Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Schizotypal personality disorder (STPD) is characterized by extreme social anxiety, disorderly thoughts, paranoia, odd or eccentric behaviors, unusual beliefs, and episodes of psychosis — such as hallucinations.

People with schizotypal personality disorder find it hard to form close relationships and they think or believe unusual things and behave in unusual ways. They can misinterpret people’s social cues and behavior, leading to a general mistrust of everyone.

Prevalence

STPD affects approximately 3% of the general population and is slightly more common in males than in females. STPD begins in early adulthood.

Schizotypal Personality Disorder vs Schizophrenia

The difference between schizotypal personality disorder and schizophrenia is that people with STPD know the difference between reality and their delusions whereas those with schizophrenia cannot. Also, those with STPD experience shorter, less intense, fewer episodes of psychosis.

Sources MAYO CLINIC – Schizotypal Personality Disorder Symptoms & causes | PSYCHOLOGY TODAY – Schizotypal Personality Disorder Symptoms, Causes & Treatment | PSYCOM – Schizotypal Personality Disorder Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment | NIH – National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions | Deidre M. Anglina, Patricia R. Cohenab, Henian Chena (2008) Duration of early maternal separation and prediction of schizotypal symptoms from early adolescence to midlife, Schizophrenia Research Volume 103, Issue 1, Pages 143–150 (August 2008) | Chen, C. K.; Lin, S. K.; Sham, P. C.; et al. (2005). “Morbid risk for psychiatric disorder among the relatives of methamphetamine users with and without psychosis”. American Journal of Medical Genetics. 136 (1): 87–91.