believe that they have magical control over  others, which can be implemented directly
(e.g., believing that their spouse’s taking the do g out for a walk is the direct result of think-
ing an hour earlier it should be done) or in directly through compli ance with magical rit-
uals (e.g., walking past a specific object three times to avoid a certain harmful outcome).
Perceptual alterations may be present (e.g., se nsing that another person is present or hear-
ing a voice murmuring his or her name) (Criterion A3). Their speech may include unusual
or idiosyncratic phrasing and construction. It is often loose, digressive, or vague, but with-
out actual derailment or incoherence (Criteri on A4). Responses can be either overly con-
crete or overly abstract, and words or conc epts are sometimes applied in unusual ways
(e.g., the individual may state that he  or she was not “talkable” at work).
Individuals with this disorder are often suspicious and may have paranoid ideation
(e.g., believing their colleagues at work ar e intent on undermining their reputation with
the boss) (Criterion A5). They are usually not able to negotiate the fu ll range of affects and
interpersonal cuing required fo r successful relationships and thus often appear to interact
with others in an inappropriate, stiff, or constricted fashion (Criterion A6). These individ-
uals are often considered to be odd or ecce ntric because of unusual mannerisms, an often
unkempt manner of dress that does not quite “fit together,” and inattention to the usual
social conventions (e.g., the in dividual may avoid eye contact, wear clothes that are ink
stained and ill-fitting, and be unable to join in the give-and-take banter of co-workers)