Posted by ed_uk on May 28, 2005, at 14:48:52
In reply to Re: Is anyone scared of their pdoc?, posted by Camille Dumont on May 28, 2005, at 13:36:04
Hi Camille,
>No, they diagnosed me with schizoid personality disorder.
Sorry, I assumed they'd diagnosed schizotypal disorder due to the visual pseudo-hallucinations.
>In a way I think schizotypal PD is closer to schizophrenia..............
I think you're right. Schizotypal personality disorder (a DSM diagnosis) is officially called 'schizotypal disorder' in Europe (the ICD manual)- it's classified among the psychotic disorders (and not the personality disorders as in the DSM). AFAIK, the criteria for schizotypal disorder were created by observing the behavior of relatives of schizophrenics. Schizotypal disorder is sometimes considered to be a 'milder version' of schizophrenia. Many years ago, autism was considered to be related to schizophrenia- this idea has been abandonned.
Here are the European (ICD) criteria for schizotypal disorder...............
Schizotypal Disorder
A disorder characterized by eccentric behaviour and anomalies of thinking and affect which resemble those seen in schizophrenia, thought no definite and characteristic schizophrenic anomalies have occurred at any stage. There is no dominant or typical disturbance, but any of the following may be present:
(a) inappropriate or constricted affect (the individual appears cold and aloof);
(b) behaviour or appearance that is odd, eccentric, or peculiar;
(c) poor rapport with others and a tendency to social withdrawal;
(d) odd beliefs or magical thinking, influencing behaviour and inconsistent with subcultural norms;
(e) suspiciousness or paranoid ideas;
(f) obsessive ruminations without inner resistance, often with dysmorphophobic, sexual or aggressive contents;
(g) unusual perceptual experiences including somatosensory (bodily) or other illusions, depersonalization or derealization;
(h) vague, circumstantial, metaphorical, overelaborate, or stereotyped thinking, manifested by odd speech or in other ways, without gross incoherence;
(i) occasional transient quasi-psychotic episodes with intense illusions, auditory or other hallucinations, and delusion-like ideas, usually occurring without external provocation.The disorder runs a chronic course with fluctuations of intensity. Occasionally it evolves into overt schizophrenia. There is no definite onset and its evolution and course are usually those of a personality disorder. It is more common in individuals related to schizophrenics and is believed to be part of the genetic "spectrum" of schizophrenia.
Diagnostic Guidelines
This diagnostic rubric is not recommended for general use because it is not clearly demarcated either from simple schizophrenia or from schizoid or paranoid personality disorders. If the term is used, three or four of the typical features listed above should have been present, continuously or episodically, for at least 2 years. The individual must never have met criteria for schizophrenia itself. A history of schizophrenia in a first-degree relative gives additional weight to the diagnosis but is not a prerequisite.The European (ICD) criteria for schizoid personality disorder...........
Schizoid Personality Disorder
Personality disorder characterized by at least 3 of the following:
(a) few, if any, activities, provide pleasure;
(b) emotional coldness, detachment or flattened affectivity;
(c) limited capacity to express either warm, tender feelings or anger towards others;
(d) apparent indifference to either praise or criticism;
(e) little interest in having sexual experiences with another person (taking into account age);
(f) almost invariable preference for solitary activities;
(g) excessive preoccupation with fantasy and introspection;
(h) lack of close friends or confiding relationships (or having only one) and of desire for such relationships;
(i) marked insensitivity to prevailing social norms and conventions.
Kind regards,
Ed.
poster:ed_uk
thread:503098
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050527/msgs/504258.html