The following is a case example of a person suffering from Schizotypal Personality Disorder. 
 
Bill, a highly intelligent but quite introvert and withdrawn 33- year old computer analyst, was referred to psychological evaluation by his physician, who was concerned that Bill might be depressed and unhappy. Bill had virtually no contact with other people. He lived alone in his apartment, worked in a small office by himself and usually saw no one at work except his supervisor, who occasionally visited to give him new work and pick up completed projects. He ate lunch by himself, and about once a week on nice days went to the zoo for his lunch break. Bill was a lifelong loner; as a child he had had few friends and had always preferred solitude activities over family outings. In college he had spent a lot of time with one relatively close friend- mostly drinking. However, this friend now lived in another city. Bill reported in a matter-of-fact way that he had a hard time making friends; he never knew what to say in a conversation. On several occasions, he has thought of becoming friends with other people but simple couldn’t think of the right words, so “the conversation just died”. He reported that he had given some thought lately to changing his life to be more “positive”, but it had never seemed worth the trouble. It was easier for him not to make the effort because he became embarrassed when someone tried to talk with him. He was happiest when he was alone. 
 
Schizotypal personality disorder is characterized by anyone who has great strain in creating and sustaining close relationships with others. A person with schizotypal personality disorder may have extreme uneasiness with such relationships, and therefore have less of a capacity for them. Someone with this disorder usually has cognitive or perceptual misrepresentation as well as weirdness in their everyday behaviour. 
 
Features of Schizotypal Personality disorder. 
 

• May not know their own feelings and yet are exquisitely sensitive to, and aware of, the feelings of others, especially negative feelings such as anger. 

• Odd or strange, magical thinking, peculiar notions, ideas of reference (It is "the notion that everything one perceives in the world relates to one's own destiny.), illusions, and de-realization. 

• Superstitious or claim powers of clairvoyance (the supposed faculty of perceiving things or events in the future or beyond normal sensory contact) and may believe that they have other special powers of thought and insight. 

• Inner world may be filled with vivid imaginary relationships and child-like fears and fantasies. 

• Have poor interpersonal relationships and may act inappropriately, they are isolated and have few, if any, friends. 

• Might exhibit disturbed thinking and communicating. 

• Under stress, patients with schizotypal personality disorder may decompensate and have psychotic symptoms, but these are usually brief. 

Do not assume that you or someone you know suffers through this disorder, it’s best to seek help of a professional. 

 
Treatment. 
 
A Psychiatrist can make an assessment and help the individual understand whether he suffers from Schizotypal personality disorder. A Counselor works to engage the individual in therapies that will help in identifying and changing distorted thought patterns, learning specific social skills, and modifying problem behaviour. A Counselor can also provide sessions for family members, which may help in reduce the fighting or emotional distance and improve trust in the home. A referral to a medical practitioner such as a psychiatrist might be necessary for adequate treatment. Counseling would provide supportive help. 

If you would like to discuss this further or need some help or support in this or any other area, our counsellors would be happy to help. 
 
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