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Schizotypal Personality Disorder	Personality Disorders Home
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Individuals with schizotypal personality disorder have difficulty forming close relationships and exhibit behavior, mannerisms and thought patterns that are peculiar or odd. These individuals are not disturbed enough to warrant a diagnosis of schizophrenia, although the two disorders may be related. Biological relatives of individuals with schizotypal personality disorder are more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia or a related psychotic disorder.

Individuals with this disorder may experience unusual perceptions or illusions, such as the feeling of a deceased loved one in the room. They are often paranoid and may develop ideas of reference, such as the belief that other people are talking about or plotting against them. Many believe they have some form of magical powers, or sixth sense. Although reality contact is usually maintained, highly personalized and superstitious thinking are characteristic of those with this disorder, and during times of extreme stress they may experience transient psychotic symptoms.

Speech and mannerisms are often odd, and individuals with schizotypal personality disorder may attach unusual meanings to words, and their speech may be vague or abstract. They commonly appear unkempt and engage in unusual behaviors such as talking to themselves out loud even in the presence of others. They tend to be socially withdrawn and aloof, having few friends and displaying little emotion. Others may appear silly or laugh or cry at inappropriate times.

Schizotypal personality disorder is believed to be slight more common in males than in females and is estimated to affect about 3 percent of the general population.

Diagnostic Criteria for Schizotypal Personality:

A. A pervasive pattern of social and interpersonal deficits marked by acute discomfort with, and reduced capacity for, close relationships as well as by cognitive or perceptual distortions and eccentricities of behavior, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:

(1) ideas of reference (excluding delusions of reference)

(2) odd beliefs or magical thinking that influences behavior and is inconsistent with subcultural norms (e.g., superstitiousness, belief in clairvoyance, telepathy, or "sixth sense"; in children and adolescents, bizarre fantasies or preoccupations)

(3) unusual perceptual experiences, including bodily illusions

(4) odd thinking and speech (e.g., vague, circumstantial, metaphorical, overelaborate, or stereotyped)

(5) suspiciousness or paranoid ideation

(6) inappropriate or constricted affect

(7) behavior or appearance that is odd, eccentric, or peculiar

(8) lack of close friends or confidants other than first-degree relatives

(9) excessive social anxiety that does not diminish with familiarity and tends to be associated with paranoid fears rather than negative judgments about self

B. Does not occur exclusively during the course of Schizophrenia, a Mood Disorder With Psychotic Features, another Psychotic Disorder, or a Pervasive Developmental Disorder.

Note: If criteria are met prior to the onset of Schizophrenia, add "Premorbid," e.g., "Schizotypal Personality Disorder (Premorbid)."

Treatment of Schizotypal Personality:

Psychotherapy is the most effective treatment for this personality disorder. The therapist attempts to help the individual differentiate between fact and fantasy while exercising care not to be confrontational or directly challenge inappropriate thought patterns. Once the therapist has helped the schizotypal individual learn basic social skills, group therapy might be beneficial.

Antipsychotic medication is very useful as a treatment for individuals experiencing psychotic symptoms.

Personal Stories of Schizotypal Personality:

If you would like to share your story of living with this disorder, or if you are a loved one of schizotypal individual and would like to tell your tale - please email me and I will include it on this page.