Paranoid personality disorder is characterized by excessive and irrational distrust and suspicion of others. Individuals find it difficult to form close relationships and seek help. Childhood trauma and genetics may contribute to its development. Treatment options include psychotherapy and medication. Paranoia may also be a symptom of other disorders or substance abuse.
A paranoid personality, often expressed by individuals with a paranoid personality disorder, is characterized by excessive and irrational distrust and suspicion of other people or entities. Such individuals tend to feel that others are constantly plotting against them or that, at the very least, they have motives that are not beneficial to the afflicted individual. As a result, paranoid people tend to find it very difficult to form close personal relationships because they are always suspicious and wary of those around them. They also tend to find it very difficult to seek help, as they are generally hesitant to admit that their paranoid suspicions are just illusions.
The distrust and suspicion of an individual with a paranoid personality can manifest itself in a number of different forms. In addition to the general suspicion about the motives of others, paranoid individuals are very reluctant to confide in other people because they believe that any personal information confided to others can be used against them. If a paranoid person is in a romantic relationship, they will often suspect their partner of infidelity or doubt their partner’s affection and commitment. Also symptomatic of this personality type is reading innocent and meaningless gestures and phrases too thoroughly.
The factors that contribute to the development of a paranoid personality are not well understood, but are believed to be both psychological and biological in nature. People who have experienced some form of childhood trauma are more likely to experience paranoia than those who have not. There are also suspicions of some form of genetic link, as family members often have similar disorders.
There are many different treatment options available to paranoid individuals who are willing and able to admit that they have a problem. While drug-free psychotherapy is an option, it is often complicated by the fact that trust is an essential part of therapy. If one with a paranoid personality cannot develop some form of rapport with his or her therapist, he or she will likely be unable to derive significant benefit from therapy. As such, psychotherapy is often combined with a variety of antipsychotic, antidepressant, and antianxiety medications.
A paranoid personality may, in some cases, be a symptom or indicative of some other disorder. Brief psychotic episodes, for example, often involve intense paranoia. A variety of other disorders, including schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and narcissistic personality disorder often involve paranoia as well. Paranoia, to some extent, also results from the abuse of alcohol or other drugs.
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