Cluster A Personality Disorders

Cluster A personality disorders (PDs) are three mental health conditions that involve odd and eccentric thinking or behaviors. They include:

• Paranoid personality disorder (PPD): The main feature of PPD is paranoia. You may believe others are trying to demean, harm or threaten you without sufficient evidence.
• Schizoid personality disorder (ScPD): ScPD involves a general lack of interest in relationships. You may have a limited range of emotions when interacting with others.
• Schizotypal personality disorder (STPD): STPD involves intense discomfort and distress in social situations. You may have distorted views of reality, like magical beliefs.

It’s possible to have more than one of these conditions. For example, people with schizoid personality disorder tend to have paranoid personality disorder, as well.

These lifelong behaviors and thinking patterns can cause distress in many areas of your life, like work and relationships. Talk therapy can help manage the symptoms. But you may not think there’s an issue with how you relate to others.

Characteristics of Cluster A personality disorders

Each Cluster A personality disorder has its own symptoms. But these PDs share certain personality traits, which begin by early adulthood. To others, people with personality disorders in this cluster generally appear:

• To have odd or eccentric behavior
• Socially awkward
• Aloof or detached
• To have thoughts that are out of the ordinary
• To have poor self-awareness

If you have one of these conditions, you may feel social distrust or disinterest. You may have difficulty forming close relationships.

Cluster A personality disorder causes

Healthcare providers don’t know the exact cause of Cluster A personality disorders. Research suggests that it’s complex and may involve many factors, like genetics and childhood experiences.

Compared to other clusters, Cluster A PDs may have stronger genetic ties. People with Cluster A personality disorders are more likely to have a biological relative with schizophrenia.

Experiencing emotional extremes in childhood may play a role, too. For example, you may have had caregivers who had frequent emotional outbursts or a lack of emotions.

How doctors diagnose these conditions

Healthcare providers use criteria in the DSM-5 to diagnose Cluster A personality disorders. Each PD has specific criteria. Providers ask questions about your medical, personal and social history to guide the diagnosis.

This can be difficult. Most people living with personality disorders may not seek help. Mental health professionals may work with loved ones to gather more information.

How is it treated?

Talk therapy can help manage Cluster A personality disorders. You’ll work with a mental health professional, like a psychologist. They can provide support and education to you and your family. They’ll help you learn healthier ways of working through emotions and relationships.

There are several types of talk therapy. Some types may work better than others for certain Cluster A PDs.

Currently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t approve any medications to treat personality disorders directly. But medications such as low-dose antipsychotics may be helpful if you have schizotypal personality disorder. You may also take medications for other conditions you have, like depression and anxiety.

What can I expect if I have this condition?

The outlook for Cluster A personality disorders varies. It depends on symptom severity and your willingness to get treatment.

If you have a Cluster A personality disorder, you may:

• Find school, work or close relationships more challenging
• Find it harder to reach goals
• Have strained relationships or a lack of them
• Have an increased risk of other mental health conditions, like depression and substance use disorder

But with treatment, it’s possible to improve your quality of life.