Schizotypal personality disorder | |
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Other names | Schizotypal disorder |
Specialty | Psychiatry, clinical psychology |
Symptoms | Ideas of reference, unusual beliefs, perceptual illusions, odd thinking and speech, paranoia, inappropriate affect, strange behavior, social anxiety, dissociation[1][2][3] |
Complications | Schizophrenia, substance use disorder, major depressive disorder |
Usual onset | 10–20 years old |
Duration | Chronic |
Causes | Genetics; childhood neglect; childhood abuse |
Risk factors | Family history |
Diagnostic method | Based on symptoms |
Differential diagnosis | Other cluster A personality disorders, borderline personality disorder, avoidant personality disorder, autism, social anxiety disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dissociative identity disorder[1] [2][3] |
Treatment | Cognitive behavioral therapy, metacognitive therapy, cognitive remediation therapy |
Medication | Antipsychotics, antidepressants |
Prognosis | Typically poor, although significant improvements can be made |
Frequency | Estimated 3% of general population |
Schizotypal personality disorder (StPD or SPD), also known as schizotypal disorder, is a cluster A personality disorder.[4][5] The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) describes the disorder specifically as a personality disorder characterized by thought disorder, paranoia, a characteristic form of social anxiety, derealization, transient psychosis, and unconventional beliefs.
People with this disorder often feel pronounced discomfort in forming and maintaining social connections with other people, primarily due to the belief that other people harbor negative thoughts and views about them.[6] Peculiar speech mannerisms and socially unexpected modes of dress are also characteristic. People with StPD may react oddly in conversations, not respond, or talk to themselves.[6] They frequently interpret situations as being strange or having unusual meanings for them; paranormal and superstitious beliefs are common. People with StPD usually disagree with the suggestion that their thoughts and behaviors are a 'disorder' and seek medical attention for depression or anxiety instead. Schizotypal personality disorder occurs in approximately 3% of the general population and is more commonly diagnosed in males.[7]