Schizotypal personality disorder (stpd)

[Dave Paprocki]

Schizotypal personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of intense discomfort with and reduced capacity for close relationships, by distorted cognition and perceptions, and by eccentric behavior. Diagnosis is by clinical criteria. Treatment is with antipsychotic drugs, antidepressants and cognitive-behavioral therapy.
(See also Overview of Personality Disorders.)
In schizotypal personality disorder, cognitive experiences reflect a more florid departure from reality (eg, ideas of reference, paranoid ideas, bodily illusions, magical thinking) and a greater disorganization of thought and speech than occurs in other personality disorders.
Reported prevalence of schizotypal personality disorder varies, but estimated prevalence is about 3.9% of the general US population. This disorder may be slightly more common among men.
Comorbidities are common. Over half of patients with schizotypal personality disorder have had ≥ 1 episode of major depressive disorder, and 30 to 50% of them have major depressive disorder when schizotypal personality disorder is diagnosed. These patients often also have a substance use disorder.