Anyone have info on Paranoid Personality Disorder?!


Question: Anyone have info on Paranoid Personality Disorder!?
I think that's what I have!. I'd like to know more!.Www@Answer-Health@Com


Answers:
Paranoid Personality Disorder

Paranoid personality disorder (PPD) is one of a group of conditions called eccentric personality disorders in which people with these disorders often appear odd or peculiar!. People with PPD also suffer from paranoia, an unrelenting mistrust and suspicion of others, even when there is no reason to be suspicious!.

This disorder usually begins by early adulthood and appears to be more common in men than in women!.

What Are the Symptoms of PPD!?

People with PPD are always on guard, believing that others are constantly trying to demean, harm, or threaten them!. These generally unfounded beliefs, as well as their habits of blame and distrust, might interfere with their ability to form close relationships!. People with this disorder:


Doubt the commitment, loyalty, or trustworthiness of others, believing others are using or deceiving them
Are reluctant to confide in others or reveal personal information due to a fear that the information will be used against them
Are unforgiving and hold grudges
Are hypersensitive and take criticism poorly
Read hidden meanings in the innocent remarks or casual looks of others
Perceive attacks on their character that are not apparent to others; they generally react with anger and are quick to retaliate
Have recurrent suspicions, without reason, that their spouses or lovers are being unfaithful
Are generally cold and distant in their relationships with others, and might become controlling and jealous
Cannot see their role in problems or conflicts and believe they are always right
Have difficulty relaxing
Are hostile, stubborn, and argumentative

What Causes PPD!?

The exact cause of PPD is not known, but it likely involves a combination of biological and psychological factors!. The fact that PPD is more common in people who have close relatives with schizophrenia suggests a genetic link between the two disorders!. Early childhood experiences, including physical or emotional trauma, are also suspected to play a role in the development of PPD!.

How Is PPD Diagnosed!?

If symptoms are present, the doctor will begin an evaluation by performing a complete medical history and physical examination!. Although there are no laboratory tests to specifically diagnose personality disorders, the doctor might use various diagnostic tests to rule out physical illness as the cause of the symptoms!.

If the doctor finds no physical reason for the symptoms, he or she might refer the person to a psychiatrist or psychologist, health care professionals who are specially trained to diagnose and treat mental illnesses!. Psychiatrists and psychologists use specially designed interview and assessment tools to evaluate a person for a personality disorder!.

How Is PPD Treated!?

People with PPD often do not seek treatment on their own because they do not see themselves as having a problem!. When treatment is sought, psychotherapy (a form of counseling) is the treatment of choice for PPD!. Treatment likely will focus on increasing general coping skills, as well as on improving social interaction, communication, and self-esteem!.

Because trust is an important factor of psychotherapy, treatment is challenging since people with PPD have such distrust of others!. As a result, many people with PPD do not follow their treatment plan!.

Medication generally is not used to treat PPD!. However, medications, such as anti-anxiety, antidepressant or anti-psychotic drugs, might be prescribed if the person's symptoms are extreme, or if he or she also suffers from an associated psychological problem, such as anxiety or depression!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

First, self-diagnosis is really risky!. It is best to leave that to professionals!. They know how to interpret behaviors that we might classify as paranoid and they might not!. I would highly recommend seeing someone to be diagnosed and not diagnosing yourself!.

That said, the following is taken from the DSM IV which is used (actually they used the text revised version but I have a Desk Reference DSM-IV at my fingertips) by Psychiatrists and other professionals when they make diagnoses!.

Paranoid Personality Disorder:

A!. A pervasive distrust and suspiciousness of others such that their motives are interpreted as malevolent, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by four or more of the following:

1!. suspects, without sufficient basis, that others are exploiting, harming or deceiving him or her
2!. is preoccupied with unjustified doubts about the loyalty or trustworthiness of friends of associates
3!. is reluctant to confide in others because of unwarranted fear that the information will be used maliciously against him or her
4!. reads hidden demeaning or threatening meaning into benign remarks or events
5!. persistently bears grudges, i!.e!., is unforgiving of insults, injuries or slights
6!. perceives attacks on his or her character or reputation that are not apparent to others and is quick to react angrily or to counter attack
7!. has recurrent suspicions, without justification, regarding fidelity of spouse or sexual partner

B!. Does not occur exclusively during the course of Schizophrenia, a Mood Disorder with Psychotic Features, or another Psychotic Disorder and is not due to the direct physiological effects of a general medical condition!.

However, I still recommend that you see someone and have an evaluation done and let them make the diagnosis!. You may find out it is a lot simpler than a personality disorder!

Good luck!Www@Answer-Health@Com

http://en!.wikipedia!.org/wiki/Paranoid_Pe!.!.!.Www@Answer-Health@Com





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