Personality disorders are mental health conditions that cause people to perceive reality and react to others in problematic ways. Living with paranoid personality disorder can be quite challenging. This serious mental health condition can prevent people from enjoying healthy, loving relationships. Fortunately, paranoid personality disorder treatment is effective.
While it’s a relatively rare mental health condition, paranoid personality disorder can have a profound impact on a person’s quality of life. To learn more about this condition and treatment options, call Promises today at 844.875.5609.
What Is Paranoid Personality Disorder?
There are many types of personality disorders, and they are categorized into three groups. Paranoid personality disorder (PPD) is a Cluster A, or eccentric, disorder.
It’s natural to assume that the way one perceives others and behaves toward them is typical. That’s why many people with personality disorders don’t know they have a mental health condition. This can make diagnosing and treating PPD rather difficult.
Another factor that prevents many people from getting treatment is that PPD causes people to be suspicious of others and believe others are trying to harm them. However, the term “paranoia” in the name of the disorder can be misleading.
Individuals with PPD do not typically experience hallucinations or the type of delusional thinking that those with schizoaffective disorder or schizophrenia might. Instead, PPD is marked by a severe distrust of others. This distrust may prevent a person from confiding in others or building close relationships.
Symptoms of Paranoid Personality Disorder
The symptoms of PPD usually start in the late teens or early twenties. Because personalities evolve with age, mental health professionals don’t usually diagnose a personality disorder until an individual is 18 or older.
Some of the symptoms include:
- Doubting that others are trustworthy
- Being unforgiving and holding grudges
- Taking criticism poorly
- Hypersensitivity
- Believing others are going to deceive or exploit them
- Stubbornness and combativeness
- Difficulty relaxing
- Blaming others for conflicts without understanding one’s own role
- Jealousy and controlling behaviors
- Persistent and unjustified suspicion, especially about romantic partners
While the exact cause of PPD is unknown, many mental health experts believe it is the result of both biological and environmental factors.
Paranoia vs. Anxiety: Are They the Same?
Anxiety and paranoia can occur in the same person at the same time, but they are not the same condition. The main difference between paranoia vs. anxiety is that anxiety is a response to a distressing experience while paranoia is usually founded in unrealistic thinking.
Paranoia is associated with an irrational mistrust of others. A paranoid person may believe others are out to get them or that no one understands them. Paranoid people often act like victims and blame everyone else, including strangers or organizations, for their problems.
In contrast, anxiety is a natural reaction to stress. For example, it’s the feeling of nervousness someone might get when they are late for work or have a conflict with a coworker.
Regular anxiety is situational and doesn’t interfere with daily life. However, anxiety disorders are more serious. People living with anxiety disorders may experience extreme amounts of stress for no particular reason. Their feelings of anxiety can be so severe they are debilitating.
A person who is paranoid or a person with paranoid personality disorder may also have an anxiety disorder. Each disorder may require different types of treatment.
Get the Paranoid Personality Disorder Treatment You Need Today at Promises
Paranoid personality disorder can cause a person to isolate from others and live in a world filled with grievances and mistrust. A person with untreated PPD may have difficulty maintaining healthy relationships, whether personal or professional.
Fortunately, a combination of therapy and medications can help those with PPD manage their symptoms. Therapy focuses on improving coping skills, building trust, and improving self-esteem. To find help for PPD, call Promises today at 844.875.5609 or reach out using our online contact form to schedule an appointment.