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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffSchizotypal personality disorder is a serious condition in which a person usually has few to no intimate relationships. These people tend to turn inward rather than interact with others, and experience extreme anxiety in social situations.
People with schizotypal personality disorder often have trouble engaging with others and appear emotionally distant. They find their social isolation painful, and eventually develop distorted perceptions about how interpersonal relationships form. They may also exhibit odd behaviors, respond inappropriately to social cues and hold peculiar beliefs.
Schizotypal personality disorder typically begins in early adulthood and may endure throughout life. There's no cure for schizotypal personality disorder, but psychotherapy and some medications may help. Some research suggests that positive childhood experiences may help reduce symptoms of schizotypal personality disorder in affected young people.
- Skodol AE. Longitudinal course and outcome of personality disorders. Psychiatric Clinics of North America. 2008;31(3):495-503, viii.
- Skodol AE, et al. Positive childhood experiences: Resilience and recovery from personality disorder in early adulthood. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. 2007;68(7):1102-1108.
- Pfohl B. Personality disorders. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 12, 2008.
- Schizotypal Personality Disorder. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 4th ed. Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association Publishing; 2000.
- Personality disorders. Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec07/ch105/ch105a.html. Accessed Aug. 1, 2008.
- Hall-Flavin D (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Aug. 18, 2008.
