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Paranoid Personality Disorder

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What is Paranoid Personality Disorder?

Paranoid personality disorder is a psychiatric condition in which a person is very distrustful and suspicious of others.



Alternative names

Personality disorder - paranoid



Causes

Personality 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 schizophrenia and delusional disorder, which suggests genes may be involved.



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What is Paranoid Personality Disorder?

Paranoid personality disorder is a psychiatric condition in which a person is very distrustful and suspicious of others.

Add to my favorites

Alternative names

Personality disorder - paranoid

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Causes

Personality 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 schizophrenia and delusional disorder, which suggests genes may be involved.

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Symptoms & Signs

People 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:

  • Concern that other people have hidden motives
  • Expectation that they will be exploited by others
  • Inability to work together with others
  • Poor self image
  • Social isolation
  • Detachment
  • Hostility
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Exams and Tests

Personality disorders are diagnosed based on psychological evaluation and the history and severity of the symptoms.

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Treatments

Treatment is difficult because people with this condition are often extremely suspicious of doctors. If accepted, medications and talk therapy can both be effective.

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Prognosis

Therapy can limit the impact of the paranoia on the person's daily functioning.

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Possible Complications

  • Extreme social isolation
  • Potential for violence
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When to contact a medical professional

If suspicions are interfering with your relationships or work, contact a health care provider or mental health professional.

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References

Moore 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.

Content provided by:

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch). The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- 2008 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Review Date: 10/17/2008

Reviewed By: Linda Vorvick, MD, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; Timothy A. Rogge, MD, private practice in Psychiatry, Kirkland, Washington. Also reviewed byDavid Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.10/17/2008

Paranoid Personality Disorder Articles

  • About Narcissistic Personality Disorder

    A personality disorder is a consistent pattern of beliefs, thoughts and behaviors that cause one to frequently approach others in a distressing manner, inappropriate to the context and culture. Peo...

  • 4 Ways to Identify Personality Disorders

    Personality disorders are marked by rigid, maladaptive behavior that develops into a recurring pattern. People afflicted with them will often use maladaptive coping mechanisms to deal with whateve...

  • 5 Ways to Identify Signs of Borderline Personality

    ...suffering from a borderline personality disorder usually have difficulties in maintaining close relationships with others, a trait that usually manifests itself by early adulthood. These difficu...

  • Positive & Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia

    ...chizophrenia is not a split or multiple personality; rather, it is categorized as a type of psychosis, which is a severe and devastating mental illness.

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Related Diseases

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Conversations On Paranoid Personality Disorder

  • Dear person/people.....


    • Posted On January 10, 2009 02:42:44 PM

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    • Posted On January 10, 2009 02:54:00 PM

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  • The last post is the winner...


    • Posted On December 4, 2007 09:22:36 AM

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      ...lol. I don't get it. How could this person be making money on this? What is to sell? Read More

  • Random thought poll


    • Posted On July 10, 2008 07:41:44 PM

      Ok give it to me off the top of your head... mine...I need to start the dishwasher and my husband is rubbing my feet and it feels really good lol!! Read More

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      Cra... Crud! I left clothes in the dryer! They'll be all wrinkled by now! Read More

  • Was losing weight "worth it" for you?


    • Posted On May 24, 2008 04:57:54 PM

      ...nfident, I look good, I am a fit active person. I love the feeling of puttting some clothes on in the morning and thinking you look good. It's just the best. Read More

    • Posted On May 25, 2008 12:02:54 PM

      ...n" and it's hard with an addictive personality, since it's not just having not enough self-control, but a real disorder. Read More

Paranoid Personality Disorder Blogs

I’m the Normal-er One

Personality Disorder Test Results Paranoid |||||||||| 34% Schizoid |||||||||||| 46% Schizotypal |||||||||||||||| 66% Antisocial |||||||||||||||| 62% Borderline |||||| 26% Histrionic |||||||||| 34% Narcissistic |||||||||||| 50% Avoidant |||||||||||| 42...

What’s Your Major Malfunction?

Personality Disorder Test Results Paranoid |||||||||| 34% Schizoid |||||||||||||||| 62% Schizotypal |||||||||||||||||||| 82% Antisocial |||||||||||| 50% Borderline |||||||||||| 42% Histrionic |||||||||||||||| 62% Narcissistic |||||||||||||||||| 74...

It's All Downhill From Here

A midweek joke in the holiday spirit, via Miss Cellania (notice: her site can contain explicit material) Christmas Carols for the Disturbed Schizophrenia --- Do You Hear What I Hear? Multiple Personality Disorder --- We Three Kings Disoriented Are...

Christmas Carols for the Disturbed

1. Schizophrenia --- Do You Hear What I Hear? 2. Multiple Personality Disorder --- We Three Kings Disoriented Are 3. Dementia --- I Think I'll be Home for Christmas 4. Narcissistic --- Hark the Herald Angels Sing About Me 5. Manic --- Deck the Halls and...

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Paranoid Personality Disorder Topic Guide

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Connect With People Who Have Paranoid Personality Disorder

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Talk

henriquelohmann: Personality Disorder Test Results Paranoid |||||||||||| 50% Schizoid |||||||||||||||||||| 90% Schizotypal... http://tumblr.com/xki45pvib

prguy85: @meebits That's called Paranoid Personality Disorder or Paranoid Schizophrenia...quieres ir conmigo a Cidra manana?

CaraFaice: DisorderRating - Paranoid Personality Disorder:Moderate Schizoid Personality Disorder:Moderate Schizotypal... http://tumblr.com/xmx42dmvq

amytt: so i took a personality test and my highest disorder was being paranoid

burnthelies: Paranoid Personality Disorder | .: Lifetakers :. serial killers, psychology, forensics and more http://cli.gs/6Sd1p

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