Paranoid personality disorder

Paranoid Personality Disorder (PPD), is a mental disorder that greatly affects not only the patient who has it but also everyone around them. While it is normal to have a small amount of paranoia, patients with PPD, have long term history of paranoia and distrust. Although not have a full-scale psychotic disorder like schizophrenia, which has similar symptoms, they can experience audio hallucinations(voices that are not real). PPD usually presents itself if early adult hood, and occurs more commonly in men than women, whereas schizophrenia occurs in the same amount of men as it does women. In most cases the patient is unaware that they have a disorder and are so paranoid that when they are diagnosed they believe that the people who are trying to help them are actually trying to hurt them.

=Causes= While researchers do not know the exact cause Paranoid Personality Disorder, there are many theories. Most professionals think it has something to do with bio psychosocial, meaning biological and genetic factors, social factors(interaction) and early development with family, friends, other children, psychological factors, and temperament. Others have found genetic links to psychotic disorders, like schizophrenia, and delusional disorder. This implies that there is not one specific factor that causes PPD, but that there are many complex factors. Research shows that a person with PPD's children have a slightly increased risk of having it also.

Diagnosis
PPD is diagnosed by a metal health professional, such as a psychologists or psychiatrist. Other medical professionals like family physicians, or general practitioners are not trained to or equipped to make this kind of psychological diagnosis. There are no laboratories, blood or genetic tests that are used to diagnoses PPD. In order for the patient be diagnosed with PPD or any other mental disorder the patient has to be eighteen years old. PPD usually presents itself in early adulthood and occurs in .5 to 2.5 percent of the general population.

=Symptoms= Paranoid Personality disorder is represented by pervasive distrust and suspicion of others. The condition, usually begins in early adulthood and it presents in a variety of contexts. Symptoms include; suspicion with on basis that others are exploiting, harming, or deceiving him or her, anxious with groundless doubts, about trust and loyalty with friends and acquaintances. The patient is often reluctant to confide in others because of fear that the information will be used maliciously against him or her, and reads hidden demeaning or threatening meanings into benign remarks or events. They often hold grudges, and perceives attacks on their character or reputation that are to apparent to others, and is quick to react angrily or to counterattack.

Treatment
Paranoid personality is difficult to diagnose, and even more difficult to treat. In most cases the patient is to paranoid to accept treatment. As of now not enough patients have agreed to treatment  is not enough data to suggest which treatment for PPD is the most affective. For those who do accept treatment, they usually do not continue treatment long enough to show lasting results. If the patient accepts treatment, the treatment of choice is psychotherapy. The paranoia that comes with this disorder makes things difficult to start treatment and establish a lasting relationship that effective treatment calls for. It usually includes a supportive client centered approach. Unlike some mental disorders that are treated with medications, PPD itself cannot be treated with medication. However, if the symptoms of PPD get severe enough they can be treated. If extreme anxiety or delusional thoughts occur that may cause the patient to harm them self or others, anti-anxiety and anti-psychotics like diazepam, thioridazine or haloperidol can be prescribed. If the paranoia gets severe enough that it needs medication, chances are the patient will not take them.