Who is at risk for schizotypal personality disorder?

People who have a family history of mental illness, and those who are exposed to certain environmental factors, are more likely to develop schizotypal personality disorder. Like most personality disorders, schizotypal personal disorder does not have a known cause. Experts believe that it may stem from abnormal social development in childhood. Emotional, physical, and sexual abuse during childhood may also lead to the development of this disorder. Like many mental disorders, heredity plays a role too. The Mayo Clinic reports that people with a family history of  schizophrenia are more likely to have schizotypal personality disorder than the general population.