Appearing in all five additions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), one of the earliest descriptions of Paranoid personality disorder comes from late 19th-century psychiatrist Valentin Magnan. People who suffer from Paranoid personality disorder suffer from delusions resulting in suspicions and mistrust towards others. This can manifest in hypersensitivity towards insults both real and perceived and an isolated lifestyle as they draw away from others to prevent the worst that their paranoia says is bound to happen. While these behaviors may seem odd and unusual to others, which is why it is categorized as a Cluster A personality disorder for the eccentric behaviors, within the mind of someone suffering from Paranoid personality disorder, all of their actions make perfect sense. Their mind is telling them that everyone is out to get them, to harm them emotionally or physically, and due to this they may lash out easier at others than someone who doesn’t suffer from this disorder. Yet, rather than continue the stigma around this personality disorder and many of the others, education can help branch the gap into the unknown, allowing people to better understand those who suffer from Paranoid personality disorder, whether it’s themselves or their loved ones.
More commonly found in men than in women, this disorder has an onset of late childhood and adolescence. The exact causes of Paranoid personality disorder are unknown, though many studies suggest a combination of both psychological and biological factors and the disorder is more common in people with a family history of schizophrenia. Early experiences of emotional and physical trauma in childhood are also believed to lead to the development of this disorder. In order to be diagnosed with Paranoid personality disorder, someone must display four or more of the following symptoms separately from diagnosis of schizophrenia, bipolar, or depressive disorder and be diagnosed by a trained and licensed therapist.
Suspicion without a basis that others are harming, exploiting, or deceiving them
Preoccupied with unjustified doubts in regards to trustworthiness and loyalty of those around them
Reluctant to confide in others due to an unwarranted fear that the information will be used against them
Reading threatening or demeaning messages into benign events or remarks
Having persistent grudges
Quick to react angrily or counterattack against perceived attacks on their reputation or character that aren’t apparent to others
Recurrent suspicion without justification regarding cheating or infidelity in a spouse or partner
While medications can be used to help treat some underlying issues such as anxiety, the primary form of therapy for people suffering from Paranoid personality disorder is psychotherapy or talk therapy. Throughout treatment, the therapist assists the patient with developing new coping mechanisms to help with interpersonal relationships and dealing with the symptoms of the disorder. Therapy can be difficult to begin as the therapist needs to build a sense of trust and rapport with the patient, something that can be difficult when the patient suffers from paranoid delusions. This mistrust and suspicion can make it hard for people with Paranoid personality disorder to even go to a therapist, and even harder for them to open up to one once they’ve started going. Once this level of trust has become strong enough that the therapist can formally diagnose the patient and have the patient agree with the diagnosis, then they can begin working on helping the patient develop new coping skills to help redirect their paranoid thoughts to live the happiest life they can. As, like most personality disorders, there is no miracle cure for Paranoid personality disorder, individuals with the disorder must continue with treatment and the coping skills taught there throughout their life. However, if they are willing to continue these practices and treatments, someone who suffers from Paranoid personality disorder can live a happy, close-to-normal life while maintaining healthy relationships and employment. If you or anyone you know may be suffering from Paranoid personality disorder, please consider seeking out treatment.
