A pattern of social/interpersonal deficits marked by acute discomfort with close relationships describes which disorder's diagnostic criteria?

• A. Schizoid Personality Disorder
• B. Schizotypal (Personality) Disorder
• C. Delusional Disorder
• D. Avoidant Personality Disorder

Answer: (B)

This pattern highlights schizotypal personality disorder. The hallmark is an ongoing pattern of social and interpersonal deficits accompanied by acute discomfort in close relationships, along with unusual ways of thinking or perceiving the world and eccentric behavior. People with this disorder often experience suspiciousness or odd beliefs, and may have perceptual distortions or magical thinking that makes forming and maintaining close relationships particularly challenging.

Understanding how this differs helps connect the dots: schizoid personality disorder centers on a pervasive detachment and indifference to others, not marked by distress in relationships. Avoidant personality disorder involves fear of rejection that leads to social inhibition, which is driven more by anxiety about negative evaluation than by cognitive or perceptual oddities. Delusional disorder features fixed, false beliefs without the broader pattern of social awkwardness or eccentricities seen in schizotypal personality disorder.