those symptoms that seem to characterize nonpsychotic patients with

schizophrenic-like disorders. In addition to social detachment, emphasis is placed on

eccentricity and cognitive or perceptual distortions. (Oltmanns, T.F. & Emery, R.E.

2014, p. 249)
The very definition of schizotypal personality disorder seems to embody Luna
Lovegood of the Harry Potter series (both the movie and book). In my perspective, Luna
seems to clash against the standards set by societal norms . The first indication that Luna
Lovegood does not necessarily fit in at Hogwarts or within the characters of the movie is
that her introduction is not as Luna Lovegood but rather Looney Lovegood which
others have nicknamed her for her non-conformal ways and odd thinking . Luna,
throughout the Harry Potter movies and the books, is portrayed as a character who is
grossly immersed in her magical thoughts , her conspiracies and mythical creatures that
nobody but her seem to believe in. Another faucet that links Luna to schizotypal is that
she seems to live her life in isolations and has very few friends and even has trouble
considering Harry a friend in a scene when Harry tries to accompany her. However,
similar to schizotypal personality disorder, and unlike full-blown schizophrenia, there is
no actual break from reality. I think that is really important to note; Luna does not have a
complete break from reality and though her behaviors and imagination get the best of her,
they are not sufficiently real or compelling to be considered hallucinations (Oltmanns ,
T.F. & Emery, R.E. ,2014, p. 239). Luna, though she has a different way of thinking

and can sometimes be seen wandering halls mumbling to herself, is fully capable of
understanding the troubles that exist within the walls Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and
Wizardry and even able to fight in the infamous war against Voldemort when the time
comes
Though this disorder doesnt reach to a point of psychosis, the schizotypal
personality disorder is often associated with an emotional deficit, in which those
diagnosed will respond to certain situations in inappropriate ways. In this case, Luna,
unlike others who are simply distraught by the idea of death, can easily speak to someone
about the death of her mother. One could argue that she simply has had time to grieve
and is no longer emotionally invested but being that she witnessed her mothers death I
find it rather disturbing that she can change the subject with the slight shrug of her
shoulders. Besides the lack of emotion for her own mothers death she doesnt
acknowledge the death that Harry witnessed of his parents when they are talking about
thestrals and simply moves on to the next subject without any hesitance indicating the
absence of empathy, as well. For Luna I think that is one of the biggest detriments to her
life caused by schizotypal in which she has trouble connecting with others due to her
emotional shortcomings.
Lunas mother died at a very young age which could be stressing and traumatic
time for any child who believed their mother to be a role model as Luna had, which is
expressed when she describes her mother to Harry Potter as quite extraordinary witch,
you know, but she did like to experiment and one of her spells went rather badly wrong

one day. Another huge factor that may also have a hand in why Luna embodies this
personality disorder could be her father. Lunas father, Xexenophilius Lovegood, was
introduced in the movie as an eccentric man who was on the verge of being out of touch
with reality, displaying a higher degree of schizotypal disorder but not quite
schizophrenia. Research has indicated that genetics play an influential role on the
ethology of schizotypal personality disorder and as the book explains that The most
striking and consistent finding has been an increased prevalence of schizotypal
personality disorder among the relatives of the schizophrenic patients (Oltmanns , T.F.
& Emery, R.E. ,2014, p. 250). This seems to explain the eccentric behavior and the
peculiar thoughts that seem to be persistent within the Lovegood family line . Her father
may also play a hand in her development besides the genetic role ; kids replicate the
behaviors of those around them. Luna may have never learned the social skills to avoid
isolation when she was younger with being surrounded by a father who was engrossed
with own crazy ideas in a remote area and without the care of her mother who died so
early on. The past seems to have quite an impact on Luna but I think her present life also
has stressors that can affect her mental health. For one, I do not think that Luna should
live with her father, who as the publisher of Quibbler will continue to express his
idiosyncratic beliefs. I think the best thing for her would be stay away from the
environment that has played a large hand in the etiology of her disorder.
In terms of treatment, those diagnosed with schizotypal often do not seek
treatment for they feel that their behaviors and thoughts are justified, just as Luna does

with her acceptance of herself. Another treatment route are low doses of antipsychotic
medication due to schizotypal symptoms being relatively similar to those of
schizophrenic patients. However, I do not feel that it would be in Lunas best interest, as
of now, to not be prescribed antipsychotic medication for one, she might discontinue
them due to horrid side effects of restlessness and two, her behavior has not reached a
psychotic phase in which she is a detriment to others or even herself. With than in mind I
understand that the The long-term prognosis is less optimistic for schizotypal and
schizoid personality disorders. People with these diagnoses are likely to remain socially
isolated and occupationally impaired. Therefore I recommend that Luna undergo
Cognitive Behavior Therapy a type of psychotherapy and seek help for social skill
training. For Luna I think the Cognitive Behavioral therapy will best help her understand
how to behave around others in a social environment instead isolating herself. Often
those diagnosed with schizotypal undergo family based therapy for continues family
support but in this case I think that would only exacerbate Lunas condition because
being around her fathers crazy beliefs might just inspire her further.
I think that Luna Lovegood portrayed schizotypal personality disorder very well
however I do think she might have been a little too in touch with reality. But disorders as
such are not based on a concrete measurement but rather fall on a spectrum in terms of
severity and in this case, Luna was mildly affected by schizotypal. I think for it to be
more of a concrete diagnosis, I would have preferred to see that Luna was a bit more
emotionally inept. For example, during Dobbys funeral she was more attuned to her

emotions than a schizotypal patient would be when she closes Dobbys eyes out of
respect and gives him a eulogy. Another thing that could have been portrayed to make
Luna more convincing as a schizotypal patients would have been if she was comorbid
with borderline and avoidant disorder with maybe mood or temperament issues. Despite
the little discrepancies between Luna and schizotypal personality disorder, I believe that
Luna Lovegood of Harry Potter would by categorized by the DSM-5 as having moderate
levels of schizotypal.

Works Cited
Oltmanns, T.F. & Emery, R.E. (2014). Abnormal psychology (8th ed.). Boston, MA:
Pearson.