Movies, TV shows & books about schizoid personality disorder

Movies

1. “Taxi Driver” (1976) – The main character, Travis Bickle, exhibits schizoid traits as he struggles with isolation and detachment from society.
2. “Anomalisa” (2015) – This stop-motion animated film follows a protagonist who experiences a deep sense of disconnection from the world.
3. “Bartleby” (2001) – Based on the short story “Bartleby, the Scrivener” by Herman Melville, it tells the story of a passive office worker who gradually withdraws from society.
4. “The Machinist” (2004) – The film explores the unraveling psyche of an insomniac factory worker who becomes increasingly detached from reality.
5. “Clean, Shaven” (1993) – A psychological thriller that delves into the mind of a schizophrenic man desperately searching for his estranged daughter.
6. “Zelig” (1983) – A 1983 American satirical mockumentary comedy film written, directed by and starring Woody Allen as Leonard Zelig, a nondescript enigma, who, apparently out of his desire to fit in and be liked, unwittingly takes on the characteristics of strong personalities around him. The film, presented as a documentary, recounts his period of intense celebrity during the 1920s, including analyses by contemporary intellectuals.
7. “Up in the Air” (2009) – Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) works for an American human resources consultancy firm specializing in employment-termination assistance. His work constantly takes him around the country, conducting company layoffs on behalf of employers. Ryan also gives motivational speeches, using the analogy, “What’s in Your Backpack?” to extol living free of burdensome relationships and material possessions.
8. “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” (1956) – The film’s storyline concerns an extraterrestrial invasion that begins in the fictional California town of Santa Mira. Alien plant spores have fallen from space and grown into large seed pods, each one capable of producing a visually identical copy of a human. As each pod reaches full development, it assimilates the physical traits, memories, and personalities of each sleeping person placed near it until only the replacement is left; these duplicates, however, are devoid of all human emotion. Little by little, a local doctor uncovers this “quiet” invasion and attempts to stop it. The slang expression “pod people” that arose in late 20th-century U.S. culture refers to the emotionless duplicates seen in the film.

TV Shows

1. “Mr. Robot” (2015-2019) – While the main character, Elliot Alderson, does not have an official diagnosis, he exhibits traits consistent with schizoid personality disorder.
2. “Fargo” (2014-present) – Season 1 features a character named Lester Nygaard, who displays schizoid-like tendencies as he becomes more isolated and detached from reality.
3. “The Bridge” (2011-2018) – The protagonist, Saga Norén, is a detective who shows traits of schizoid personality disorder, including emotional detachment and social awkwardness.
4. “Sherlock” (2010-2017) – The portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in this series often depicts him as exhibiting traits of schizoid personality disorder, such as detachment from emotional connections.
5. “Hannibal” (2013-2015) – While not directly addressing schizoid personality disorder, the character of Dr. Hannibal Lecter demonstrates elements of emotional detachment and a lack of empathy.

Books

1. “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger – The protagonist, Holden Caulfield, displays various schizoid-like behaviors, including detachment from society and a sense of alienation.
2. “The Stranger” by Albert Camus – The main character, Meursault, exhibits schizoid traits as he remains emotionally detached from his surroundings and refuses to conform to societal norms.
3. “Stoner” by John Williams – The novel follows the life of William Stoner, a university professor who experiences emotional detachment and a sense of isolation throughout his life.
4. “The Secret History” by Donna Tartt – One of the main characters, Richard Papen, struggles with social detachment and exhibits schizoid tendencies as he becomes entangled in a secretive group.
5. “The Bell Jar” by Sylvia Plath – Although not explicitly about schizoid personality disorder, the protagonist, Esther Greenwood, experiences feelings of detachment and struggles with her identity.

It’s important to note that while these movies, TV shows, and books may contain characters who exhibit traits of schizoid personality disorder, they are works of fiction and may not provide a comprehensive or accurate portrayal of the disorder. For a better understanding of schizoid personality disorder, it is recommended to consult professional sources or reach out to mental health experts.