It seems like because of the personality negative symptoms of psychosis, that most schizophrenics are introverted. And it is true, while I was unmedicated I was extremely schizoid and isolated, but now that I am okay and stable, my personality has changed. I am actually a very social, personable person. I love spending time with other people and genuinely care when people start conversations about little things going on in their life.
I try to hang out with friends twice a week, and I crave constant social contact to an almost unhealthy extent. I donāt do well at big parties because I usually donāt know many people except the one who invited me, but at smaller gatherings I flourish and become very social and āparty it upā becoming quite wild.
I have many friends, but they arenāt fake friends, I have deep and meaningful relationships with all of them. I have a large social circle and love being around people. Is anyone here like me? It seems like most people on this forum are shy or introverted.
After a lifetime of shyness, I finally had a healthy social life for a few years in college. I had a handful of close friends and was friendly with most of the people at my small school. I went to parties every week and felt acceptance and belonging. As I got sicker I started alienating people with my behavior and withdrew. After I graduated I lost contact with almost everyone except one or two very close friends. Now itās been exactly 4 years since I graduated and Iām back to the isolation I experienced in high school. Luckily one friend has stuck with me, and I donāt know what Iād do without her. So thatās been my arc.
No I am definitely an introvert. I imagine having something like sz it would be very hard to be an extrovert because of the social skill deficits. It makes me sad to think of.
Genetically, I am an extrovert however when I was in my teens and early 20ās I was targeted and bullied. I had serious panic attacks as a result and it caused me to withdraw. As I got older, my natural extrovert started coming out little by little. I still got targeted but I made an effort to ignore it. Got kinda numb to it.
I will say, though, that I have had issues with some men and my friendly extroversion. In my experience, when a man is attracted to me, he can tend to read into that and start hitting on me. I have (unfortunately) felt the need to gauge my friendliness and extroversion and felt the need to withdraw around some men out of fear of being hit on or sexualized. That is only my life experience. Not a comment on all men. It is much easier to ābe myselfā around women as they are far less likely to read into it.
I can be an extrovert-ish type by nature or appear that way to some, but Iām not very good at making and keeping relationships with most people I meet. I prefer to keep a distance, keep to myself.
So initially Iām an introvert.
If I may add, my introvert appearance/personality seems to attract people and they see me as mysterious. They also say I seem very smartā¦Iām not sure quietness/introversion makes me smart though.
I am introverted. I only really go to family gatherings now and spend time with my parents and my sister. I lost all my school friends and people I met since school. I really donāt think I would be able to make friends or even sustain them as I have become too used to being alone.
Your story sounds like a good one. I hope it continues for you as those kind of connections are out of reach for many.
As a teen I was quiet and had no confidence, I have schizophrenia and autism. Well since I joined the autism foundation Iāve begun to study my life coach who is very social. I would watch how he interacted with people and sort of mimic him, he didnāt really notice though. So now itās been 4 and a half years and Iām very social. In fact recently Iāve been out of the house more then in the house. I donāt have a lot of friends but you donāt need a lot itās not about quantity its about quality. So yea honestly I used to be a lot of introvert but Iām pretty extroverted now. I usually get a long with everyone and donāt judge people. If they treat me like crap though I just boot them and donāt waste time on them.
Iām extroverted at work. Iām a waitress and I always ask my customers how they are spending their day. Or the weather or weekend plans. Not as extroverted outside of work. I like to go home and relax with the dog.