Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Schizotypal Personality Disorder is a personality disorder and a chronic mental health disorder. It is a long-term pattern of distorted thinking and uncomfortable feeling which prohibits a person from behaving normally. This personality disorder includes extreme paranoia and a preoccupation with others’ feelings regarding oneself. A patient suffers from a distorted image of self and impaired decision-making. This makes it difficult for a patient to behave normally in society and even get a job in serious cases.
Read on to learn more about what is Schizotypal Personality Disorder, Schizotypal Personality Disorder treatment and Schizotypal Personality Disorder causes among other important factors.

What is Schizotypal Personality Disorder?

Schizotypal Personality Disorder (STPD) is a cluster A personality disorder that features a patient feeling uncomfortable in close relationships. Patients have a distorted sense of reality, faulty perceptions and eccentric behaviours.
A patient’s odd way of thinking and behaving causes him or her to behave erratically in social settings. Paranoia, emotional detachment from situations and people and anxious behaviour when out in public are some of the most common symptoms.

Statistics and Facts

Around 7.8% of the total population in the world suffers from personality disorders.

What is the difference between Schizoid and Schizotypal Personality Disorders and Schizophrenia?

• Schizoid Personality Disorder:
  Schizoid Personality Disorder (SPD) is a personality disorder in which a patient is detached from people and is not interested in maintaining social relationships. Unlike patients suffering from STPD, those suffering from SCPD do not experience peculiar thoughts or feel uncomfortable with close family and friends.
• Schizophrenia:
  Schizophrenia is a serious psychological disorder which includes symptoms like hallucinations and delusions. While people suffering from STPD and ScPD can go about their routine with treatment, those suffering from Schizophrenia cannot. There is a complete disruption of thought processes and no regulation or proper processing of emotions.

Common Myths and Misconceptions

Myth 1: Schizotypal Personality Disorder cannot be treated. Therefore, a patient has to live with it.
Fact 1: False. Schizotypal Personality Disorder is a treatable disorder. Patients can recover from the disorder and lead a normal life.

Myth 2: Schizotypal Personality Disorder is more common among adults.
Fact 2: False. Schizotypal Personality Disorder can be diagnosed in any person belonging to any age group.

Myth 3: STPD is the same as schizophrenia.
Fact 3: False. Schizotypal Personality Disorder is a less severe psychological disorder. However, both disorders need to be treated with therapy.

What Causes Schizotypal Personality Disorder?

Schizotypal Personality Disorder's cause is not limited to a single factor. An individual could develop this problem due to:

- Family history of schizophrenia or any other related mental health issue.
- Abnormality is brain chemistry or experiencing trauma during childhood.
- STPD is also commonly found among patients who have emotionally detached parents.
- Chronic stress or social isolation can make it difficult for a person to adjust to a social setting.
- Unrealistic cultural norms also lead to personality disorders. It causes distress and difficulties in the life of an individual. The usual response of a patient to such a situation is inflicting self-harm during a time of crisis.

What are the signs and symptoms of Schizotypal Personality Disorder?

• Intense Social Anxiety
  Patients suffering from Schizotypal Personality Disorder feel uncomfortable in social situations. There is a lack of close friendships and only the immediate family is interacted with.
• Peculiarity in Behaviour and Speech
  Patients suffering from STPD usually speak very concrete language. They have peculiar mannerisms and display extreme behaviours. They are not able to maintain eye contact or learn the right body language when conversing with people.
• Unnecessary Paranoia
  Patients are always suspicious about other people’s behaviour. There is a constant preoccupation with misinterpreting simple events and difficulty in following social cues.
• Lack of Motivation
  Since patients are unable to emotionally connect with others, there is a lack of motivation to achieve anything in life. They barely maintain routine responsibilities and hardly manage to get on with their lives.
  Family and loved ones must keep a check on patients. Certain patients may resort to self-harm to escape certain uncomfortable social situations. Therefore, these signs must be paid close attention to before opting for a treatment plan.

How is Schizotypal Personality Disorder treated?

The treatment for STPD includes two steps, namely, diagnosis and therapy or medication. Read on to learn more about the two stages.

Diagnosis

STPD is diagnosed during the early stages of adulthood. Patients are physically examined to rule out other health issues that have similar symptoms. Psychologists conduct thorough interviews about symptoms, and family history and ask about any other recurring mental disorder.
Mental assessment is the second step which includes:

• Learning about the persistence of symptoms and if it has any negative impact on school life or work life.
• The extent of the impact of these symptoms on daily life.
• What kind of emotions or feelings a patient goes through in social situations?

Certain patients may harm themselves during severe bouts of Schizotypal Personality Disorder. For such cases, professionals opt for questionnaires and other diagnostic tools. They can also ask about any substance addiction in the past or trauma experienced by an individual.

