A person’s personality is determined from group of his traits and behavior. Besides giving a separate identity to the individual, it helps him or her to adjust to various changes that take place in his environmental surrounding. Psychologically, there are several types of personality disorder; paranoid personality is one of them. A person with paranoid personality disorder (PPD) behaves eccentrically.
It can affect his social adaptability due to his odd behavior. Suspiciousness, not accepting fault, secretiveness, always distrusting when there is no reason for it are some of the characteristic traits of a person suffering from PPD.
A person suffering from PPD thus has many problems in his close relationship. This disorder is mainly found in a person having family history of schizophrenia. People suffering from paranoid personality disorder voluntarily do not seek any treatment, as they believe they do not have any problem. Patients usually require psychotherapy and medications to treat this condition.
Causes Of Paranoid Personality Disorder
The exact cause of paranoid personality disorder is not known. Many hypotheses have been put forward, but yet the reality to this disorder is not found.
It is believed to have genetic association as this psychological condition is more commonly found in people having close relatives suffering from schizophrenia. Childhood trauma, both mental as well as physical is also believed to be one of the reasons. Separation from mother in childhood, way to cope stress, etc can become the trigger.
Paranoid Personality Disorder Symptoms
People with paranoid personality disorders are not able to develop close relationship with anyone because of their profound and unwarranted distrust to others. This constant nature of suspiciousness and mistrust keeps them always on guard, which most of the time is not required. They believe their close associates will harm or demean them.
Many patients do not believe that they have an abnormal personality, rather they believe their suspicion and distrust is rational. But others around her/ him consider it as unnecessary. Here are following symptoms:
- Suspecting almost every person. Suspects her close friend or spouse is unfaithful.
- They always doubt trustworthiness and loyalty of close associates, family members and people around them.
- Believes others are deceiving her.
- Person does not confide in others, believes information will be used against her.
- Unforgiving and grudging personality.
- If a person looks at her or watches her casually, she reads unwarranted hidden meaning that is not desired.
- Such people are generally cold in their relationship with others.
- They are jealous and want to control others.
- Quick in counterattacking angrily for no apparent reason.
- Like to remain detached and in isolation because of fear and suspicion that others will know lot of her characteristics.
Treatment For Paranoid Personality Disorder
The treatment of paranoid personality disorder patients is extremely successful and promising. However, majority of patients do not accept they have any psychological problem. They therefore do not take any treatment. The treatment is successful if patient willingly accepts to take the treatment.
These patients need counseling and psychotherapy. However, the treatment needs to be taken for a long duration. The patient is taught different techniques to communicate with others socially. They are taught other coping skills and improving self esteem.
Besides behavioral techniques, some patients may also require antidepressant and anti-psychotic drugs.
Patients who resist taking treatment suffer more because it becomes a chronic disorder.