WBR0545

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Author [[PageAuthor::Serge Korjian M.D. (Reviewed by Serge Korjian)]]
Exam Type ExamType::USMLE Step 1
Main Category MainCategory::Behavioral Science/Psychiatry
Sub Category SubCategory::General Principles
Prompt [[Prompt::A 42-year-old man has been living alone for the past 20 years. His neighbors have always noticed that the man has unusual habits, spending most of his time collecting leaves and burning them in his backyard while chanting. He speaks a weird form of English he calls Janglo which he claims is the language he uses to contact magical creatures from a parallel world. He admits he has never seen or heard from these creatures but he believes they exist. The man is not very fond of socializing although he does not mind being around people. What is the most likely disorder present in this man?]]
Answer A AnswerA::Schizotypal personality disorder
Answer A Explanation AnswerAExp::Schizotypal personality disorder fits this man's description closely. Schizotypal personality disorder is characterized by weird and eccentric appearance, magical beliefs, bizarre fantasies or preoccupations, and odd thinking and speech.
Answer B AnswerB::Schizoid personality disorder
Answer B Explanation [[AnswerBExp::Schizoid personality disorder is characterized by voluntary social withdrawal and indifference. The patient neither desires nor enjoys close relationships, and almost always chooses solitary activities. Other features include anhedonia, intimacy avoidance, and restricted affectivity.]]
Answer C AnswerC::Schizophrenia
Answer C Explanation [[AnswerCExp::Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that usually presents with auditory hallucinations, bizzare often paranoid delusions, and disorganized thinking and speech. Patients also experience overall social, personal, emotional and intellectual decline usually showing social withdrawal, bad hygiene, loss of judgment and anhedonia. The diagnosis of schizophrenia is usually made if symptoms are present for more than 1 year.]]
Answer D AnswerD::Schizophreniform disorder
Answer D Explanation AnswerDExp::Schizophreniform disorder has the same features as schizophrenia but it is usually lasts between 1 and 6 months. It increases the risk for developing schizophrenia later on.
Answer E AnswerE::Acute psychotic episode
Answer E Explanation AnswerEExp::Acute psychotic episode is also similar to schizophrenia but lasts less than 1 month.
Right Answer RightAnswer::A
Explanation [[Explanation::Schizotypal personality disorder is a pervasive pattern of being usually beginning in early adulthood characterized by weird and eccentric appearance, magical beliefs, bizarre fantasies or preoccupations, and odd thinking and speech. Patients can also have some form of social withdrawal, lack of friends, and inappropriate affect. Patients with schizotypal personality disorder do not have visual or auditory hallucinations, and not have social, personal, and intellectual decline seen in patients with schizophrenia.

Educational Objective: Schizotypal personality disorder is characterized by weird and eccentric appearance, magical beliefs, and bizzare preoccupations. Patients usually do not have visual or auditory hallucinations.
References: American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA:American Psychiatric Publishing.]]

Approved Approved::Yes
Keyword WBRKeyword::Schizotypal personality disorder, WBRKeyword::Schizophrenia, WBRKeyword::Cluster A, WBRKeyword::Personality disorders
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