kidnap, torture, and murder women they locate by hacking into cameras on phones and laptops. What begins as an encounter with one nefarious figure spirals into a vast conspiracy where devices are controlled remotely, subways experience curiously inconvenient delays, cameras on platforms and hospitals are accessed to blackmail the protagonists with real-time footage of their friends, and hospital systems are breached.

The first film related the nightmares of a life and community mediated (and therefore recorded) through technology—the ways we unknowingly compromise ourselves—but Unfriended: Dark Web envisions the dystopic uses of technology in a late-capitalist surveillance state better than anything the American cinema has thus far produced. It is a reminder that our own devices are most useful to forces we can hardly perceive, revealing the dystopic uses in a world where everyone is being watched. Indeed, in an era when telecommunication companies willingly hand over information to the NSA and companies few of us ever knowingly and willingly interacted with can still jeopardize our identities, that most of us have are not being blackmailed by unidentifiable figures owes more to our mundane lives than our good choices.

It is hardly surprising that such a vision has already drawn accusations of nihilism, as if spotlighting a problem is somehow synonymous with ignoring it—the latter of which America has done with a great deal of its crises (only recently, with Paul Schrader’s First Reformed, has a film addressed catastrophic climate change with any degree of seriousness). On the contrary, Dark Web’s nagging feeling of powerlessness and frustration are distinctly modern phenomena. It is a desperate examination for a desperate time that horror in all its contemporary forms has all but ignored, preferring instead to relocate problems to the realm of the individual or retreat into the past, as if to tell us that it is okay to be “just a movie.” Dark Web is just a movie too, but you wouldn’t know just by watching it.

[wolveshowlingatnight]

Schizoid Personality Disorder: Intrapsychic Structure

As with the borderline and narcissistic disorders, the schizoid personality disorder is characterized by two internal object relations units. Drawing on the seminal work of Fairbairn (1952) and Guntrip (1968) and, recently, the more refined theorizing of Klein (1991, 1995) and Clark (1993), these two split object relations units can be characterized as the ‘master-slave unit’ and the ‘sadistic object-self in exile unit’. According to Guntrip (1968, p. 36), there is a ‘... chronic dilemma in which the schizoid individual is placed, namely that he can neither be in a relationship with another person nor out of it, without in various ways risking the loss of both his object and himself ...’. 

More precisely, Klein (1995, chapter 4) suggests that the dilemma for the schizoid individual is that relatedness implies the necessity of submission, dependence, compliance, and victimization at the hand of an object that is controlling, coercive, and appropriating of the self (the master-slave unit) while the safety of the non-relatedness or ‘exile’ results in painful loneliness associated with utter isolation (the sadistic object-self in exile unit). These two states correspond to Winnicott’s descriptions of a ‘threat of annihilation’ (1988, p. 47) and ‘unthinkable anxiety’ (1988, p. 57). The options, then, based upon the intrapsychic structure of the schizoid individual, are relatedness and loss of self or safety of the self in exile and intolerable isolation. This, then, is the ‘schizoid dilemma’, both being too close and being too distant result in activation of the abandonment depression.

In this regard, Guntrip (1968, p. 61) refers to ‘... a marker schizoid tendency ... to effect a compromise in a half-way position, neither in nor out’. Klein (1991, 1995) clarifies this concept by positing that the person with a schizoid personality disorder resorts to ‘schizoid compromises’ in the form of self-sufficiency and fantasy. The denial of a need for relatedness and fantasized relating provide self-protective defenses allowing for the regulation of relatively comfortable distance in relationships -- neither too close, activating the master-slave object relations unit, or too far, activating the sadist object-self in exile unit. 

The patient with a schizoid personality disorder, as with the borderline and narcissistic disorders, also enters treatment incapable of a true transference relationship. Rather, this patient, too, will be transference acting out his or her intrapsychic structure (Klein, 1995, pp. 72-84). That is, in accord with the individual’s inner psychic architecture, the therapist is perceived as either the ‘master’ or as the ‘sadistic object’. When the ‘master’ representation is projected, the therapist is experienced as controlling, dominating, and desirous of appropriating anything of value of the patient’s, and the patient experiences this ‘slavery’ as the price of relatedness. 

