Schizotypal disorder is characterized by:

Appeared in: Combined AIIMS - 2020 (Jodhpur, Bhopal, Patna, Raipur)

Explanation

Severe and excessive social anxiety is a core diagnostic criterion for Schizotypal Personality Disorder (STPD).
This anxiety is pervasive, does not decrease with familiarity, and is typically associated with paranoid fears rather than negative self-image.
The intense discomfort in social settings leads to a reduced capacity for close relationships and significant interpersonal deficits.
This feature distinguishes it from schizoid personality disorder, where social withdrawal stems from a lack of interest rather than anxiety.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

Option B: Manic attacks are the defining characteristic of Bipolar I Disorder, not Schizotypal Personality Disorder.
Option C: While individuals with any personality disorder can have an increased risk for suicidal ideation, especially with comorbid depression, it is not a core diagnostic feature of Schizotypal Personality Disorder itself.
Option D: Frank, persistent hallucinations are a hallmark symptom of Schizophrenia. Schizotypal disorder involves less severe perceptual disturbances, such as illusions or sensing a presence, not full-blown hallucinations.

Related Visual

A chart comparing the key features of Cluster A personality disorders Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal and Schizophrenia to highlight the differences in social behavior, though...

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Characteristics of Schizotypal Personality Disorder as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses caring for patients with STPD should adopt a patient, non-judgmental, and straightforward approach to build trust, as these individuals are often suspicious and anxious.
It is crucial to respect the patient's need for personal space and social isolation while gently encouraging participation in activities that do not require intense social interaction.
What if? If a patient with STPD experiences a brief psychotic episode under stress (with transient hallucinations or delusions), the nursing priority shifts to ensuring safety, providing reality orientation, and administering short-term antipsychotic medications as prescribed. This is a known complication of STPD.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept of the question, which is the defining characteristics of 'Schizotypal disorder'.
Recall the classification of personality disorders. Schizotypal is a Cluster A ('odd, eccentric') disorder, closely related to schizophrenia but less severe.
Evaluate each option against the known diagnostic criteria for Schizotypal Personality Disorder (STPD).
Option A, 'Severe social anxiety,' is a key feature listed in the DSM-5 for STPD.
Option B, 'Manic attacks,' is the hallmark of Bipolar Disorder.
Option D, 'Hallucinations,' is a primary symptom of Schizophrenia. STPD has perceptual distortions, which are milder.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Characteristics of Schizotypal Personality Disorder
Stem keywords: Schizotypal disorder, characterized by
Lead-in keywords: BEST, MOST RELEVANT CLUE
Negative lead-in flag: false

Question ID

Q7EQLzx67AanSU-AU4i70

Reference Book

E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) pp. 7195-7197, 5217-5219

E6 Kaplan Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry-2022 (pp 1-3768 of 3768) p. 1785-1787

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