Schizotypal personality disorder is characterised by a pervasive pattern of intense discomfort with and reduced capacity for close relationships, by distorted ways of thinking and perceiving, and by eccentric (odd) behaviour.
- Individuals with schizotypal personality disorder may prefer not to interact with people because they feel like they are different and do not belong.
- Medical professionals diagnose schizotypal personality disorder based on specific symptoms, including intense discomfort with close relationships, distorted ways of thinking and perceiving, and odd behaviour.
- Treatment includes antipsychotic drugs, antidepressants, and cognitive-behavioural therapy.
Personality disorders are long-lasting, pervasive patterns of thinking, perceiving, reacting, and relating that cause an individual significant distress and/or impair an individual’s ability to function.
Individuals with schizotypal personality disorder are less in touch with reality, and their thought and speech are more disorganised than occurs in other personality disorders. However, thoughts and behaviour are not as unusual and out of touch with reality as in schizophrenia.
Schizotypal personality disorder occurs in almost 4% of the general population in the United States.
It may be slightly more common among men. Schizotypal personality disorder is less likely to resolve or lessen as individuals age than most personality disorders.
Other disorders are often also present. Over half of individuals with schizotypal personality disorder have had at least one episode of major depressive disorder, and 30 to 50% of them have major depressive disorder when schizotypal personality disorder is diagnosed.
These individuals often also have a substance use disorder.
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