On the other hand, the projection of the ‘sadistic object’ results in a perception of the therapist as sadistic, dangerous, and depriving, while the patient accepts interpersonal isolation as the only means of guaranteeing safety and freedom from coercion. In addition, the schizoid patient is likely to utilize a more covert form of transference acting out involving a fantasy of an intimate relationship with the therapist. According to Klein (1991), “This fantasy, often concealed until a therapeutic alliance is in place or even until the later stages of treatment, is often the most deeply hidden ‘compromise’ that such a patient will mobilize to defend against the risk of moving closer emotionally in real life outside the therapist’s office” (p. 44).

Source

[thingswriting]

The Pursuit of Justice in Death and the Maiden

It is often said that human nature is fundamentally selfish, a claim that undermines the authenticity of the justice system. Ariel Dorfman, a Chilean playwright, developed his progressive play, Death and the Maiden, as a confrontational drama, emerging as a topical piece reflective of the political shifts present in "a country that is probably Chile but could be any country that has given itself a democratic government just after a long period of dictatorship." Dorfman himself was subjected to the consequences of dictatorship and therefore uncovers the prevailing ramifications it had on the psychological state of the victims and the incapability to seek justice for what took place. Translated in 1990 by Ariel Dorfman himself, the play takes place over the period of a weekend consisting of 3 different characters, each symbolic of the main contributors to the judicial struggle; Paulina Salas, a victim of abuse, Gerardo Escobar, her husband and human rights lawyer, and Roberto Miranda, the accused perpetrator. Dorfman implements a motif of manipulation throughout the play to construct the selfish nature of characters symbolic of both good and evil, establishing the corrupt pursuit of justice. Although each of Dorfman’s characters are representative of contrasting concepts, they share a universal egocentric attitude. Dorfman constructs Gerado as a mediator of justice, however simultaneously discloses his manipulative tendencies in order to achieve his personally desired outcome. Through the use of emotional manipulation and leveraging, Roberto’s character is seen to place his personal needs over the betterment of the situation.  Finally, Paulina as a victim is depicted to constantly move from acceptance and revenge, in order to fulfil her personal quest for closure.

By placing Gerado in a role as a mediator of justice between both Paulina and Roberto, Dorfman discloses his genuine intentions; to provide false hopes and ideas in an attempt to reach a fictitious form of closure. Gerardo’s association and trust with Roberto in contrast to Paulina creates a powerful message surrounding the perception of victims as invalid and inferior. Interactions between Gerardo and Roberto show their patronising attitude towards Paulina, using condescending verbs like “placate,” (31) “indulge” (30) and “humour.” (31) This reveals that Gerardo had no actual intention of reaching an authentic form of justice but rather relies on manipulation to provide Paulina with an illusion of closure. When plotting about Paulina, Gerardo states that Paulina has to feel, “that we- that you are willing to cooperate.” (31) Dorfman signals Gerardo’s association with Roberto through the use of punctuation as he naturally refers to himself and Roberto as “we” (31) yet the dash is symbolic of his guilty realisation. It is natural to assume that as the husband of the victim, there is an immense amount of trust between Gerardo and Paulina however, Gerardo only sees the easiest possible route for himself without considering the collateral damage for his wife. Through the invalidating manipulation of Paulina paired with the dismissal of her perspective, the concept of restorative justice is explored. Instead of healing the relationship between victim and perpetrator, a conclusion is reached with absence of all parties. Furthermore, the audience is exposed to the immense amount of guilt Gerardo feels towards the situation via his physical “desperate, shaking” (36) when confronted with Paulina’s abuse. Initially Gerardo “doesn’t like to talk” (5) about his wife’s abuse due to his personal guilt toward the situation, yet his position abruptly changes when he needs to use the confession, reflected through the high modality statement that he “has to know.” (35) The structure of the progression of Gerardo’s sympathy coincides directly with his intentions as they change according to what benefits him. Primarily the mention of rape is abruptly shut down and almost covered up, however when an opportunity arises to use the information in his favour he turns to emotional manipulation telling Paulina it is “not fair” (35) if she doesn’t share. This provides a reflection on how the information surrounding the trauma was pushed away until it could be manipulated to satisfy Gerado’s personal perspective of justice. This individual view of justice prohibits justice itself as it isn’t based on the actual events, but rather it is based upon personal guilt.

