Schizotypal personality disorder

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Schizotypal personality disorder is a psychiatric condition characterized by a pattern of deficiency in interpersonal relationships and disturbances in thought patterns, appearance, and behavior.

The cause is unknown, but schizotypal personality disorder is believed to have a genetic component, since there is an increased incidence in relatives of schizophrenics.

Schizotypal personality disorder should not be confused with schizophrenia. People with schizotypal personality disorder tend to have odd beliefs and behaviors, but they are not profoundly disconnected from reality and usually do not hallucinate. Hallucinations, delusions, and complete unawareness of reality are hallmarks of untreated or unsuccessfully treated schizophrenia.

Review Date: 11/15/2006
Reviewed By: Paul Ballas, D.O., Department of Psychiatry, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.