Paranoid Personality Disorder

The most familiar characteristics of people with paranoid personality disorder are a sense of insecurity and suspicion that has no source. This disorder, which usually begins in childhood or adolescence, is more common in males. The feelings of distrust and suspicion that the person experiences create problems in establishing and maintaining relationships in social life. Although it is thought that this disorder emerges as a result of a combination of biological and psychological factors, according to research, the fact that schizophrenia is also common in close relatives of these people underlines that there is a genetic predisposition to both diseases.

People with Paranoid Personality Disorder:

- Doubt the loyalty or trustworthiness of those around them, believing that they are deceiving them.

- They are unforgiving and hold grudges.

- They are hypersensitive and perceive criticism as weakness.

- They infer hidden meanings from people's behavior.

- They have irrational suspicions that their partners are unfaithful.

- They are generally cold and distant in their relationships with others.

- They believe they are always right.

People with this disorder do not think they need treatment. Their distrust of others also leads them to have problems trusting people who are experts in the field of psychology, which significantly affects the therapy process. Psychotherapy focuses on coping skills, increasing empathy and trust, and improving social skills. In general, there is no drug treatment for this disorder, but medication may be used if the person's symptoms are severe and there is an accompanying psychological problem.