Schizotypal Personality Disorder: Similar to Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder But Different

Schizotypal personality disorder (STPD)—also known as schizotypal disorder—is a mental health condition marked by a consistent pattern of intense discomfort with relationships and social interactions. People with STPD have unusual thoughts, speech, and behaviors, which usually hinder their ability to form and maintain relationships.

While patients frequently present with similar symptoms to schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, STPD is quite distinct. “The biggest distinction in diagnosis, at least, is that schizotypal disorder is one of the personality disorders (along with borderline, obsessive-compulsive, and several others),” wrote Lisa Miles on PsychCentral. “Delusions and hallucinations are the hallmarks of schizoaffective disorder, almost akin to schizophrenia. In schizotypal disorder, however, these two traits are not so extensive as they are with people with schizophrenia.”

Indeed, psychosis is the primary symptom of schizophrenia, as the late Colorado Recovery founder Richard Warner explained. “Schizophrenia is a psychosis—a severe mental disorder in which the person’s emotions, thinking, judgment, and grasp of reality are so disturbed that his or her functioning is seriously impaired,” Dr. Warner wrote in his book The Environment of Schizophrenia. 

Schizoaffective disorder is a mental health disorder that is marked by a combination of schizophrenia symptoms, such as hallucinations or delusions (psychosis), and mood disorder symptoms, such as depression or mania.

Several schizotypal disorder symptoms mimic those of other mental illnesses, so it’s not always easy to diagnose it correctly. People with STPD feel pronounced discomfort in forming and maintaining social connections with other people, primarily due to the belief that other people harbor negative thoughts and views about them. 

Peculiar speech mannerisms and socially unexpected modes of dress are also characteristic. Schizotypal people may react oddly in conversations, not respond, or talk to themselves. They frequently interpret situations as being strange or having unusual meanings for them—paranormal and superstitious beliefs are common. 

Schizotypal patients frequently disagree with the suggestion that their thoughts and behaviors are a “disorder” and seek medical attention for depression or anxiety instead. It is estimated that STPD occurs in three to five percent of the general population and is more commonly diagnosed in males. Some people with schizotypal personality disorder later develop schizophrenia.

Signs and Symptoms

According to the Cleveland Clinic, persons with schizotypal personality disorder may:

  • Have intense social anxiety and poor social relationships.
  • Not have close friends or confidants, except for first-degree relatives.
  • Have peculiar behaviors and mannerisms.
  • Have odd thoughts and speech, such as using excessively abstract or concrete phrases or using phrases or words in unusual ways.
  • Have unusual perceptive experiences and magical beliefs, such as thinking they have special paranormal powers.
  • Incorrectly interpret ordinary situations or happenings as having special meaning for them (idea of reference).
  • Be paranoid and suspicious of others’ intentions.
  • Have difficulty with responding appropriately to social cues, such as maintaining eye contact.
  • Have a lack of motivation and underachieve in educational and work settings.

Personality disorders, including schizotypal personality disorder, are among the least understood mental health conditions. Researchers currently think the cause of STPD is mainly biological and genetic because it shares many of the brain changes characteristic of schizophrenia. Treatment for STPD may include psychotherapy and low-dose antipsychotic medications. 

At Colorado Recovery it is our mission to help adults with serious mental health issues stabilize their illness, minimize symptoms, improve functioning, and enhance each person’s social inclusion, quality of life, and sense of meaning in life.

If you have questions about our recovery model or our services to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and similar mental illnesses, call us at 720-218-4068 to discuss treatment options for you or the person you would like to help.

Leaving the Comfort Zone Behind

Healthy activities for those with a mental health diagnosis - SnowshoeingLike everybody else, people with mental health issues strive to live meaningful and satisfying lives. Colorado Recovery approaches mental healthcare based on a path of self-reliance through developed practiced skills. This non-institutionalized social recovery offers dynamic levels of care supported by an expert medical and clinical team, engaging patients in increasing community participation.

One important element of this approach is the great outdoors surrounding the Colorado Recovery campus in Boulder. During the winter months that includes snowshoeing excursions in the Rocky Mountains. 

“It’s important to get people out of their comfort zone,” says outpatient and transitional living manager Terry Stiven. “Many of our clients have not been in these kinds of mountains before, so some of them get a little nervous on the car ride up the mountain. They wonder ‘What if I can’t do this?’ It’s a great opportunity to work on any anxiety or fears they may have.”

It’s not only the snowshoeing itself, clients learn to prepare and organize for the trip. It’s about getting out of the house and not only for an hour-long therapy session but pretty much for the whole day. 

And then there’s the physical challenge. “Most have never done anything like this and wonder about getting tired too soon,” says Stiven. “If they start to have doubts, we challenge them to go a little farther and when they find that success, it gives them confidence for other challenges in life.”

 

Getting out there and taking a little risk creates a lot of self-esteem. Some clients have to overcome previous negative experiences. Stiven recently accompanied a person who had been in a car accident and didn’t really feel like driving up the mountain. “We did some calming breathing exercises and said ‘Let’s give it a try’ and they did and really enjoyed the excursion in the end.”

Another client also wasn’t sure he could do it but ended up being the most eager of the whole group and really loved it: the fresh mountain air and the gently falling snow felt good and provided a solid grounding. 

“We drove for about 45 minutes up to an altitude of 10,000 feet in an area where you can overlook the continental divide and we followed a beautiful trail,” Stiven remembers. There was also the power of a shared experience, of people encouraging each other on the trail. 

“It’s great to get out of traditional forms of therapy for a while and out into the wilderness,” says Stiven. “Any Colorado Recovery client at any level of care can join in, they just have to be willing to step outside the box.”

This kind of empowering endeavor is central to the Warner Model utilized at Colorado Recovery. “Treatment should include social rehabilitation,” wrote Dr. Warner in The Environment of Schizophrenia. “People with schizophrenia usually need help to improve their functioning in the community. This can include training in basic living skills; assistance with a host of day-to-day tasks; and job training, job placement, and work support.” 

And the self-esteem necessary to succeed in the wider community can be strengthened on a wilderness trail in mid-winter. At Colorado Recovery it is our mission to help adults with serious mental health issues stabilize their illness, minimize symptoms, improve functioning and enhance each person’s social inclusion, quality of life, and sense of meaning in life.

If you have questions about our recovery model or our services to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and similar mental illnesses, call us at 720-218-4068 to discuss treatment options for you or the person you would like to help.