Schizotypic Personality Disorder is characterized by bizarre perceptions and thoughts, interpersonal problems, eccentric behavior and habits in conversation. Personality disorders permeate a person's entire life and last a long time; this means that the symptoms do not occur in isolated episodes and have a tendency to form recurring habits. Look for specific signs and symptoms, learning to distinguish schizotypal personality disorder from schizophrenia. The best way to identify this disorder is to be evaluated by a mental health professional.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Identifying the Symptoms
Step 1. Notice unusual worries or excessive social anxiety
People with schizotypal personality disorder may express unusual, bizarre thoughts or excessive social anxiety which tends to be associated with paranoia. For example, someone might think that they are controlled by the government or believe in high-level conspiracies about which they have information. When you try to come up with arguments to discredit his theories, he can defend his point of view, even if he has no concrete evidence.
- These people may believe they have magical powers or special abilities, such as mind reading or telepathy.
- They can be extremely superstitious and go to great lengths to avoid places or events related to their superstitions.
Step 2. Identify bizarre, eccentric, or peculiar behaviors
In addition to having strange ideas or beliefs, people with schizotypal personality disorder can behave in a bizarre or eccentric way. His thoughts, in fact, can produce equally unusual behaviors. For example, he may be guided by his own suspicions or paranoia.
- These people may have a bizarre or eccentric appearance or social presence. They may be unkempt or make unusual stylistic choices.
- These people may claim to have unusual bodily experiences, such as small beings living inside them or that aliens have implanted something in their body.
Step 3. Tune into their bizarre thinking and speaking
People with schizotypal personality disorder have a tendency to elaborate strange thoughts and speeches. For example, he may speak in a vague or circumstantial way. He can also speak only in metaphors or in an excessively complex way. His speeches may seem stereotyped or copied by someone else.
- Even if you can't figure out why, you may notice that the way these people speak and what they say seem bizarre or strange.
- For example, they might say overly generalized statements, such as, "Everyone knows aliens live underground. The government keeps them from us, but everyone knows."
Step 4. Look at their expressions
Often, people with schizotypal personality disorder show their feelings in a strange way. In some cases, they don't display a range of normal emotions, such as happiness, sadness, complacency, or excitement. Or, they may express their feelings in one direction in an inappropriate way, such as worrying or getting too angry. Socially, they may not be able to communicate how they feel or use inappropriate expressions.
- They may show affection or their feelings inappropriately towards people, animals and situations.
- People with schizotypal personality disorder have a tendency to have unusual emotions or expressions, while their desires may be inappropriate or limited.
Step 5. Recognize the lack of close friendships
People with schizotypal personality disorder have a tendency to have severe relationship difficulties. They can have a hard time making and maintaining friendships. Emotional intimacy and relationships can make them feel extremely uncomfortable. They may be unwilling or disinterested in developing bonds with others.
- People with this disorder may not have close friends outside of their closest relatives, due to a lack of socialization. You might consider them lonely or unsociable.
- They may have intense social anxiety, but that comes from paranoia and not from negative self-judgment.
Part 2 of 3: Recognizing the Mental Health Conditions
Step 1. Learn what elements qualify for a personality disorder
A personality disorder is a long-term behavioral pattern that is distinctly different from what is considered socially acceptable. Often, people with this type of disorder don't realize they have a problem. Their thoughts can be inflexible. Often their personality influences thoughts, mood and predisposition as well as social relationships.
Personality disorders affect a person's abilities to have a job, to lead daily life and social relationships, often causing problems in those areas and emotional suffering. Personality disorders do not occur in episodes but permeate the patient's entire life
Step 2. Learn the differences with schizophrenia
It can be difficult to distinguish suspicions and paranoias from schizophrenia. In the latter case, people have a tendency to lose touch with reality and enter a state of psychosis. Usually, if symptoms of psychosis are present, it is schizophrenia. People with schizotypal personality disorder may experience delusions or hallucinations, but these episodes are not as frequent, intense or prolonged as is the case with schizophrenia. The disorder is considered a milder diagnosis than schizophrenia.
People with schizophrenia truly believe that their reality is correct, while those with schizotypal disorder may accept the concept that their reality is distorted
Step 3. Distinguish the disorder from autism
Autistic people can also be very eccentric, have few friends and feel nervous in social situations (usually due to negative experiences). However, they also exhibit learning difficulties and do not develop paranoia or delusions if no other disorders are present.
- Autistic people are usually able to have logical arguments and although they can be fooled easily, they are able to distinguish fantasy and reality.
- Autistic people often show intense passion and interest, sensory hyper or hyposensitivity, learning difficulties and unusual habits, disorganization, difficulty understanding social skills and a tendency to self-stimulate. People with schizotypal disorder usually do not have these symptoms.
Step 4. Note the presence of other disturbances
Many people with schizotypal personality disorder exhibit intense social anxiety. Social relationships with others can be difficult or impossible, due to paranoia, such as being spied on or followed. Even once familiar with a person, sufferers can continue to experience extreme anxiety. They are also at increased risk for depression, anxiety, other personality disorders (such as paranoid), suicide, alcohol or drug problems.
People with schizotypal personality disorder are at increased risk for psychotic episodes, usually in response to stress
Step 5. Consider family history
Although not much is known about the causes of schizotypal personality disorder, it appears to have a genetic component. People with the disorder are more likely to have a relative with schizophrenia.
- Personality disorders are usually diagnosed in adulthood. Because the personality changes all the time during development, children and adolescents do not often receive this diagnosis.
- Some warning signs include poor social skills and few interpersonal relationships. These behavioral patterns can begin to emerge as early as childhood.
Part 3 of 3: Getting Professional Help
Step 1. Encourage a loved one to seek help
If you suspect an acquaintance is suffering from schizotypal personality disorder, suggest that they undergo treatment. Most people don't seek treatment until the symptoms have a significant impact on their lives. In other cases, patients wish to seek help for other disorders, such as paranoid personality or anxiety disorders, before being diagnosed with schizotypal disorder.
If you are concerned about a loved one, encourage them to talk to a professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist
Step 2. Get a psychological assessment
A psychologist can make a diagnosis by conducting an interview and carrying out an assessment, usually through cognitive-behavioral therapy. Assessment may include self-assessment questionnaires and a comprehensive analysis of mental, family and social health history.
It is important to get a diagnosis so you can better understand the disorder and receive treatment
Step 3. Get treatment
Almost all treatments for schizotypal personality disorder involve therapy and social skills training. Therapy can be individual or group, while training can help the patient cope more effectively with social situations and reduce the anxiety they cause. Hospitalization or home care may be needed if symptoms are severe.
