Do you know that about 10 percent of people worldwide suffer from a personality disorder? Paranoid Personality Disorder is a type of personality disorder that can cause people to develop irrational suspicion towards others. There’s a high chance of a PPD if you see a person that is excessively vulnerable to or resistant to constructive behavior. Scroll down to know everything about Paranoid Personality Disorder.
What Is Paranoid Personality Disorder?
Paranoid personality disorder (PPD) is a form of personality disorder that causes the individual affected to behave strangely or out of place. This condition falls under a category called “Cluster A” of personality disorders.
Individuals with PPD tend to have paranoia, too. This can lead to relentless distrust and skepticism on the part of others even though there is no reason to do so.
The characteristic of this condition is its inability to trust and hold grudges in others. PPD typically appears at an early age and is more common in men than women.
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Causes Of Paranoid Personality Disorder
Although the exact cause of PPD is not yet known, a combination of biological, environmental, and psychological causes is assumed to be causing it.
A paranoid personality disorder is also seen in people with close family members with a history of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.
Another contributing factor to PPD development is mental or physical distress during early childhood.
If you believe you show signs of paranoid personality disorder (or someone near you), it is best to see a doctor.
Symptoms Of PPD
Individuals with PPD are always on alert because they feel others are trying to demean, harass or hurt them out there. Such irrational beliefs can interfere with the ability of the individual concerned to establish close relationships.
The symptoms that a person with PPD has
- Doubting other people’s honesty, dedication or trustworthiness
- Reluctance to trust others
- Hypersensitive when it comes to criticism
- Feeling angry/hostile easily
- Recurring doubts when it comes to their spouse/partner without justification
- Being cold and distant in relationships
There are some common features found in people who have PPD.
Diagnosis Of Paranoid Personality Disorder
Upon consulting a doctor, they can start by asking you questions about the symptoms you show and your family and medical history.
They may conduct a physical exam to check for any other potential conditions with which you may be affected. If the evaluation or symptoms you show suggest PPD, you will be referred for further examination to a psychologist, therapist or mental health care provider.
A detailed or extensive evaluation will be provided by the mental health care professional that could involve asking you about your upbringing, job, education, and relationship. You can also be asked how to deal with a hypothetical situation, or how to react. They gauge the answer to different conditions and then make a diagnosis.
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Treatment
The biggest downside to treating PPD is that the individuals most affected have trouble seeking medication. Treatment for this condition can, however, usually be quite effective.
Individuals able to seek PPD care should take advantage of talk therapy or psychotherapy. The goal of those therapies is:
- Helping the patient cope with the condition
- Learning how to interact in social environments with others
- Helping to the feelings of anxiety
Some medicines can also help with the treatment of paranoid personality disorder. Many medications perform especially well in situations where the patient has other associated disorders such as depression and anxiety disorder.
Complications
In the United States PPD is a significant cause of disability. It may lower the quality of life of an individual, and may also affect the lives of their families, friends, and colleagues.
PPD may manifest itself in hostility and violence against others. As a consequence, people with PPD can feel socially isolated and depressed.
It’s unclear if the suicide rates for people with PPD are higher. Nonetheless, PPD frequently exists alongside other illnesses that are associated with increased suicide risk.
Although paranoid personality disorder is one of the most common personality disorders, research on successful therapies is incomplete, due in part to the unwillingness of those with the disease to engage in therapy and study. Many who can build a positive therapeutic relationship can learn how to handle their symptoms and have healthier relationships with others.
Also Read: Does Your Loved One Suffering From Borderline Personality Disorder?
