{"id":2603,"date":"2013-03-17T23:58:26","date_gmt":"2013-03-17T22:58:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/?p=2603"},"modified":"1970-01-01T12:00:00","modified_gmt":"1970-01-01T11:00:00","slug":"schizotypal-personality-disorder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/schizotypal-personality-disorder.htm","title":{"rendered":"Understanding Schizotypal Personality Disorder"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"schizotypalpersonalitydisorder\"Schizotypal Personality Disorder<\/b><\/p>\n

Personality disorders are one of the more controversial psychiatric diagnoses of recent times. While aspects of these personalities\u2019 types are traumatic, many argue that human personalities are too complex to slot into the ten categories stated in the DSM-IV-TR. Furthermore, a diagnosis of a personality disorder can lead to stigma for both the person and their family. Despite this ongoing debate, what is certain is that for some struggling with personality disorders, life can be challenging, difficult and isolating.<\/p>\n

Personality Disorders<\/b><\/p>\n

A personality disorder can present itself in different ways. Research has shown that there are ten types of personality disorders that can be grouped together into three different categories (Suspicious, Emotional and Anxious<\/strong>). Further reading on the categories can be found in a blog post on Personality Disorders and Treatment for Personality Disorder.<\/a> It can be easy to find some aspects of your own personality in what follows; however these personality aspects in someone with a personality disorder will be extreme and can cause significant destruction to the life of the person and those around them. It is also important to remember that while some people will have only one type, other people may have elements of two or more.<\/p>\n

In this post we are going to look more closely at one of the cluster A personality disorders<\/strong> (odd or eccentric) \u2013 Schizotypal Personality Disorder<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

What is Schizotypal Personality Disorder?<\/b><\/p>\n

Schizotypal personality disorder (STPD) is a disorder characterised by cognitive or perceptual distortions, odd behaviour and the inability to keep up close relationships. The term \u201cschizotypal\u201d itself is derived from the term \u201cschizotype\u201d and was coined by Sandor Rado in 1956 as an abbreviation of one phenotype of a \u201cschizophrenia genotype\u201d. Research has suggested that STPD represents a mild form of schizophrenia since there are similar, but not identical, symptoms.<\/p>\n

Features of <\/strong>Schizotypal Personality Disorder<\/b><\/p>\n

STPD occurs in 3% of the general population and is slightly more common in men. Characteristics of those with STPD often include an eccentric appearance or behaviour, rapid and elaborate speech that is difficult to follow, suspiciousness or paranoia, and often believe they have extra sensory abilities such as mind reading and seeing into the future. They can also believe in supernatural abilities such as out of body experiences and magical powers. This strange behaviour and appearance can often provoke ridicule from those around them leading to intense anxiety and paranoia. They may think that they are the constant focus of criticism and gossip and as such view the world as a very isolated place<\/p>\n

Symptoms <\/b><\/p>\n

The DSM-IV-TR defines STPD as:<\/p>\n

\u201cA pervasive pattern of social and interpersonal deficits marked by acute discomfort with, and reduced capacity for, close relationships as well as by cognitive or perceptual distortions and eccentricities of behaviour, beginning by early adulthood and present in different contexts indicated by 5 or more of the symptoms listed below\u201d:<\/p>\n