Do I Have Schizotypal (Personality) Disorder?

Do you experience ideas of reference (i.e., believing that your thoughts or actions caused something to happen), excluding delusions of reference?

Do you experience odd beliefs or magical thinking that influences behavior (e.g., superstition, belief in clairvoyance)?

Do you experience unusual perceptual experiences, including bodily illusions?

Do you experience odd thinking and speech (e.g., vague, metaphorical, over-elaborate or stereotyped)?

Do you experience suspiciousness or paranoid thoughts?

Do you experience inappropriate or constricted affect?

Do you experience behavior or appearance that is odd, eccentric, or peculiar?

Do you experience lack of close friends or confidants other than first-degree relatives?

Do you experience excessive social anxiety that does not diminish with familiarity and tends to be associated with paranoid fears rather than negative judgments about self?

Can you confirm that the symptoms do not occur exclusively during the course of schizophrenia, a bipolar disorder or depressive disorder with psychotic features, another psychotic disorder or autism spectrum disorder?

You do not have schizotypal (personality) disorder.

While it is unlikely that you have schizotypal (personality) disorder, you are displaying some signs related to the disorder. People with this disorder usually don’t have many close relationships, their behavior is often described as odd and they are likely to misinterpret other people’s behaviors. This can lead to social isolation and anxiety. The disorder is usually diagnosed in early adulthood and with treatment, symptoms can improve. An appointment with your doctor can help you stop worrying about your symptoms and have better insight of the condition.

Unfortunately, you are displaying symptoms typically seen among individuals who have schizotypal (personality) disorder. People who suffer from this disorder are also at a higher risk of developing depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and they often have problems at work, school and in relationships. A visit to your doctor is essential. Your doctor will conduct a physical exam to rule out other problems that may be causing the symptoms. Further evaluation may include an interview about your symptoms and your medical history. Treatment for schizotypal (personality) disorder usually consists of psychotherapy and medication.