[AngstyLady]

This is me all the way! :
Schizotypal Personality Disorder Symptoms | Psych Central

I really haven't had the emotional capacity to ever have more than a few friends- and it's so easy to be distant from people. Sure, I can be quite intense and connect on a very deep level, but it's exhausting and I get overwhelmed easily when trying to maintain too many relationships (like over 5 or 6 close friendships)
I've thought perhaps in the past this is how I am but only now am I accepting it.
It does make interpersonal relations difficult, as well as my work life and everyday life.

Granted, I don't think I' have as much anxiety as I used to, but it's definitely easier for me to keep people at arms length, so to speak.
Which might explain my propensity for having a semi addiction to the internet and being more vocal online about my opinions and such than in person.

[hamster-bamster]

These are insightful thoughts.

I would be cautious attributing your being more vocal online than in person to the personality disorder. It seems that a whole big chunk of the population are more vocal online. They cannot all fit the schizotypal PD profile. So something else must be at play.

[SmileHere]

How is this different from psychosis/schizophrenia? A 'milder' form?

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by SmileHere

How is this different from psychosis/schizophrenia? A 'milder' form?

very different. It is a PD, that is, an Axis II diagnosis, whereas psychosis and schizophrenia are on Axis I.

[RedEagle]

Originally Posted by AngstyLady

This is me all the way! :
Schizotypal Personality Disorder Symptoms | Psych Central

I really haven't had the emotional capacity to ever have more than a few friends- and it's so easy to be distant from people. Sure, I can be quite intense and connect on a very deep level, but it's exhausting and I get overwhelmed easily when trying to maintain too many relationships (like over 5 or 6 close friendships)
I've thought perhaps in the past this is how I am but only now am I accepting it.
It does make interpersonal relations difficult, as well as my work life and everyday life.

Granted, I don't think I' have as much anxiety as I used to, but it's definitely easier for me to keep people at arms length, so to speak.
Which might explain my propensity for having a semi addiction to the internet and being more vocal online about my opinions and such than in person.

Doesn't sound like you have it at all. Someone with Schizotypal would never say anxiety wasn't a big factor in their life.

[tealBumblebee]

I don't know if you do or not. Of course I suggest getting that confirmed by a professional (it was actually one of the pd's i never even considered having lol) but if it is; it's not the end of the world. I was diagnosed Schizotypal about a year ago. Only met a few (online at that) and we're a pretty cool bit.

[The_little_didgee]

I need to point out that a lot of the schizotypal symptoms resemble autism spectrum disorder or ASD.

Originally Posted by SmileHere

How is this different from psychosis/schizophrenia? A 'milder' form?

I have wondered about this, because I had a psychosis. I've recovered but I'm left with some lingering symptoms that seem to fit the schizotypal PD diagnosis.

[The_little_didgee]

Originally Posted by tealBumblebee

I don't know if you do or not. Of course I suggest getting that confirmed by a professional (it was actually one of the pd's i never even considered having lol) but if it is; it's not the end of the world. I was diagnosed Schizotypal about a year ago. Only met a few (online at that) and we're a pretty cool bit.

What are your psychotic symptoms?

[tealBumblebee]

Originally Posted by The_little_didgee

What are your psychotic symptoms?

I don't have psychotic symptoms. And actually, I believe thats one of the distinguishing things between schizophrenia and schizotypal personality. I do agree though that from what i've read there is a close resemblance to aspergers (sp?) (but they are not the same; just as it isn't the same as schizophrenia).

[AngstyLady]

Originally Posted by RedEagle

Doesn't sound like you have it at all. Someone with Schizotypal would never say anxiety wasn't a big factor in their life.

You're right, actually, I was thinking the same thing, I think I definitely perceive things wrong sometimes(Cognitive distortions are common, I'm gonna try to find the link to the article sometime and post it), usually because of an over active mind/ anxiety (being too sensitive).

[RedEagle]

Originally Posted by AngstyLady

You're right, actually, I was thinking the same thing, I think I definitely perceive things wrong sometimes(Cognitive distortions are common, I'm gonna try to find the link to the article sometime and post it), usually because of an over active mind/ anxiety (being too sensitive).

Yeah I do too. I've got problems with cognition and everything too which is a shame because I used to be really into school and reading and stuff.