Skip navigation | ||
|
||
Medical Encyclopedia |
|
Other encyclopedia topics: | A-Ag Ah-Ap Aq-Az B-Bk Bl-Bz C-Cg Ch-Co Cp-Cz D-Di Dj-Dz E-Ep Eq-Ez F G H-Hf Hg-Hz I-In Io-Iz J K L-Ln Lo-Lz M-Mf Mg-Mz N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sh Si-Sp Sq-Sz T-Tn To-Tz U V W X Y Z 0-9 |
Contents of this page: | |
Definition
Schizotypal personality disorder is a psychiatric condition characterized by a pattern of deficiency in interpersonal relationships and disturbances in thought patterns, appearance, and behavior.Causes, incidence, and risk factors
The cause is unknown, but schizotypal personality disorder is believed to have a genetic component. There is an increased incidence in relatives of schizophrenics.
Schizotypal personality disorder should not be confused with schizophrenia. People with schizotypal personality disorder tend to have odd beliefs and behaviors, but they are not profoundly disconnected from reality and usually do not hallucinate. (Hallucinations, delusions, and complete unawareness of reality are hallmarks of untreated or unsucessfully treated schizophrenia).
Symptoms
People with schizotypal personality disorder may be severely disturbed, and their odd behavior may resemble that of people with schizophrenia. They may have unusual preoccupations and fears, such as fears of being monitored by government agencies, which are also common in schizophrenia.
More commonly, however, people with schizotypal personality disorder simply behave oddly and have unusual beliefs (aliens, witchcraft, etc.) that they cling to so strongly that it isolates them from normal relationships. Full-blown hallucinations are unusual.
Signs and tests
Some of the common signs of schizotypal personality disorder include the following:
Treatment
Some people may be helped by antipsychotic medications, but in many cases talk therapy is preferred.
Expectations (prognosis)
The outcome varies with the severity of the disorder. Schizotypal personality disorder is usually a chronic illness that can be treated but not cured.
Complications
Calling your health care provider
Talk to your health care provider or mental health professional if you have trouble forming and keeping relationships due to unusual beliefs or suspect that your child may have this problem.
Prevention
There is no known prevention. Awareness of risk, such as a family history of schizophrenia, may allow early diagnosis.
Update Date: 1/25/2003 Updated by: David Taylor, M.D., Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
Home | Health Topics | Drug Information | Encyclopedia | Dictionary | News | Directories | Other Resources | |
Copyright | Privacy | Accessibility | Selection Guidelines U.S. National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894 National Institutes of Health | Department of Health & Human Services |
Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |