A patient presents with odd beliefs about magical things and difficulty making friends due to their eccentric behavior. What personality disorder do they likely have?

The characteristics described in the scenario align closely with schizotypal personality disorder. This disorder is characterized by an enduring pattern of social and interpersonal deficits, along with cognitive or perceptual distortions and eccentricities of behavior. A patient with schizotypal personality disorder may hold odd beliefs or magical thinking—such as superstitions or the belief that certain objects have special powers—leading to difficulties in social interactions and forming friendships due to their eccentric behavior.

In contrast, schizoid personality disorder primarily involves a pervasive pattern of detachment from social relationships and a limited range of emotional expression, so a patient with this disorder would be more likely to show social withdrawal and lack of interest in forming relationships, rather than exhibiting magical thinking. Antisocial personality disorder involves a disregard for the rights of others and a lack of empathy, which does not correlate with magical beliefs or eccentric behavior. Histrionic personality disorder is characterized by excessive emotionality and attention-seeking, which also diverges from the presentation of odd beliefs and social difficulties described in the scenario.

Given these factors, the diagnosis of schizotypal personality disorder is the most fitting and explains the patient's magical beliefs and social challenges.