Schizotypal Personality disorder

When is it time to get help?

Like many other mental health and personality disorders, people with schizotypal personality disorder don’t always see that they have a problem – this may be suggested by family, friends, colleagues, etc. However, if you have this personality disorder, then you are likely finding it very difficult to maintain healthy relationships, or even interact with others, which is important to more easily navigate your way in this world. Although this is not schizophrenia, schizotypal personality disorder mimics schizophrenia in that reality can be distorted and you may feel paranoid. This can often lead to issues with anxiety or depression.

If you find these symptoms to be affecting you, and especially if you’ve been told by others that you may have a “problem”, then you would likely benefit from obtaining some support.

Schizotypal personality disorder treatment methods

Treatment methods that may be effective in treating schizotypal personality disorder include:

• Acceptance and commitment therapy encourages clients to accept the difficulties and misfortunes of life. Clients learn coping techniques to not dwell on negative emotions by staying in the present.
• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based approach to treatment that focuses on how people’s thoughts, emotions, and beliefs influence their behaviour and how they perceive themselves.
• Psychotherapy is a broad term that encompasses numerous styles of therapy and uses verbal or nonverbal communication with a client to help treat psychiatric problems, behavioral issues, personality disorders, and various other types of emotional distress. This form of personal counselling is based on an interpersonal relationship, as opposed to the alternative chemical or physical forms of therapy.
• Strategic family therapy is a type of therapy where the therapist is a problem-solver and focuses on finding solutions to client’s challenges.
• Structural family therapy involves looking at the structures within the family unit. Changing the underlying structure tends to cause a ripple effect on the family. This therapy analyzes the hierarchical structure, subsystems, and boundaries within the family.

To choose the right combination of treatments, an assessment will first be done. Together with your therapist, you’ll find the treatment method that best suits your unique personality and circumstances.