Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Schizotypal Personality Disorder
Schizotypal personality disorder (STPD) is a mental health condition marked by a

consistent pattern of intense discomfort with relationships and social interactions.
People with STPD have unusual thoughts, speech and behaviors, which usually hinder
their ability to form and maintain relationships.
OVERVIEW
What is schizotypal personality disorder?
Schizotypal personality disorder (STPD) is a mental health condition marked by a consistent

pattern of intense discomfort with close relationships and social interactions. People with STPD
have distorted views of reality, superstitions and unusual behaviors. Their relationships are
usually hindered by their symptoms.
Schizotypal personality disorder is one of a group of conditions called “Cluster A” personality

disorders, which involve unusual and eccentric thinking or behaviors. Personality disorders are
chronic (long-term) dysfunctional behavior patterns that are inflexible, prevalent and lead to
social issues and distress.
People with schizotypal personality disorder typically display unusual behavior, odd speech and
magical beliefs. They often don’t realize their behavior is unusual or problematic.
Some people with schizotypal personality disorder later develop schizophrenia.
What is the difference among schizoid and schizotypal personality

disorders and schizophrenia?
Schizoid personality disorder (ScPD) is a mental health condition marked by a consistent pattern
of detachment from and general disinterest in social relationships. This is distinct from
schizotypal personality disorder (STPD) because people with STPD have an intense discomfort
with personal relationships, not a lack of interest in them.
People with STPD also have peculiar thoughts and behaviors, such as magical thinking, whereas
people with ScPD generally don’t.
Many researchers consider schizotypal personality disorder to be one of the schizophrenia

spectrum disorders, which also includes brief psychotic disorder, schizophreniform
disorder, schizoaffective disorder and delusional disorder.
However, schizotypal personality disorder is distinct from schizophrenia because people with
STPD don’t have psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions, which are hallmarks
of schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia negatively impacts someone’s day-to-day function much more than schizotypal
personality disorder.
Who does schizotypal personality disorder affect?
Most personality disorders, including schizotypal personality disorder (STPD), begin in the teen
years when personality further develops and matures.
STPD affects people assigned male at birth (AMAB) slightly more than people assigned female
at birth (AFAB).
How common is schizotypal personality disorder?
Schizotypal personality disorder is relatively rare. It affects approximately 3% to 5% of people in

the United States.
SYMPTOMS AND CAUSES

What are the signs and symptoms of schizotypal personality disorder?
People with schizotypal personality disorder experience intense discomfort and distress in social
situations. They have a lot of difficulties forming close relationships and maintaining them,
partially due to a distorted interpretation of social interactions, as well as odd social behavior.
A person with schizotypal personality disorder may:
 Have intense social anxiety and poor social relationships.

 Not have close friends or confidants, except for first-degree relatives.
 Have peculiar behaviors and mannerisms.
 Have odd thoughts and speech, such as using excessively abstract or concrete phrases or
using phrases or words in unusual ways.
 Have unusual perceptive experiences and magical beliefs, such as thinking they have
special paranormal powers.
 Incorrectly interpret ordinary situations or happenings as having special meaning for
them (idea of reference).
 Be paranoid and suspicious of others’ intentions.
 Have difficulty with responding appropriately to social cues, such as maintaining eye
contact.
 Have a lack of motivation and underachieve in educational and work settings.
A person with STPD generally lacks awareness about how their thoughts and behaviors impact
others.
What causes schizotypal personality disorder?

Personality disorders, including schizotypal personality disorder, are among the least understood
mental health conditions. Researchers are still trying to figure out the exact cause of them, but
believe they develop due to several factors.
Researchers think the cause of schizotypal personality disorder (STPD) is mainly biological and
genetic because it shares many of the brain changes characteristic of schizophrenia. STPD is also
more common among biological relatives of people with schizophrenia or Cluster A personality
disorders, which suggests a genetic link.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTS

How is schizotypal personality disorder diagnosed?
Personality continues to evolve throughout childhood, adolescence and early adulthood. Because
of this, healthcare providers don’t typically diagnose someone with schizotypal personality
disorder until after the age of 18.
Personality disorders, including schizotypal personality disorder, can be difficult to diagnose

since most people with a personality disorder don’t think there’s a problem with their behavior or
way of thinking and don’t think they need to change their behavior.
When they do seek help, it’s often due to co-existing conditions, such as anxiety or depression,
not the disorder itself. Rates of these two mental health conditions are particularly high among
people with schizotypal personality disorder.
When a mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, suspects someone

might have schizotypal personality disorder, they often ask questions that’ll shed light on:
 Childhood history.
 Relationships.
 Work history.
 Reality testing.
Because a person suspected of having schizotypal personality disorder may lack insight into their
behaviors, mental health professionals often work with the person’s family and friends to collect
more details about their behaviors and history.
Mental health providers base a diagnosis of schizotypal personality disorder on the criteria for
the condition in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorders.
MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT

