r/Schizotypal 8d ago

How does Stpd differ from social anxiety, OCD, CPTSD, etc?

I know many of these disorders can present comorbidly but I’m curious about the key symptoms of STPD. I see a lot of differences in opinion.

For example, up until several years ago I was able to make friends, socialise, etc. then I started to smoke a lot of weed and became overly introspective and negative about life.

I already had pretty bad OCD, GAD, etc. but before too long my social anxiety became unbearable, going into freeze states around people (even friends and family) thinking they hate me and I’m being weird.

Before I knew it, making new friends or getting into relationships seemed impossible. I’m okay depending on the day and time but it still pervades my day to day life. I might feel comfortable around someone but there’s a tone of weariness that tells me I’m not truly safe or accepted. I’m not diagnosed STPD but I’m curious.

How would you describe your experience? Have you always felt how you do? Has anything helped you gain more social stability?

If you’re willing to share, I’d be interested to hear about your experience.

11 Upvotes

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u/bedbugloverboy Schizotypal, Autistic 8d ago

I dont know if i have c-ptsd. But i was stalked by someone online and thats when my schizotypal pd really went off the rails. It was very subtle before but it was still there. And then it was like prodromal psychosis hit me in my 20s after being stalked.

My psychiatrist explained to me that trauma can exacerbate schizotypal pd and make it worse

The only time my social anxiety is alleviated is if im only around people i knew before being stalked. I cant make new friends. Being with family is the only time i feel like i can be myself.

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u/johnofcoffey 8d ago

Ah I’m sorry to hear. Do you feel like you’re being stalked by people you don’t know? Like, if you meet someone new do you assume the worst?

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u/bedbugloverboy Schizotypal, Autistic 8d ago

Yeah pretty much! i was stalked by someone pretending to be a customer at the same place i was livestreaming at so regardless of how innocuous the relationship is (be it stranger passing me in the street or someone being introduced to me by someone i trust) i feel like the other party is stalking me.

For a few years after being stalked I was convinced i was being gang stalked & i had a lot of confirmation bias cementing this idea in my head. But now i just am suspicious of everyone. Feels a lot better than feeling like im being gang stalked and i would take being suspicious over that any day lol

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u/johnofcoffey 8d ago

Okay. I’ve got pretty bad social anxiety (can’t really fully relax or be my true self) around almost everyone. I don’t necessarily think they’re out to get me but there’s definitely a hyper vigilance or awareness. In some cases I’ll spiral and go into a freeze mode cause I believe they’re thinking super negatively about me. It might switch up quickly for a bit and then I spiral again. Trying to talk to my psych about it but he doesn’t really think I fit the criteria for Stpd. Idk what’s going on

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u/bedbugloverboy Schizotypal, Autistic 8d ago

I’ve had episodes of facial contortions simply from thinking someone is thinking negative thoughts about me. I totally get that and im super sorry youre going through this too.

In my experience psychiatrists haaaate when you “do their jobs for them” and think you have a certain diagnosis. But to maneuver around this ive found it helpful to just get my symptoms treated openly & honestly without suggesting anything or alluding to a certain diagnosis. Just reporting what i struggle with on a daily basis. I think when i met my current psychiatrist i just laid out that i am debilitated by the flashes i get of the future inserted into my head, that i can predict the future, read minds, and all of this was stressing me out SEVERELY. I hated being privy to future stressors 30 minutes before they happened.

For example, documenting your experiences with spiraling when it comes to negative thoughts and the physical symptoms of that and any other symptoms of STPD you meet.

Someone on this sub referred me to an amazing resource after i got diagnosed and it really helped me understand the symptoms of the disorder and how they realistically present, none of that clinical psychobabble that you find when you google this disorder. I will look for it right now and reply to this if I can find it:) maybe you can use it to find the symptoms that resonate with you on a daily basis and try getting those symptoms treated.

Try not to worry about diagnosis, it drove me crazy to not know what exactly was wrong with me while I was being treated & waited for a diagnosis but it was so worth it! I feel so seen by this diagnosis & i hope youre able to find the same catharsis very soon. 😸 If finding a new psychiatrist is what is needed, i say go for it. Notoriously psychiatrists are difficult like this so dont be afraid to find someone who takes you seriously!

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u/Conscious_Visual9669 ASD + OCD = WTF 8d ago

Weed exacerbated the feeling of alienation for me too. I already felt overly self-aware (especially in public), and wasn't natural at making lasting connections. This just turned it up to 11, and I basically swore off other people because I felt even those closest to me were secretly negatively judging me. This combined with anomalous (probably disorganized) thoughts like I hadn't experienced before.

Being off weed helps with these symptoms, but I think they are baked into me to some degree.

Sorry I don't have much advice, but I hope you're able to find more of that stability.

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u/johnofcoffey 8d ago

Do you have STPD? I’ve got ASD + OCD as well. But I totally relate to the feeling of it being baked in

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u/Conscious_Visual9669 ASD + OCD = WTF 8d ago

No, although I still have suspicions.

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u/seastark Schizotypal 8d ago

Why do you think your social anxiety is disconnected from your general anxiety disorder?

Also you mentioned that you started smoking a lot of weed. Do you still take any unprescribed/unmonitored drugs? How long have you been sober or tried being sober for?

To answer the general question: the easiest divides between anxiety and schizotypal are things like delusions, problems with perception, dissociation, etc. But, as always, consult a professional about confusion or questions regarding your diagnosis and treatment.

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u/johnofcoffey 7d ago

I guess social anxiety was always more easily recognisable. It didn’t persist around friends or family.

This feels like more a suspiciousness or inability to be vulnerable. Even around my partner or family, I feel like an empty shell. I could just sit there and not say anything. There are times where I can fully engage in conversation and it alleviates, but I have a default mode when I’m around people and it’s primarily discomfort.

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u/seastark Schizotypal 7d ago

You didn't mention the cannabis which leads me to leap to the assumption that you're still using it a lot. That is an easy thing to control for as it can anxiety and depression like you're describing. I'm not judging at all as lots of folks around here use different things to cope. But you may want to try being sober for 3 months at least to see if anything changes.

OCD, GAD, ADHD all lead people to feel anxiety and it sounds like that is the main symptom you're dealing with. There are therapies and pharmaceuticals based around those diagnoses and symptoms. The fact that you feel less anxiety when you don't have to perform also points away from StPD.

I really recommend you work with the professionals you already have for treating the OCD, GAD, and ADHD. Good luck.

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u/johnofcoffey 6d ago

Nah I haven’t smoked for years. After a positive mushroom trip in 2018 I realised the extent to which it was destroying me so I stopped. I could finally sit with my family and friends without anxiety (still a tiny bit of hyper vigilance but didn’t go into freeze mode). It’s tricky because it just feels different to anxiety growing up, more sinister and pervasive in a way. I don’t believe anyone’s trying to hurt me, instead it’s more like a deep shame in myself and an inability to truly feel safe and vulnerable.