Paranoid Personality Disorder (PPD) is a mental disorder that can be difficult to diagnose. It is a type of schizophrenia, but it differs from other types in that the patient suffers delusions and hallucinations only sometimes. Usually, they are worried or suspicious all the time instead of just at certain times. Bizarre behavior usually follows chronic anxiety, which can be more difficult to identify.
While many patients with paranoid disorders tend to be well-liked or respected by others, those who suffer from PPD are often discriminated against. They can also be very difficult to live or work with. If a loved one suffers from paranoia, it can be hard to escape their suspicious behavior and handle their constant judgments.
This guide will discuss the symptoms of paranoid personality disorder and its causes. It will also discuss factors that increase the chances of developing PPD. While much of the information is specific to this disorder, there is much you can apply to any chronic anxiety.
What are the Symptoms?
Similar to other personality disorders, PPD presents common symptoms. They include:
1. Suspiciousness of Others
People with paranoid personality disorder tend to be suspicious of everyone they encounter. They may communicate cryptically, making others believe they are talking about something else. They may also be afraid of being talked about in public. Others do not like being around these people and often believe that the people around them are out to get them.
2. Extreme Sensitivity to Criticism
Those with this disorder are very sensitive to criticism and often go to great lengths to protect themselves from it. They may have a special way of interpreting what others say to seem right at all times. They may be adept at finding fault with the behavior of others but less skilled at recognizing their own mistakes. This can lead them to be very self-righteous.
3. Unwillingness to Confide in Others
Individuals with this disorder are very critical of others. They believe that other people always have it better than they do and are always looking for things to complain about. They may go to great lengths to hide their own faults to seem more like others around them. When they confide in others, their behavior makes people unwilling to continue the conversation.
4. Difficulty Trusting Any Authority
If a person is suspicious of others and reluctant to confide in others, they will be wary of any authority. They do not like the idea of being controlled by someone else. This can make them unwilling or unable to follow the rules of society or even participate in some activities that others find enjoyable. To them, doing these things can be considered a sign of weakness and will not contribute to their social standing.
5. A Persistent Feeling of Mistrust and Anger
Many people with paranoid personality disorder are frustrated because others are never trustworthy. They may believe that everyone is lying or that people around them are stealing things from them. When making these judgments, it is hard for them to realize how ridiculous their feelings are. Still, everyone around them does not seem to be able to convince them otherwise.
What Causes Paranoid Personality Disorder?
As with other mental health conditions, paranoid personality disorder’s exact causes are unknown. The specific cause of a person’s symptoms can vary from person to person. This can be due to a variety of factors, including:
1. Genetics
While the exact contribution of genes is unknown, there is some evidence that it can increase the chances of developing a paranoid personality disorder. If one of your parents suffers from the illness, you may have a higher chance of developing it yourself.
This trait-like quality is believed to be passed on through genetic changes. Transmission from parent to child is not 100 percent certain, and environmental factors can determine whether or not those genetic changes are expressed. A person with these genetic characteristics has a higher chance of developing a paranoid personality disorder.
2. Environmental Factors
It is easy to see how the environment can play a role in personality development. How a child is brought up and how their family and friends treat them can impact how they will grow up to be when they’re adults. If a child is exposed to violence or abuse, this can cause them to develop certain personality traits that could lead them down the path of becoming paranoid personality disorder.
Likewise, suppose a child is raised in a loving, caring environment where they feel safe and secure. In that case, the chances of developing paranoid personality disorder are much lower than if raised in an abusive environment.
3. Parental Influence
Parental influence can have a profound effect on the development of a child. Thus, it is not surprising that parental influence may play a role in developing a paranoid personality disorder. If a child is raised by caregivers who are hostile or emotionally unavailable, they are more likely to create paranoid personality disorder than those raised in a nurturing, loving environment.
4. Life Experiences
Many people with paranoid personality disorder have had traumatic experiences that have caused them to develop this disorder. These experiences could include abuse, neglect, or the loss of a loved one. It is also possible for someone to inherit paranoid personality disorder from their parent.
A person who has endured a traumatic event will have higher rates of certain symptoms than others who have not had that experience. They could have trouble expressing emotions, become suspicious and over-reactive to minor incidents, and become physically ill with anxiety or depression after a traumatic event.
5. Brain Abnormalities
Someone diagnosed with a paranoid personality disorder will likely have certain neurological abnormalities. This could include learning difficulties and developmental disorders. A person can have cerebral abnormalities that do not cause problems in daily life. Still, if those abnormalities began occurring at certain points in their lives, they could lead to paranoid personality disorder.
What is the Diagnosis of Paranoid Personality Disorder?
If a person has all of the outward symptoms of paranoid personality disorder, a professional can diagnose them with this condition. The criteria for this diagnosis is a set of behaviors that are not normal to the individual but are related to an underlying mental illness.
In diagnosing this disorder, a medical professional must look at the following factors:
- The person’s thoughts, feelings, and relationships with others
- Overall functioning of the individual in their specific environment
- Personal history and family history of paranoid personality disorder or other related mental health disorders
Like all mental health conditions, a person must be experiencing distress with their symptoms to be diagnosed. If they are not being bothered by their symptoms, they do not meet the criteria for paranoid personality disorder.
A person can have a paranoid personality disorder and not realize it. They may not display these symptoms in a way that makes them easily noticeable to others, or they may avoid expressing their feelings, so most of the time, they do not display their symptoms.
How is Paranoid Personality Disorder Treated?
If someone has been diagnosed with paranoid personality disorder, they will likely be treated by a psychiatrist and possibly other mental health professionals. Here are some of the types of treatment that can help a person with paranoid personality disorder:
1. Medication
People with a paranoid personality disorder may benefit from medication to help improve their symptoms. If a psychiatrist is treating them, they can be prescribed medication that could help them manage their symptoms. The prescription might include antipsychotics and antidepressants.
2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy is often used in treatment to help a person change their behavior by changing their thoughts. It can help someone with a paranoid personality disorder accept that some of their views are unrealistic and that they need to change their life.
3. Support Groups
If someone is diagnosed with paranoid personality disorder, they might want to join support groups to discuss the situation with others who understand what they are going through. It is also helpful for them to learn more about their condition and how it developed.
4. Self-Help Techniques
Self-help techniques can help a person cope with the symptoms of paranoid personality disorder. They could try journaling to understand what is going on in their head, or they could try relaxation techniques such as meditation to calm themselves down and feel less anxious.
Conclusion
Wherever possible, it is better to seek treatment than to isolate yourself and handle the problem alone.
If you or a loved one has a paranoid personality disorder or have any other related questions, Hanie Health Solutions is here to help.
Our primary goal is to help people and families improve their health while living a healthier lifestyle. Suppose you have a paranoid personality disorder or other mental health condition. In that case, we recommend that you speak with our counselors and psychologists who have experience dealing with symptoms of mental illness.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can treat your condition.