Paranoid personality disorder is a psychiatric condition in which a person is very distrustful and suspicious of others.
Alternative NamesPersonality disorder - paranoid
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsPersonality disorders are long-term (chronic) patterns of behavior that cause lasting problems with work and relationships.
The cause of paranoid personality disorder is unknown. It appears to be more common in families with psychotic disorders such as schizophreniaand delusional disorder, which suggests genes may be involved.
SymptomsPeople with paranoid personality disorder are highly suspicious of other people. They are usually unable to acknowledge their own negative feelings towards other people.
Other common symptoms include:
Personality disorders are diagnosed based on psychological evaluation and the history and severity of the symptoms.
TreatmentTreatment is difficult because people with this condition are often extremely suspicious of doctors. If accepted, medications and talk therapy can both be effective.
Expectations (prognosis)Therapy can limit the impact of the paranoia on the person's daily functioning.
ComplicationsIf suspicions are interfering with your relationships or work, contact a health care provider or mental health professional.
ReferencesMoore DP, Jefferson JW. Paranoid personality disorder. In: Moore DP, Jefferson JW, eds. Handbook of Medical Psychiatry. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2004: chap 134.
Satterfield JM, Feldman MD. Paranoid personality disorder. In: Ferri FF, ed. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2008: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment. 1st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2008.
Paranoid personality disorder is a psychiatric condition in which a person has a long-term distrust and suspicion of others, but does not have a full-blown psychotic disorder such as schizophrenia.
Alternative NamesPersonality disorder - paranoid
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsThe causes of paranoid personality disorder are unknown. The disorder appears to be more common in families with psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia and delusional disorder, which suggests genes may be involved. However, environmental factors may play a role, as well.
The condition appears to be more common in men.
SymptomsPeople with paranoid personality disorder are highly suspicious of other people. As a result, people with this condition severely limit their social lives.
They often feel that they are in danger, and look for evidence to support their suspicions. People with this disorder have trouble seeing that their distrustfulness is out of proportion to their environment.
Common symptoms include:
Like other personality disorders, paranoid personality disorder is diagnosed based on a psychological evaluation and the history and severity of the symptoms.
TreatmentTreatment is difficult because people with this condition are often very suspicious of doctors. If treatment is accepted, talk therapy and medications can often be effective.
Expectations (prognosis)The outlook usually depends on whether the person is willing to accept help. Therapy and medications can reduce paranoia and limit its impact on the person's daily functioning.
ComplicationsIf suspicions are interfering with your relationships or work, contact a health care provider or mental health professional.
ReferencesBlais MA, Smallwood P, Groves JE, Rivas-Vazquez RA. Personality and personality disorders. In: Stern TA, Rosenbaum JF, Fava M, Biederman J, Rauch SL, eds. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. 1st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier;2008:chap 39.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 11/14/2010
Linda Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; David B. Merrill, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
According to news reports and press releases she does not have Paranoid Personality Disorder, she has a Multi-Personality Disorder.
Paranoid personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive distrust and suspicion of others, interpreting their motives as malevolent. Individuals with this disorder often have difficulty forming close relationships, as they believe others are out to harm or deceive them. They may be guarded, defensive, and quick to perceive threats in their interactions with others.
Paranoid Personality Disorder is a diagnosis in itself .. it has nothing to do with Paranoid Schizophrenia.. Paranoid Schizophrenia is a mental ILLNESS and Paranoid Personality Disorder is a DISORDER! mental illnesses are treatable with medication... mental DISORDERS are not treatable with any type of medication. both are seperate diagnosis`s of their own
Paranoid schizophrenia, delusional disorder (persecutory type), and paranoid personality disorder (PPD).
Paranoid Personality Disorder
could be depression, Avoidant Personality Disorder, Antisocial Personality Disorder, Schizoid Personality Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, paranoid Personality Disorder, etc. . .
Paranoid personality disorder can be prevented by reminding oneself that people are not going to hurt you. Also, children whose needs are consistently and fully met (including social needs) are less likely to develop paranoid personality disorder later in life.
Paranoid personality disorder is a mental health condition characterized by a pervasive distrust and suspicion of others. Individuals with this disorder often believe that others are out to harm or deceive them, leading to difficulties in forming and maintaining relationships. Treatment may include therapy to address underlying beliefs and coping strategies.
Schizophrenia has symptoms that would not be seen in Paranoid Personality Disorder. While PPD have delusions of persecution, they generally do not have hallucinations of an audio, or visual nature.
It typically begins in early adulthood
Yes! Extremely, it's part of their personality disorder.
Some of the first signs of a paranoid personality disorder are having an overbearing sense of distrust for others and an unhealthy level of unnecessary suspicion. Another sign of a paranoid personality disorder is the irrational belief that other people are seeking to personally and maliciously harm one.