What is Schizotypal Disorder?
Schizotypal disorders are found as a genetic background (spectrum) among 10-15% of relatives of schizophrenic patients.
Causes of Schizotypal Disorder
The diagnosis can be considered as the equivalent of latent, sluggish, outpatient schizophrenia. The definition of this group of disorders is controversial, since schizotypal disorder is difficult to distinguish from simple schizophrenia and schizoid personality disorders. They can be considered as persistent decompensation of personality traits, while not always under the influence of stress they get schizophrenia.
Symptoms of Schizotypal Disorder
The appearance of strange and inexplicable character traits in post-puberty and middle age with inadequate behavior, eccentricity or coldness can lead to social isolation for the second time. However, social self-isolation can be primary, and is determined by a special personal philosophy and beliefs in the hostility of the environment. The style of behavior is determined by pretentiousness and lack of logic, following one’s own egoistic attitudes. Mythological thinking arises, which, however, is incomprehensible in a specific cultural context. Even being included in the composition of psychoenergetic and religious sects, the patient does not find a place for himself in connection with his own interpretation of energetic or spiritual experiences. In speech, neologisms and resonance. It is characterized by its own diet, interpretation of the behavior of the surrounding members of the family and society, its own clothing style, stereotyped creativity.
Diagnosis of Schizotypal Disorder
Over the course of 2 years, 4 signs of the following are gradually or periodically detected:
- Inadequate affect, coldness, estrangement.
- Eccentricity, eccentricity, strange behavior and appearance.
- Loss of social communications, fenced off.
- Magical thinking, strange beliefs that are not compatible with cultural norms.
- Suspicion and paranoia.
- Infertile obsessive philosophies with dysmorphophobic, sexual, or aggressive tendencies.
- Somatosensory or other illusions, depersonalization and derealization.
- Amorphous, thorough, metaphorical or stereotypical thinking, strange artsy speech, there is no fragmentation of thinking.
- Episodes of spontaneous delusional states with illusions, auditory hallucinations.
Differential diagnosis
The differential diagnosis with simple schizophrenia and the dynamics of schizoid personality disorder is so complicated that this diagnosis is avoided if possible.
Treating Schizotypal Disorder
The treatment is based on the short-term use of antipsychotics in small doses and an emphasis on psychotherapy using methods of the therapy group, psychoanalysis.