Locations Main Campus: Chesterfield, MO 63017   |   Locations
314-434-1500 314-434-1500   |   Contact Us

Multimedia Encyclopedia


 
E-mail Form
Email Results

 
 
Print-Friendly
Bookmarks
bookmarks-menu

Paranoid personality disorder

Personality disorder - paranoid; PPD

 

Paranoid personality disorder (PPD) is a mental condition in which a person has a long-term pattern of distrust and suspicion of others. The person does not have a full-blown psychotic disorder, such as schizophrenia .

Causes

 

Causes of PPD are unknown. PPD seems to be more common in families with psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia and delusional disorder. This suggests genes may be involved. Other factors may play a role as well.

PPD seems to be more common in men.

 

Symptoms

 

People with PPD are very suspicious of other people. As a result, they severely limit their social lives. They often feel that they are in danger and look for evidence to support their suspicions. They have trouble seeing that their distrust is out of proportion to their environment.

Common symptoms include:

  • Concern that other people have hidden motives
  • Thinking that they will be exploited (used) or harmed by others
  • Not able to work together with others
  • Social isolation
  • Detachment
  • Hostility

 

Exams and Tests

 

PPD is diagnosed based on a psychological evaluation. The health care provider will consider how long and how severe the person's symptoms are.

 

Treatment

 

Treatment is difficult because people with PPD are often very suspicious of doctors. If treatment is accepted, talk therapy and medicines can often be effective.

 

Outlook (Prognosis)

 

Outlook usually depends on whether the person is willing to accept help. Talk therapy and medicines can sometimes reduce paranoia and limit its impact on the person's daily functioning.

 

Possible Complications

 

Complications may include:

  • Extreme social isolation
  • Problems with school or work

 

When to Contact a Medical Professional

 

See a health care provider or mental health professional if suspicions are interfering with your relationships or work.

 

 

References

American Psychiatric Association. Paranoid personality disorder. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of ental Disorders . 5th ed. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing. 2013:649-652.

Blais MA, Smallwood P, Groves JE, Rivas-Vazquez RA, Hopwood CJ. Personality and personality disorders. In: Stern TA, Fava M, Wilens TE, Rosenbaum JF, eds. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry . 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 39.

 

        A Closer Look

         

          Self Care

           

            Tests for Paranoid personality disorder

             

               

              Review Date: 7/29/2016

              Reviewed By: Fred K. Berger, MD, addiction and forensic psychiatrist, Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

              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. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

               
               
               

               

               

              A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.



              Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.