Schizotypal Personality Disorder ​

 

People with this personality disorder have a tendency to avoid social situations. 

 

They look odd or peculiar to others and may show unusual thinking and behaviors.

 

How common is the condition?

Common (More than 200,000 cases per year in the US)

 

Is the condition treatable?

Treatable by a medical professional

 

Does diagnosis require a lab test or imaging?

Rarely requires lab test or imaging

 

The time it takes for recovery

Can last several years or be lifelong

 

Condition Highlights

More common in males but present in females also

Family history may increase the likelihood of schizotypal personality disorder.                              

 

What are the personality disorders that mimic schizophrenia?

 

Several personality disorders, called Cluster A personality disorders, share symptoms with schizophrenia. Cluster A personality disorders include paranoid personality disorder, schizoid personality disorder, and schizotypal personality disorder.

                                                        Symptoms

The symptoms include:

• Unusual beliefs

• Being a loner, lack of close friends; unfriendly, private, anti-social, prefer​ doing things alone; uncomfortable with teamwork or power-sharing; controlling

• Socially awkward; Not comfortable around people in general.

• Interpretation of harmless events as personal

• Peculiar ways of dressing

• Suspiciousness or paranoid thoughts; Excessively distrusting

• Belief in superstitions

• Limited emotional responses; emotionally distant, flat facial affect

• Having illusions; Easily triggered to anger with exaggerated moods

• Delusional thinking - inflexible, maladaptive, and pervasively unwilling to consider other explanations for ideas they latch onto and believe, even when there is no evidence to support their suspicious conclusions.

• Depression & Anxiety disorders are often comorbid

The Coronavirus Pandemic is likely to increase the number of cases of this disorder because people are required to be together more often and this presents an undesirable situation for persons who are loners.

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People with schizotypal personality disorder, according to the Mayo Clinic,  are often described as odd or eccentric and usually have few, if any, close relationships. They generally don't understand how relationships form or the impact of their behavior on others. They may also misinterpret others' motivations and behaviors and develop a significant distrust of others. These problems may lead to severe anxiety and a tendency to avoid social situations.

 

Treatment 

Treatment for Schizotypal Personality Disorder includes psychotherapy. Medications may be required to control some thoughts, behaviors, or quasi-psychotic episodes.

Medication

Antipsychotics: Are used to decrease psychotic episodes.

Olanzapine . Risperidone

Antidepressants: To treat symptoms of depression.

Fluoxetine . Escitalopram

Anti anxiety drugs: To treat anxiety.

Clonazepam

Therapy

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: Helps the patient recognize pattern behaviors and modify them.  Helps them via social skills training, and reality testing to recognize their distortions in reality and counter a tendency to take things personally, resulting in exaggerated responses.

 

Family counseling: Helps to improve trust and build relationships.   This disorder can create an enormous strain on close relationships.  Left untreated, break-ups are likely.

 

The information content is Certified Accurate

 

This information has been verified for accuracy by Dr. W T Barnes, PhD, DD  Clinical Director of Barnes Holistic Counseling Therapies Institute, and may be reached at drwilliambarnes@bhcti.com.  Please allow 48 hours for a response or call 727-289-1164 to schedule a Zoom  Consult Appointment.  All calls are strictly CONFIDENTIAL.  

 

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