What Is Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Schizotypal disorders are detected as genetic background (spectrum) of 10-15% of relatives of schizophrenic patients.

What triggers schizotypal personality disorder?

The diagnosis can be considered equivalent to a latent, indolent, ambulatory schizophrenia. Definition of this group of disorders is controversial, as schizotypal disorder is difficult to distinguish from simple schizophrenia and schizoid personality disorders. They can be regarded as persistent decompensation of personal properties, if not always under stress they become ill with schizophrenia.

    SYMPTOMS

The emergence of strange and inexplicable character traits in middle age and postpubertate with inadequate behavior, eccentric or coldness of a second can lead to social isolation. However, social self-isolation may be primary, and is determined by the particular personal philosophy and beliefs in a hostile environment. The style of behavior is determined by the pretentiousness and lack of logic, by following their own selfish attitudes. There is a mythological thinking, which, however, is not clear in the specific context of the culture. Even if included in the psycho-energetic and religious sects, the patient does not find there a place for himself in connection with its own interpretation of the energy or spiritual experiences. He is characterized by its own diet, the interpretation of the behavior of others of the family and society, his own style of clothing, stereotypes work.

    DIAGNOSIS

Over 2 years progressively or periodically are found 4 features of the following:

1. Inappropriate affect, coldness, aloofness.
2. Oddity, eccentricity, oddity of behavior and appearance.
3. Loss of social communication, withdrawal.
4. Magical thinking, odd beliefs incompatible with cultural norms.
5. Suspiciousness and paranoid.
6. Fruitless obsession with sophistication, sexual or aggressive tendencies.
7. Somatosensory or other types of illusions, depersonalization and derealization.
8. Amorphous, detailed, metaphorical or stereotyped thinking, strange bizarre speech, incoherence of thought.
9. Spontaneous episodes of delusional states with illusions, auditory hallucinations.

    Differential diagnosis 

The differential diagnosis of simple schizophrenia and schizoid personality disorders dynamics is so complex that the diagnosis is avoided whenever possible.

HOW TO TREAT

Treatment is based on short-term use of neuroleptics in small doses, and the emphasis on psychotherapy techniques with group therapy, psychoanalysis.