Overview
Personality disorders are chronic mental health conditions where a person has a long term and rigid pattern of thinking and behaving, which is not what most people would consider usual or normal. People who have schizotypal personality disorder are sometimes described as having odd or eccentric thoughts and behaviours. They have an intense fear of social interaction and problems making close relationships and usually have few if any, other than those within their family circle.
This can lead to them developing social anxiety as they are distrustful and suspicious of the intentions of others. They have poor coping skills and struggle with communication so can have trouble forming healthy relationships. This can have a significant and negative affect on their education, work and family life.
People who have anxiety disorders are aware that something is wrong but feel unable to control or cope with it. People who have a personality disorder however, are unaware, so don’t believe that there is a problem that they need to try and manage
Causes
It’s not really understood why a person develops any type of personality disorder, including schizotypal personality disorder. Research is still ongoing but it is believed that they are not caused by a single factor but by a combination of factors that can be genetic, biological and environmental which can all contribute to its development, these can include:
· Having suffered from major depression, as up to half of the people who develop schizotypal personality disorder, have also suffered from major depression
· If you have had other mental health conditions such as, bipolar, borderline personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder you could be at a higher risk
· Having a family history of paranoia or schizophrenia
· Genes you inherit from your parents or chemical imbalances or changes in the brain
· If you have suffered from extreme stress or psychological trauma in the past
· Have suffered neglect or had parents or caregivers that were emotionally detached
Associated conditions or risks
Schizotypal personality disorder is a chronic condition and requires long term treatment, if it remains untreated it can lead to the development of other mental health disorders which can include:
· Alcohol misuse
· Depression
· Drug misuse
· OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder)
· Schizophrenia
· Social anxiety
· Suicidal thoughts or attempts
· Temporary psychotic bouts
Symptoms of schizotypal personality disorder
People with schizotypal personality can have a wide range of symptoms, but they will generally have at least five of the following:
· Suffer with socially anxiety having few friends, and a small social circle other than their family.
· They are uncomfortable with intimacy so can struggle to make and maintain close relationships
· Are distrustful and suspicious of people and prone to being paranoid
· Often come across as being distant or cold as they lack emotion and they’re emotional responses often seem inappropriate, they can also struggle to maintain eye contact
· Often lack motivation which can result in them underachieving in education and their career prospects
· Are prone to daydream and fantasise often believing they have special powers or are psychic
· They have strange or unusual thoughts, behaviours and beliefs and have a distorted sense of reality often being superstitious and believe in magic
· Have speech patterns that may seem odd or strange, can have peculiar mannerisms and behaviours as well as looking dishevelled or wearing mismatched or odd choices of clothing
· Can interpret things incorrectly even when it is a harmless or inoffensive remark, believing that it is directed at them personally
· Struggle to interpret or respond to social cues and are unaware of the affect their thoughts and behaviours have on other people
Diagnosis and Treatment
Generally people with schizotypal personality disorder rarely go to see their doctor because they think they have a personality disorder. This is because people with personality disorders don’t think there is anything wrong with their thought patterns or behaviours, so they don’t feel that they need to change. More often than not they will consult their doctor for symptoms such as anxiety or depression, as both of these conditions are common in people who have the disorder.
Your doctor might ask about your medical history and that of your families, and whilst there are no tests to diagnose personality disorders, they might run tests to enable them to rule out any underlying physical condition that could be causing your symptoms. Because our personalities develop throughout our childhood and adolescence schizotypal personality disorder is rarely diagnosed before the age of eighteen.
If your doctor believes that you may have a personality disorder they will recommend that you see a mental healthcare professional who can make a diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment. Whilst antianxiety or antidepressant medication, or even in extreme cases anti-psychotics can help, long-term treatment usually consists of psychotherapy or talking therapies which can consist of one or a combination of therapies.
CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy)
Is a structed goal orientated therapy, it involves looking at your thoughts and emotions to see how they affect your actions and behaviours. It can also help to recognise distorted thoughts and beliefs, as well as showing you how other people might interpret your behaviour. It can help you to develop social skills, thereby reducing your anxiety.
Family therapy
Can help family members better understand the condition, which can in turn help improve trust and communication, making their home life easier as they are able to provide support.
Group therapy
Involves meeting in groups under the supervision of a psychotherapist in order to discuss they’re shared problems. It can also help some people to improve their social skills by discussing their social anxiety. It may not be ideal for people with more extreme symptoms particularly if they are dealing with paranoia.
Supportive therapy
Encourages adaptive skill that will teach people how to deal with their negative thoughts and emotions. It can also teach people how to learn to develop trust, so that they can have a better chance of developing relationships
Self help is important if you live with schizotypal personality disorder, so it is important to ensure you take any medication you have been prescribed, as well as exercising regularly and ensuring you get a goodnights sleep. Written by Jan, Jeana and Wendy at Barnsley Hypnosis and Counselling (UK). For more free Information click above link.