How is schizotypal personality disorder treated?
Psychotherapy (talk therapy) and low-dose antipsychotic (neuroleptic) medication are the main
treatment options for schizotypal personality disorder.
Antipsychotic medication for schizotypal personality disorder
Healthcare providers sometimes prescribe low-dose antipsychotic (neuroleptic) medications for

people with schizotypal personality disorder to treat the following symptoms:
 Cognitive peculiarities.
 Odd speech.
 Depression.
 Anxiety.
 Impulsivity.
Antipsychotic medications are particularly useful for people with moderately severe schizotypal
symptoms and those experiencing mild, transient psychotic symptoms.
Psychotherapy for schizotypal personality disorder
Psychotherapy (talk therapy) is a term for a variety of treatment techniques that aim to help
people identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts and behaviors. Working with a mental
health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, can provide support, education and
guidance to the person and their loved ones.
Types of psychotherapy that may benefit people with schizotypal personality disorder include:
 Group therapy: This is a type of psychotherapy in which a group of people meets to

describe and discuss their problems together under the supervision of a therapist or
psychologist. Group therapy may help someone with schizotypal personality disorder
develop social skills because it addresses social anxiety and awkwardness. However,
people with more severe symptoms may be disruptive in group therapy, especially if they
have prominent paranoid thinking and behaviors.
 Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): This is a structured, goal-oriented type of
therapy. A therapist or psychologist helps someone take a closer look at their thoughts
and emotions to understand how their thoughts affect their actions. For someone with
schizotypal personality disorder, a therapist may focus on reality testing and attention to
interpersonal boundaries. They may also help the person recognize distorted thinking
patterns, such as referential, paranoid or magical thinking.
PREVENTION
Can schizotypal personality disorder be prevented?
While schizotypal personality disorder generally can’t be prevented, treatment can allow a
person who’s prone to this condition to learn more productive ways of altering unhelpful
behaviors and thoughts.
OUTLOOK / PROGNOSIS
What is the prognosis (outlook) for schizotypal personality disorder?
Schizotypal personality disorder is a chronic condition that requires lifelong treatment.
If left untreated, the prognosis (outlook) for schizotypal personality disorder (STPD) is generally
poor. It’s very common for people with STPD to have other mental health conditions, including:
 Social anxiety disorder.

 Depression.
 Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
 Substance use disorder.
About 30% to 50% of people have major depressive disorder when they’re diagnosed with
STPD.
It’s essential that people with STPD receive treatment for these conditions.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
It’s important to remember that schizotypal personality disorder (STPD) is a mental health
condition. As with all mental health conditions, seeking help as soon as symptoms appear can
help decrease the disruptions in a person’s life. Mental health professionals can offer treatment
plans that can help manage thoughts and behaviors.
The family members of people with STPD often experience stress, depression and isolation. It’s
important to take care of your mental health and seek help if you’re experiencing these
symptoms.

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Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Schizotypal personality disorder (STPD) is a mental health condition marked by a

Schizotypal personality disorder (STPD) is a mental health condition marked by a consistent

Schizotypal personality disorder is one of a group of conditions called “Cluster A” personality

Some people with schizotypal personality disorder later develop schizophrenia.

What is the difference among schizoid and schizotypal personality

Many researchers consider schizotypal personality disorder to be one of the schizophrenia

Who does schizotypal personality disorder affect?

How common is schizotypal personality disorder?

Schizotypal personality disorder is relatively rare. It affects approximately 3% to 5% of people in

SYMPTOMS AND CAUSES

A person with schizotypal personality disorder may:

 Have intense social anxiety and poor social relationships.

What causes schizotypal personality disorder?

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTS

Personality disorders, including schizotypal personality disorder, can be difficult to diagnose

When a mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, suspects someone

MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT

Antipsychotic medication for schizotypal personality disorder

Healthcare providers sometimes prescribe low-dose antipsychotic (neuroleptic) medications for

Psychotherapy for schizotypal personality disorder

 Group therapy: This is a type of psychotherapy in which a group of people meets to

Schizotypal personality disorder is a chronic condition that requires lifelong treatment.

 Social anxiety disorder.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

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