Personality disorders are enduring patterns of behavior and inner experiences that deviate substantially from the person’s culture. While these disorders are diagnosed in adulthood, signs are seen in childhood.
Schizotypal personality disorder is a combination of social deficits and schizophrenia. People with this disorder:
1. Have odd thoughts, beliefs and ways of expressing themselves.
2. Their appearance is odd.
3. They have no close friends or relationships outside the family and intense social anxiety keeps them from making friends.
4. Their emotional presentation is flat or restricted in terms of expressions.
If your child is ignored, is out of step with or isolated by their classmates and peers, this may be the beginnings of this disorder. A peer group is a thermometer of a kid’s social and emotional health. If they don’t belong to a group, it could signal a problem. Don’t ignore it. Get your child help.
Claudia
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