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Schizotypal personality - Schizotypal personality Symptom, Cause, Treatment
Schizotypal personality disorder is one of a group of conditions called eccentric personality disorders which is characterised by unusual thinking patterns, behaviors, or appearances. People with these disorders often appear odd or peculiar. They may display unusual thinking patterns, behaviors, or appearances. Schizotypal personality disorder is a psychiatric condition characterized by a pattern of deficiency in interpersonal relationships and disturbances in thought patterns, appearance, and behavior. They typically have few, if any, close friends, and feel anxious around strangers although they may marry and work in spite of odd behavior. They also feel extreme anxiety in social situations and may act inappropriately, or not react at all, during conversations. Sufferers often seek isolation from others, convinced that they are the constant topic of ridicule, criticism or gossip. Thus those with the disorder trust few people and view the world as an isolated place.
Symptoms of Schizotypal personality
People with this disorder may be severely disturbed and may resemble those with schizophrenia; more commonly, however, patients behave only mildly oddly, having unusual beliefs (aliens, witchcraft, etc) that they cling to so strongly that it isolates them from normal relationships. Hallucinations are unusual. Other symptoms include:
- Dressing, speaking or acting in an odd or peculiar way
- Being suspicious and paranoid
- Being uncomfortable or anxious in social situations due to their distrust of others
- Having few friends and being extremely uncomfortable with intimacy
- Tending to misinterpret reality or to have distorted perceptions (for example, mistaking noises for voices)
- Having odd beliefs or magical thinking (for example, being overly superstitious or thinking of themselves as psychic)
- Being preoccupied with fantasy and daydreaming
- Tending to be stiff and awkward when relating to others
- Coming across as emotionally distant, aloof, or cold
Causes of Schizotypal personality
Schizotypal personality disorder is more common in relatives of people with schizophrenia and typically develops in early adulthood.The cause of Schizotypal Personality Disorder is unknown, but there is an increased incidence in relatives of schizophrenics. There are some causes are
- The cause is unknown, but schizotypal personality disorder is believed to have a genetic component.
- Increased occurrence of the disorder in relatives of Schizophrenics.
Treatment of Schizotypal personality
Some patients of Schizotypal personality may be helped by antipsychotic medications, but in many cases talk therapy is preferred. Patients with schizotypal personality disorder rarely seek treatment for the disorder itself. When they do seek treatment, it most often is due to a related disorder, such as depression or anxiety.Patients with schizotypal personality disorder who also suffer from another disorder-such as anxiety or depression-might benefit from medicine, such as an antidepressant or anti-anxiety drug. Patients with schizotypal personality disorder who also suffer from another disorder-such as anxiety or depression-might benefit from medicine, such as an antidepressant or anti-anxiety drug. In some instances, especially at times of crises or extreme stress, severe symptoms might develop, requiring a brief period of hospitalization. Treatment for people with this disorder is most effective when family members are involved and supportive.
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