Dorfman develops multiple deceptive techniques that Roberto uses to inflict manipulation on characters in a desperate attempt to conceal the truth. Dorfman repeatedly shows Roberto attempting to establish his academic authority as a doctor in an attempt to seize control of the situation, ultimately undermining the validity of Paulina’s claims. Immediately after the removal of the gag following the abduction of Roberto, he shares a conversation with Paulina, diagnosing her as “extremely ill” (21) and “prototypically schizoid.” (21)  When conversing with Gerardo in an attempt to secure his trust, the audience encounters Roberto using the same technique to undermine Paulina, saying that she should be “receiving some kind of psychiatric treatment” (29) and that her claims were “fantasies of the diseased mind.” (30) Through the use of this extensive lexical chain that appeals to the fragile notion of sanity, the audience sees Roberto attempting to invalidate Paulina’s accusations instead of taking responsibility for the trauma he inflicted. Furthermore, Dorfman uses ambiguous claims to inflict confusion surrounding Roberto’s innocence, fluctuating between the act of a genuine confession and the notion that he supposedly “made it up.” (41) However, it was revealed that "small lies" (44) were imbedded in the “false” (41) confession that Roberto continuously corrected. Through evidence alluding to the fact that Roberto was more than likely responsible for Paulina's torture, the characters individualistic attitude is revealed. In an attempt to save his own stature Roberto never confesses to the act and it is left ambiguous to the audience. Thus, Dorfman constructs a larger comment surrounding the quest for justice. In an attempt to save one’s self, humans don’t take responsibility for their actions but rather rely on emotional manipulation of others, consequently preventing the exposition of the truth.

Paulina’s incapability of letting go of past resentment results in a fluctuating state between acceptance and revenge, providing misleading ideas to other characters. Paulina’s oscillating forgiveness towards her husband acts as a reflection of her disposition towards the larger situation. In reference to Gerardo’s affair, Dorfman creates a tense atmosphere as Paulina refers to his mistress as, “that bitch” and asks if the person that helped him fix his car was “pretty” (3) or “sexy.” (3) When asked why she assumes this she replies with, “Why, I just can’t imagine why” (3).  Dorfman employs passive aggressive and derogatory diction that connotes the idea that although Paulina claims she has moved on from the situation, in actual fact the event tainted her trust of her husband. This occurs whilst Gerardo is under the impression that she “already forgave” (35) him. Through bringing up past betrayal as a mechanism of defence, Dorfman reveals Paulina’s use of past betrayal to manipulate the present in her favour. Through this inability to forgive, the concept of closure is constructed as unattainable because in order to find closure a victim must be willing to let go of the past. Furthermore, Paulina’s need to, “satisfy her personal passion” (26) whilst there is potential that others will, “get screwed” (26) reveals her narrow and selfish perspective on the situation. Whilst coming to a compromise regarding Roberto, she agrees that if “he confesses” (28) she will “let him go.” (28) However, this is almost an occurrence of her deceiving herself into thinking that his confession will fulfil her need for closure. Due to the unrealistic understanding surrounding what Paulina needs to be satisfied, it simultaneously misleads the other characters. Directly after Roberto’s confession Paulina states her need “to kill” (42) him although Paulina received “more than all the victims in this country will ever get.” (44) This revelation that nothing will ever provide Paulina with closure exhibits how even the selfish need to feel revenge fuels the corruptness of the quest for justice.  The character of Paulina is one that is constructed with an internal conflict between revenge and acceptance and therefore she unknowingly attempts to manipulate the situation to fall in favour of her needs, misleading other characters.

The play, Death and the Maiden, was constructed on a bed of lies and ambiguity, leaving the audience with uncertainty surrounding what actually occurred. The motif of manipulation is present throughout the entirety of the play, identified as a central concept that is universal for all characters. By implementing the presence of manipulation and lies within all characters, Dorfman brings to light the contaminated quest for justice as it is merely based on a personal perception, inhibiting authentic closure. Although written originally in 1991, many victims are subjected to the same unresolved dilemmas, still suffer from the trauma and will do so for years to come. Through this exploration of how society deals with past trauma, Dorfman’s play can prompt questions surrounding how the selfish nature of the human race can hinder the entire concept of justice.