Treatment Options

A combination of therapies and medication works best to treat a patient. However, the treatment also depends on the medical history of the patient. A therapist may also opt for a combination of therapies depending on the severity of the problem.
Here are some of the most effective psycho-therapies for patients:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  Cognitive behavioural therapy helps a patient recognise distorted thoughts. Therapists teach patients to recognise and be conscious of their maladaptive behaviour. CBT can effectively treat social anxiety and correct odd thought patterns.
  This therapy is administered in a structured manner so that eccentricities can be addressed properly. Along with Schizotypal Personality Disorder, this therapy also treats co-existing psychological problems like depression and social anxiety.
• Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT)
  Impaired attention, poor memory and hampered normal functioning are some of the symptoms of Schizotypal Personality Disorder. With the help of CRT, therapists can improve a patient’s cognitive flexibility and participate in social conversations.
  This therapy aims to enable a patient to navigate interpersonal relationships effectively. Therapists train patients to repair their distorted cognitive thoughts. This way, patients can socialise independently in the real world and adapt to difficult situations.
• Supportive Psychotherapy
  Psychotherapy therapy supports open discussion of symptoms. The aim is to discuss fears and emotions openly in a non-judgmental environment. With supportive therapy, patients get validation and emotional support. Coping strategies get better and patients feel motivated to recover from the problem.
  Therapists can easily guide patients in setting realistic and achievable goals for patients. They train patients and inform them that they are not alone in this journey. The feeling of isolation is alleviated and patients get rid of any kind of mistrust.
• Family Therapy and Group Therapy
  The aim of administering family therapy and group therapy is to prevent relapse. The family is educated about the issue which makes it easier for a person to manage symptoms. In cases there is a case in which family conflict is the root cause of the problem, family therapy will address those problems. Mutual support will be created and feelings of isolation will be treated.
  Atypical Antipsychotic Medication works by modulating neurotransmitters. The medication works effectively to treat co-morbidities like depression and anxiety. It aims to reduce the intensity of unusual thoughts and correct distorted patterns. However, patients must take these medicines after professional consultation and consume these medicines carefully.

Living with Schizotypal Personality Disorder

• Living with Schizotypal Personality Disorder can be difficult for patients. Patients are usually considered misfits in society and are not emotionally intelligent enough to communicate their problems.
• Work and life at school suffer immensely due to undiagnosed psychological problems. Therefore, seek help immediately and consult the best psychiatrist for help. Feel no shame in taking an elderly with you to the treatment centre for moral support.
• Self-care is essential, so stick to a proper routine for the fastest recovery. A more structured approach towards leading one's life reduces stress. This will also allow easy management of therapy while performing well at school.
• Since relationships with oneself and others take a back seat, communicate your problem to others so that they understand. Seek space when necessary but work hard towards maintaining relationships and friendships.

How to Support Loved Ones?

• Communicate regularly with the patient to know if there is any improvement or deterioration in the condition. Clear ways of communication ensure better recovery and long-term emotional stability in a patient.
• Patience is the key, so do not rush into any treatment which causes discomfort to the patient. Psychological disorders are like any other health problem, so treatments can be time-consuming.
• Self-care and maintaining proper boundaries are essential for the patient and the family. Give them space while their treatment is going on and listen attentively. Make sure you acknowledge their feelings and behave empathetically with them.
• Educate yourself and learn more about the disorder. The more the family learns about the disorder, the easier the management and the faster the recovery. Symptoms are understood better and
• Encourage them to seek therapy. Make sure they know that psychological disorders are not taboo and can be treated like any other health problem.

Jagruti Treatment and Recovery

• Tailored Treatment Plan
  Mental health experts tailor the treatment plans according to the patient’s condition. They analyse the patient’s medical history and try to learn about any other mental health disorders the patient suffered from. Every case is studied and analysed independently. For the purpose of maintaining privacy, no two patients with the same problem are treated in the same session.
• Online and Offline Therapies
  Online and offline therapy sessions are available for patients. Patients who are working or attending school can opt for outpatient programs that include hour-long sessions after working hours. They can also opt for online sessions and get treated from home. Confidentiality of all the patients is maintained at all times.
• Hygienic Living Conditions
  The facility has hygienic living conditions wherein cleanliness of rooms and bathrooms is maintained at all times. Balanced meals are provided to all patients after considering their religious and cultural factors. The nursing staff also assists patients in carrying out their routine work in case a patient is physically incompetent to do so independently.
• Expert Mental Health Staff
  Professional psychologists and psychiatrists are on the panel of the rehab centre. Expert nutritionists and dietitians on the panel ensure a complete recovery. Other medical health professionals are also a part of the team to manage co-morbidities. The rehab centre also works in collaboration with other hospitals and medical facilities for the complete recovery of a patient.
• Multiple Treatment Centres
  There are multiple Jagruti Rehab Centres all over the country. All the centres are technologically equipped and have the best medical health professionals on board. Payment options are flexible and relapse prevention treatments are also provided.