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Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Schizotypal disorder is a personality disorder that typically involves people who need isolation socially. People with schizotypal personality disorder usually have odd behavior and thinking patterns. Many have unfounded beliefs that they have some form of extra sensory powers. Schizotypal personality disorder is kind of like a mild form of schizophrenia.

The American Psychological Institute describes schizotypal personality disorder as being a pattern of social and interpersonal drawbacks that are accompanied by acute discomfort. Those with schizotypal personality disorder have a limited capacity to form close relationships. Most often schizotypal personality disorder started in early adulthood and can be found in several contexts.

Cause, Occurrence and Risk of Schizotypal Personality Disorder

There is no specific known cause for schizotypal personality disorder although psychologists have speculated that is has genetic components. Those who have family that have been diagnosed with schizophrenia appear to have an increased risk.

Schizotypal personality disorder is different from schizophrenia in the fact that they have odd beliefs and behavior but they are not removed from reality and have hallucinations like those with schizophrenia.

Signs and Symptoms of Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Those who suffer from schizotypal personality disorder typically resemble someone with schizophrenia. Many will have a preoccupation with unusual fears, which is also very common in people with schizophrenia. However, most typically people with schizotypal personality disorder have odd or unusual beliefs such as aliens that they believe so strongly even without factual evidence that they distance those who get close to them. It is very unusual for those with schizotypal personality disorder to have full hallucinations as some with schizophrenia may experience.

While there can be many signs and symptoms for schizotypal personality disorder a psychologist looks for five of the following to make a diagnosis of schizotypal personality disorder. Many of the signs and symptoms are not definite and can occur at any stage in schizotypal personality disorder. They also typically don’t have a dominant or typical disturbance with these signs or symptoms.

• Behavior is influenced by magical thinking, superstitiousness or paranormal beliefs.
• An eccentric behavior and/or appearance.
• Paranoid ideas.
• Unusual perceptions which lead to unusual experiences.
• A constricted affect.
• Unusual speech and thinking.
• A lack of close friends other than close relatives.
• Unusual ideas usually have reference.
• Social anxiety.
• The ability to rule out all other psychotic disorder and pervasive developmental disorder.

Diagnostic Guidelines for Schizotypal Personality Disorder

While having five or more of the above signs and symptoms can be a sign of schizotypal personality disorder only certified psychologists can determine if it is a case of schizotypal personality disorder or if it is bordering on schizophrenia. Those with schizotypal personality disorder will typically have the above signs and symptoms occurring either continually or in episodes. Typically a psychologist will not make a diagnosis unless the symptoms have been present for at least two years. In addition, if you have a close relative that has been diagnosed with schizophrenia it is more likely that you will have schizotypal personality disorder.

The Course of Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Schizotypal personality disorder follows a chronic pattern that features various fluctuations in intensity. In severe cases schizotypal personality disorder can evolve into schizophrenia. There is no clear onset to schizotypal personality disorder and it often follows the typical course of a personality disorder. Psychologists believe schizotypal personality disorder is of the genetic spectrum as schizophrenia.

Prognosis and Treatment for Schizotypal Personality Disorder

If you are diagnosed with schizotypal personality disorder the effect of the disorder on your life will depend greatly on the severity of your condition. As a chronic illness, schizotypal personality disorder can be treated but never completely cured. Some of the effects of schizotypal personality disorder include poor social skills and a lack or difficulty in having interpersonal relationships. Some psychologists may prescribe antipsychotic medications for schizotypal personality disorder. However, many psychologists’ preferred method is talk therapy.

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Personality Disorders

Antisocial Personality Disorder

Avoidant Personality Disorder

Borderline Personality Disorder

Dependent Personality Disorder

Histrionic Personality Disorder

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

Paranoid Personality Disorder

Personality Disorder NOS

Passive-Aggressive Personality Disorder

Schizoid Personality Disorder

Schizotypal Personality Disorder