What is Paranoid personality disorder

Paranoid personality disorder PPD is a mental condition in which a patient becomes suspicious of others and develops a long-term pattern of distrust. It is defined as a type of eccentric personality disorder.

Dr Rajiv Sharma, a city-based Psychiatrist says, “People with PPD mistrust the motive of people around them whether they are family members or colleagues. This can cause harm or problems in their relationship and they can face difficulty in maintaining a good bond.”

Experts also use the term cluster A personality disorder to describe eccentric personality disorders like PPD. People can also confuse PPD with schizophrenia but here are a few criteria shared by Dr Sharma on which any professional can confirm the disorder.

• Suspecting others without sufficient basis
• Doubting loyalty of friends, associates and family members, experts say people with PPD are not able to maintain good connections because of their mistrust behaviour many times.
• Reading threatening meaning into benign remarks or events.
• Reluctant to confide in others
• Hold grudges and do not forgive easily.
• Perceives attack on his or her character even if nobody is talking about them.

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Causes of PPD are yet not discovered fully but experts believe it is a combination of biological and psychological factors. Other reasons can be a family history of someone suffering from schizophrenia, delusion disorders or childhood trauma.

Role of a family member or a bystander
The role of family or a bystander is very important when it comes to dealing with someone who has a paranoid personality disorder.
Rather than responding with anger and frustration, you can share their fears and help them differentiate reality, as experts say they do not have firm delusions.

• Support them while coping with the condition. For example, when they do not trust you explain the situation politely.
• Never criticise them for not being able to trust and listen to their insecurities.
• Talk about their wellbeing and the patterns they can follow to improve the condition.
• Offer them professional help and motivate them about self-care.
• Do not argue with them about their beliefs and respect their boundaries.
• Help them relax if the situation goes out of hand.
• Distract them with activities such as exercising and reading.

Dr Sharma informs that PPD can be treated or controlled with a combination of psychotherapy and medicines.