- [Voiceover] Schizotypal Personality Disorder,
or sometimes shortened to S-T-P-D,
is when someone has difficulty forming
and keeping relationships with others,
and they also have these beliefs that might appear strange
or peculiar, and might even seem to resemble
some features of Schizophrenia.
These people will often have unusual ideas
or theories about things,
making them seem odd or eccentric to others,
and making it even harder to make connections with others.
But, a very important distinction to make
from patients with Schizophrenia and delusions,
is that they're willing to consider facts
that might be contradictory to these beliefs
and challenge these unusual views.
An example of an unusual view might be something
that's unusually superstitious,
or maybe they believe in some sort of magical thinking,
like a sixth sense, or telepathy.
Socially, though, they'll often prefer to be alone
and get really uncomfortable and anxious
in social situations.
And, these feelings don't really improve over time,
or with age or familiarity.
So, clearly, here, there seem to be
some similarities with Schizophrenia, right?
Especially in thinking and beliefs.
But, we have to be careful, because STPD
is definitely very different from Schizophrenia.
So, let's say that someone has
this superstitious belief with this rabbit's foot,
and that they have to have it with them
whenever they take a test, or else they won't do well.
If this person also had STPD,
they might reconsider whether they need it or not
after taking the test and doing really well without it.
If this person had Schizophrenia,
their belief in this is set, regardless of what happens,
and they won't consider changing their beliefs,
even if they did really well, or better than usual.
So, with that said, these thoughts and peculiar beliefs
aren't typically full-fledged delusions with STPD.
And, these patients don't have hallucinations, either.
If they did, they'd likely be considered
for a diagnosis of Schizophrenia, instead.
And, in general, STPD does not progress to Schizophrenia.
Just like Schizophrenia, though,
there aren't any specific tests that'll tell us
whether someone has STPD or not.
And, it usually takes a trained mental health professional,
like a psychologist or psychiatrist,
to make a proper diagnosis.
And, when making a diagnosis, they'll look for symptoms,
like being very uncomfortable in social situations,
and they'll also look for odd fantasies or beliefs
and behavior that don't really fit with cultural norms.
Another symptom that they might look for
would be something like having very little close friends
other than your first degree relatives.
And with that said, in almost all cases,
it's usually these relatives that notice the disorder
and encourage them to see someone about it,
rather than the person instigating treatment, themselves.
If they do instigate treatment, though,
it's likely because they're seeking help
for some other symptoms, like depression or anxiety.
And, the cause of STPD, like many personality disorders,
is still very much a mystery.
But, one clue to scientists is that
it seems to be more common among first degree relatives
of patients with STPD,
which is also the case for Schizophrenia, right?
And, this adds to a list of similarities
between the two disorders,
and even suggests some genetic similarities.
But, how they overlap, and really, how they both develop,
is, overall, still very unclear.
As to treatment of STPD, there are no drugs
that are specifically made and prescribed
to patients with this disorder,
although, they might be prescribed medications
if something like a psychotic episode is experienced,
or if they have some sort of underlying mood disorder,
like depression.
Usually, instead of medication,
the treatment of choice for STPD is long-term psychotherapy
with a therapist that has experience with STPD.
And, these can often target things like improving
their social skills and social behaviors
and ways of thinking.
Psychotherapy can definitely be an effective tool
that helps improve their quality of life
and can seriously reduce symptoms of STPD.