A mental health disorder characterized by distrust and suspicion of others without adequate reason is called paranoid personality disorder (PPD). Moreover, people who develop PPD are always on guard because they believe other people are constantly trying to demean, harm, or threaten them.
In most cases, people with this mental condition do not think their behavior and way of thinking are problematic. Furthermore, PPD is a type of Cluster A or eccentric personality disorder. Those who develop a condition from this group often have unusual and eccentric thinking and behavior.
It is important to understand that people with PPD do not experience hallucinations or delusions that are often noticed in people with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and severe manic episodes caused by bipolar disorder.
This mental health disorder occurs quite rarely and affects about 0.5% to 4.5% of people in the United States.
Symptoms
The symptoms of this condition often occur during early adult years. They also limit their social lives. Check below some possible symptoms of a person with PPD:
- Constantly doubts the loyalty, commitment, or trustworthiness of others because they think other people are exploiting or deceiving them.
- Reluctance and confidence because they think other people may use specific information against them.
- Increased sensitivity to criticism
- They are also unforgiving
- Frequently perceive attacks on their own while they are to others
- Prolonged suspicions without a justified reason that their romantic partners or spouses are unfaithful
- In most cases, people with PPD think they are always right
- Difficulty relaxing
- They can also be argumentative, stubborn, and hostile
If you notice someone experiencing any of the previous symptoms, you should contact your healthcare professional right away.
Causes
Experts do not fully understand why this mental disorder occurs. However, they think there is a combination of environmental and biological factors. According to some studies, childhood emotional, physical, and supervision neglect could play a significant role in the development of paranoid personality disorder. However, researchers used to think there was a genetic connection between schizophrenia and schizotypal personality disorder.
Risk Factors
While anyone may develop PPD, some people are at increased risk of developing it. For example:
- Sex – Females are more likely to develop PPD than males.
- People who live in low-income households
- Race – If you are a Black, Hispanic, or Native American, your risk of developing PPD may increase
- The risk of developing PPD may also be elevated if you are widowed, divorced, separated, or never married
However, more research is needed to learn about PPD risk factors.
What Are The Possible Complications of Paranoid Personality Disorder?
Those who develop PPD may also experience some complications, especially if they leave it untreated. Check below some examples:
- Relationship problems
- Social isolation
- Occupational issues
- Increased risk of other mental health problems (including anxiety, depression, substance use disorder, and others)
- Aggressive behavior
This article does not contain all possible complications of PPD. However, you can talk with your healthcare professional about ways to reduce the risk or prevent previous complications.
Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent PPD because physicians do not know what exactly causes it. Thus, the treatment goal is to reduce the symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Diagnosis
Usually, personality evolves throughout childhood and adolescent development. Thus, doctors do not diagnose this condition until after 18 years old. Furthermore, it can be quite challenging to diagnose PPD because most people do not consider their behavior and thinking a problem. Commonly, people with PPD seek help when they experience anxiety or depression. If your doctor suspects PPD, you may be referred to a psychiatrist or psychologist. They may ask some questions about past history, relationships, previous work history, impulse control, and others. This condition is often confirmed based on the criteria in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
Treatment
Generally, people with PPD rarely seek medical help on their own. Usually, they are referred to by family members, coworkers, or employers. In most cases, this mental disorder is treated with psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy), including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). These treatments are used to increase general coping skills and improve social interaction, communication, and self-esteem.
However, it can be difficult to treat people with PPD because they distrust others. As a result, they may not follow the treatment plan recommended by doctors. In addition, doctors usually do not prescribe medicines for those who suffer from PPD, except a person experiences severe symptoms. They often prescribe antidepressants, anti-anxiety medicines, or antipsychotic drugs to relieve the symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are other medical conditions associated with paranoid personality disorder?
Yes, about 75% of people with PPD also have another personality disorder. Check below for the most common disorders that often co-occur with PPD:
- Avoidant personality disorder
- Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
- Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD)
- Substance use disorder
- Panic disorder
What are the symptoms of a paranoid personality disorder?
These include:
- Persistent suspicion
- Reluctance to confide
- Misinterpreting events as threatening
- Aggressive behavior
If you or a loved one experiences any of the symptoms listed above, immediately contact your healthcare professional.
What are the triggers for paranoid personality disorder?
While experts do not fully understand why it happens, they have identified some possible factors that may trigger this mental disorder. Check below some of them:
- Genetic factors (including a family history of schizophrenia)
- Neglect and abuse
- Environmental factors (including traumatic events)
- Brain abnormalities
This article does not contain all possible factors that could trigger this condition. Ask your healthcare provider if you have any other questions.
