Schizotypal personality disorder (STPD) is a mental health condition that causes atypical behavioral patterns that affect interpersonal relationships, thinking, and appearance. People with STPD are often described as eccentric in the way they act, perceive things, speak, and think. Studies estimate that about 4% of Americans suffer from STPD.
There are several types of personality disorders, and STPD is classified as a Cluster A personality disorder. Regardless of which personality disorder one has, symptoms often begin in the teenage years or early adulthood, develop over a long period of time, and typically indicate problems and uncertainty about how people view themselves.
Each personality disorder can affect specific traits and behaviors. Distinctive symptoms of schizotypal personality disorder include:
- Atypical behavior that deviates from the norm
- odd appearance
- Difficulty conveying ideas
- Problems connecting in relationships
- Strange, suspicious, or paranoid thoughts
- Magical thinking or belief in supernatural powers
- Misinterpreting reality or everyday situations
- disquiet
- separation from others
- Tendency to experience negative emotions such as sadness, anxiety, and poor self-image
STPD is part of the schizophrenia spectrum disorder and shares similar symptoms (such as strange thoughts and behavior) with schizophrenia. However, these are two different conditions. Unlike people diagnosed with schizophrenia, people with STPD typically do not hallucinate, do not feel disconnected from reality, or experience delusions.
The exact cause of schizotypal personality disorder is unclear. However, research theorizes that the following factors may be involved in development:
- genetics: Mutations (changes) in certain genes, such as the CACNA1C gene, which plays an important role in behavior, learning, and memory, may be associated with STPD. Evidence shows that people with a family history of STPD are at higher risk of developing STPD themselves.
- Environmental factors: Exposure to influenza during pregnancy, chronic stress, and a history of mental health disorders may also increase the risk of developing STPD.
- Coexistence conditions: Studies have shown that approximately two-thirds of people with STPD are diagnosed with at least one additional personality disorder, specifically borderline personality disorder (BPD). Other mental health conditions that frequently occur along with STPD include autism spectrum disorder, social anxiety disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Other factors, including gender, ethnic background, and socioeconomic factors, may affect the risk of schizotypal personality disorder. For example, STPD appears to be more prevalent in men, low-income people, and black people. It is unclear why these groups are more affected, but research suggests that high stress levels and limited resources for managing life stressors may play a role.
Unlike physical health conditions that may require imaging scans or blood tests, there is no specific test to diagnose schizotypal personality disorder. Instead, mental health care providers often use psychological evaluations to ask questions about family and medical history, symptoms, lifestyle habits, and behaviors.
According to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition. (DSM-5), To be diagnosed with STPD, you must have at least 5 of the following symptoms:
- Excessive social anxiety, which may be associated with paranoid fears
- strange beliefs and thoughts
- Odd behavior or appearance
- The belief that random, unrelated events in the world are directly related to oneself.
- unusual perceptual experience
- no close friends
- Awards
- Expressing emotions inappropriately
To further meet diagnostic criteria for STPD, mental health care providers must also rule out other related conditions, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It is also important to ensure that symptoms do not occur only during the course of the psychosis.
Schizotypal personality disorder is a lifelong condition, and like other personality disorders, there is currently no cure. However, this does not mean that there are no treatments available. There are several treatment options to improve function and reduce the severity of symptoms. Typically, a STPD treatment plan may include medications, supplements, therapy, and social skills training.
drug
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any medications specifically to treat personality disorders such as STPD. However, health care providers use certain medications off-label (meaning not for their intended use) to treat this condition. Your health care provider may recommend:
- Antidepressants: It typically includes medications such as Navane (thiothisene) and Prozac (fluoxetine), which treat conditions such as schizophrenia, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and major depressive disorder (MDD).
- Antipsychotic drugs: Medications such as Risperdal (risperidone) and Zyprexa (olanzapine) may be used to help reduce symptoms such as depression and paranoia in people with STPD.
If STPD is causing cognitive impairment, your healthcare provider may recommend stimulants. For anxiety due to STPD, Benzodiazepines It may help relieve symptoms.
supplements
Taking certain supplements that help improve brain function can sometimes help improve STPD symptoms. For example, a study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggested that omega-3 fatty acid supplements in childhood may reduce STPD symptoms and prevent more severe symptoms from developing in adolescence.
Before starting any supplement, it is important to check with your healthcare provider to find out if it is safe for you (or your child).
therapy
Treatment options such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and supportive therapy are useful strategies for treating STPD. The goals of therapy are to identify challenging patterns and behaviors, reframe harmful thoughts, learn adaptability and social skills, and provide encouragement and self-efficacy.
social skills training
Because people with STPD typically experience extreme social anxiety and have difficulty navigating social situations, social skills training (SST) may be helpful. SST offers classes on how to improve communication, socialize better, and reduce anxiety and stress in social settings.
Researchers don't know exactly why some people develop STPD, and unfortunately, there is no surefire way to prevent this personality disorder. However, some strategies may help reduce your risk of developing more serious symptoms of STPD. These methods include:
- Eat a balanced diet comprised of whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, fruits, and vegetables
- Doing regular physical activity
- Getting enough sleep at night
- Taking Omega-3 Supplements
Schizotypal personality disorder shares similar symptoms with other mental health disorders. These include:
- Schizoid Personality Disorder: Another cluster is a personality disorder that causes a lack of desire for close friendships, a desire for solitude, and emotional coldness toward others.
- Paranoid Personality Disorder (PPD): Not only does it contribute to similar symptoms, such as suspicion, lack of interest, and lack of trust in others, but it also causes an intense fear of closeness or intimacy with others and a tendency to experience extreme anger.
- Avoidant Personality Disorder: They share similar social isolation tendencies as those with STPD, but are also affected by fear of rejection and low self-esteem.
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A developmental disorder that affects the way people communicate, interact, learn, and behave
Receiving a diagnosis of a personality disorder can be daunting, and living with the condition can be just as difficult. That's because personality disorders can affect many different aspects of life, including work, school, relationships, and mental health. However, understanding that you may need support and receiving appropriate treatment can help reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.
Working with a mental health care provider can help you build stronger relationships with others, communicate better, learn how to cope with stress, and reduce the severity of your symptoms. Asking for support from loved ones during the treatment process and meeting a support group of other people living with a personality disorder can also encourage you to invest in your growth and healing.