Schizotypal personality disorder is a psychiatric disorder in which a person has no interpersonal relationships. Most individuals with this disorder are considered to be introverts, avoid all forms of social interaction and tend to get anxious at social events. Individuals affected by this disorder have a need for social isolation; exhibit a strange thought pattern and hold unconventional beliefs. They have major problems in mixing with others and are often perceived as cold and remote by others. These individuals, however, are unhappy on account of being unable to form good social ties with others and develop vague perceptions regarding interpersonal relationships.

Schizotypal personality disorder is a serious mental condition that needs immediate attention as it leads to the disruption of an individual’s normal functioning at social, professional and personal levels. The prevalence of this disorder in general population is estimated at about 3percent according to the American Psychiatric Association. There is no guaranteed cure for this condition, but a combination of certain medications and psychotherapy helps elevate some of the symptoms.

Characteristics of Schizotypal personality disorder:

Individuals with this disorder have a strong fear of social interaction because of past experiences being negative in nature.

These individuals appear to be introverts and have constant social and interpersonal divergence.

They may behave inappropriate or react in a peculiar manner in response to various life situations.

They have highly personalized and superstitious beliefs and may think they possess supernatural or magical powers.

They have peculiar thought patterns accmpanied by disorganized communication and behavior patterns that are often similar to schizophrenic individuals.

The cognitive symptoms of Schizotypal personality disorder include:

Their mental processes related to memory, judgment and reasoning are often problematic.

They hold strange magical beliefs and superstitions. They often exhibit a belief in telepathy, acquisition of superpowers etc.

They believe that other people’s conversations and gestures often hold and underlying meaning or significance.

They are unable to communicate clearly.

Individuals with schizotypal personalities do not have any sound goals and tend to drift aimlessly for years. They lack the ability to communicate clearly with others and often project strange thought and behavior patterns. In these aspects the disorder is sometimes considered to be linked with schizophrenia, but schizotypal personalities do not lose touch with reality.