Paranoid Personality Disorder: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
Paranoid personality disorder (PPD) is a mental health condition that causes an individual to have a lasting distrust and suspicion of others. The delusional paranoia of PPD affects how someone views themselves and the world around them.
PPD is a widely misunderstood condition both socially and scientifically. It's frequently misdiagnosed, and its symptoms are often accounted for by comorbid personality disorders. Although it is commonly mistaken for schizophrenia and borderline personality disorder, PPD is a distinct condition as far as symptoms and treatment.
Let’s take a closer look at the unique symptoms of PPD and how it can be treated.
What Is Paranoid Personality Disorder?
People with PPD will be overly suspicious of someone’s intentions and actions. This can lead them to misinterpret someone’s innocent actions and remarks as harmful or threatening. Due to delusional suspicion, it is common for someone with PPD to blame others for their problems.
It’s difficult for someone affected by PPD to regulate their thoughts and emotions. They tend to hold grudges and be hypersensitive to criticism. Unfortunately, this affects their ability to form close relationships and friendships.
The intense distrust in others also makes it harder for them to seek the medical help they require. People with PPD believe everyone is plotting against them, and this contributes to the lack of clinical and social understanding surrounding this disorder.
Common Symptoms of Paranoid Personality Disorder
There are many symptoms that distinguish PPD from other personality disorders. If someone displays at least four of the most common symptoms, it is likely that they suffer from PPD. These symptoms, as established by the DSM-V, include:
- Suspicion that others are exploiting, harming, or deceiving them
- Preoccupation with unjustified doubts about the loyalty or trustworthiness of friends or associates
- Reluctance to confide in others because of unwarranted fear that the information will be used maliciously
- Persistent grudges
- Reading hidden hurtful or threatening meanings into innocent remarks or events
It’s common to find these symptoms in other personality disorders like schizophrenia and borderline personality disorder. To be considered PPD, these symptoms have to occur outside of psychotic episodes related to other personality disorders.
Related Article: Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders
Causes of Paranoid Personality Disorder
There are a couple ways that PPD can develop. The first and most common way is through trauma and abuse during childhood. When a child experiences abuse or neglect from a parent, it can play a large role in the development of their thoughts and behaviors. If a child is suspicious of their parents while growing up, it will affect how they trust others throughout their life.
Related Article: Trauma: Definition, Effects, & Types
Another source of PPD is through brain injury. According to the National Library of Medicine, 8.3 – 26% of brain injury patients meet PPD criteria. Brain injuries can cause physical damage that directly impacts the functions of the brain. If someone’s vision, hearing, or other bodily functions are impacted, it can affect how that person reacts to social interactions. This can ultimately lead them to lose trust and be suspicious of others.
Genetics can also play a role. Much like other personality disorders, someone is much more likely to inherit this disorder if their parents also suffer from it. A child can learn paranoid and suspicious behaviors from their parents during childhood too, which can also lead to PPD.
Comorbid Disorders of Paranoid Personality Disorder
There are several disorders that are frequently diagnosed alongside PPD. One of the most common disorders is posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is commonly found in PPD, because both disorders can stem from childhood abuse and trauma.
Related article: PTSD: Treatment, Symptoms, and Causes
Other comorbidities of PPD include:
Negative coping mechanisms contribute to the development of these comorbid conditions. Without proper treatment, PPD can be a debilitating condition that affects someone’s social life, relationships, and overall well-being.
Treatments For Paranoid Personality Disorder
Someone with PPD tends to be reluctant to seek medical attention. This disorder is also frequently misdiagnosed, which contributes to the difficulty of treating PPD. There is currently no known medication that is prescribed to directly treat PPD. That being said, certain medications can be used to treat the various symptoms associated with it, like anti-anxiety medications and antidepressants.
Read our related article on antidepressants to discover how these medications can help someone take a positive step towards recovering from their mental health challenges.
Certain therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), are recommended for those suffering from PPD. CBT focuses on helping individuals identify and challenge their negative thought patterns. This will help them develop healthy coping mechanisms and positive social skills.
Through CBT, people can learn to differentiate between realistic concerns and irrational suspicions, leading to greater self-awareness and improved interpersonal relationships.
Is Paranoid Personality Disorder Curable?
While PPD is considered a chronic condition, there is hope for those living with this disorder. With appropriate treatment and support, individuals with PPD can learn to manage their symptoms and develop healthier ways of thinking and behaving.
At Sequoia Behavioral Health, our professional therapists are equipped to treat PPD and its comorbidities. By understanding the causes of PPD, exploring effective treatment options, and fostering hope for the future, we can empower individuals with PPD to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives.
Reach out today to learn more about our holistic approach to personality disorder treatment.