Schizotypal personality disorder

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Risk factors

By Mayo Clinic staff

Personality development is mostly affected by genetic tendencies. Environmental factors, such as stressful childhood experiences, also may play a role. Factors that increase the risk of developing the schizotypal personality disorder include:

  • Having a relative who has schizophrenia
  • Living in a childhood environment of deprivation or neglect
  • Experiencing child abuse or mistreatment
  • Undergoing a childhood trauma
  • Having an emotionally detached parent
References
  1. Skodol AE. Longitudinal course and outcome of personality disorders. Psychiatric Clinics of North America. 2008;31(3):495-503, viii.
  2. Skodol AE, et al. Positive childhood experiences: Resilience and recovery from personality disorder in early adulthood. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. 2007;68(7):1102-1108.
  3. Pfohl B. Personality disorders. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 12, 2008.
  4. Schizotypal Personality Disorder. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 4th ed. Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association Publishing; 2000.
  5. Personality disorders. Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec07/ch105/ch105a.html. Accessed Aug. 1, 2008.
  6. Hall-Flavin D (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Aug. 18, 2008.

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Oct. 10, 2008

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