Paranoia: symptoms, causes, to treatment • hello healthy

Definition

What is paranoid personality disorder?

Paranoid personality disorder (PFD) or paranoia is a type of personality disorder that affects the mindset, function, and behavior of the sufferer. People with this condition generally have difficulty understanding and relating to certain situations and other people.

As a result, sufferers have a constant sense of suspicion and distrust of others. Other signs of this condition include reluctance to tell others, holding grudges, and believing that all people or events are always “threatening” or “demeaning” them.

Because of these thought patterns and behaviors, sufferers of this disorder are often irritable and hostile to others. This makes it difficult for sufferers to carry out normal social, work and school activities.

This disorder can develop into delusions if irrational thoughts and beliefs are maintained continuously. In the end, nothing can convince the person that what they are thinking or feeling is not true.

When a person has paranoia or delusions, but has no other symptoms (such as hearing or seeing things that are not real), they may have what is known as delusional disorder.

Because only the mind is affected, a person with delusional disorder is usually able to work and function in daily life. However, their lives may be limited and isolated.

How common is paranoid personality disorder?

Paranoid personality disorder is a fairly common mental health condition. According to a study, paranoia is one of the most common types of mental disorders when compared to other mental conditions.

The estimated incidence rate for this condition is around 2.4% to 4.41%. In addition, this condition is more common in male patients than female patients.

This personality disorder can affect patients at any age. However, signs and symptoms most commonly begin in childhood or adolescence.

Paranoid is a condition that can be overcome by recognizing the risk factors that are present in the sufferer. To find out more information about this psychiatric condition, you can consult a doctor, psychologist, or psychiatrist.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of paranoid personality disorder?

In general, the signs and symptoms of paranoid personality disorder can only be recognized by other people who see the sufferer's daily behavior. People with this personality disorder often do not realize that their behavior is not normal.

For most sufferers of this disorder, always feeling suspicious of other people is a natural attitude to have. However, for some of the people around him, this attitude was considered strange and offensive.

Paranoid sufferers generally always show a stubborn attitude and do not trust others. Sometimes, this behavior is followed by a sarcastic attitude and can provoke the other person's emotions, so that the person with this disorder will feel that his suspicions about the other person are proven correct. In fact, all of that is only in his mind.

People with paranoia personality disorder may have other mental health disorders that can affect their condition. For example, depression and anxiety can change a person's mood. Mood swings can make paranoid sufferers feel more alienated and afraid of their surroundings.

The following are common signs and symptoms that sufferers of this personality disorder exhibit:

• a concern that the other person has ulterior motives
• believe that they will be exploited (used) by others
• doubt the commitment, loyalty or trust of others, believe that others are using or deceiving them
• reluctance to share with others or disclose personal information out of fear that it will be used against them
• unable to forgive and hold grudges
• hypersensitive and takes criticism poorly
• unable to work with other people
• read the hidden meaning of simple statements or the casual views of others
• catching attacks on their character that are invisible to others; they generally react with anger and are quick to retaliate
• have repeated suspicions, without reason, that their partner or lover is unfaithful
• socially isolated
• generally cold and distant in relationships with other people, and may be controlling and jealous
• not feeling attachment
• unfriendly, stubborn, and argumentative

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about certain symptoms, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

Check with your doctor or mental health professional if suspicion is interfering with your relationship or job.

Each sufferer's body shows signs and symptoms that vary. To find out what treatment is most appropriate and in accordance with your health condition. make sure you always check any symptoms you experience to the nearest general practitioner or psychologist.

Cause

What are the causes of paranoid personality disorder?

Until now, the exact cause of paranoid personality disorder is still not fully understood. However, experts believe that the causes of this mental disorder include a combination of biological and environmental factors. This means, this condition can occur due to internal and external influences.

1. Biological factors

This condition is actually still a debate because there is no specific gene or DNA that can cause paranoia. However, experts believe that some people are born with certain neurochemical conditions in their bodies, so they are more prone to developing these disorders.

Some of these conditions include abnormal levels of dopamine or glutamate, or certain problems with brain tissue. These conditions have the potential to reduce, although the exact possibility is still unknown.

2. Environmental factors

Environmental factors also have quite a complicated influence, such as biological factors. A person with certain biological conditions will be more susceptible to being affected by environmental factors.

The following are some of the external conditions that can trigger the appearance of this disorder:

• Malnutrition in the womb
• Infections that are passed on from the mother while in the womb
• Losing closest people, such as parents
• Childhood living in poverty
• Experiencing physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
• Emotional neglect or neglect
• Trauma
• Use of illegal drugs (marijuana, amphetamines, or hallucinogens)

Risk factors

What increases a person's risk of developing paranoid personality disorder?

Paranoid is a personality disorder that can happen to almost anyone, regardless of age group and racial group. However, there are several factors that can increase a person's risk for experiencing this disorder.

It is important for you to know that having one or more risk factors does not mean that you will definitely experience a health disorder or condition. In some cases, it is possible for a person to suffer from certain disorders without any risk factors.

There are many factors that put a person at risk of developing paranoid personality disorder, including:

1. Gender

Although it is not known exactly what causes it, this personality disorder is more common in male patients than female patients.

Therefore, if you are male, you have a higher risk of experiencing this disorder.

2. Family mental health history

Paranoia personality disorder can potentially be inherited if there are family members who have mental problems, such as schizophrenia and anxiety. If there are members of your family who have these conditions, your risk of suffering from paranoia is higher.

3. Environmental factors

Physical and emotional trauma in early childhood experiences, as well as a history of social anxiety also influence a person's susceptibility to this disorder.

Diagnosis & treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor for more information.

How is paranoid personality disorder diagnosed?

If you begin to notice signs of this disorder in yourself or those closest to you, immediately consult the problem to the nearest doctor, psychologist, or psychiatrist.

Every psychiatric disorder has standards or criteria for diagnosis. However, in general, the diagnosis of psychiatric disorders can be seen from the behavior of the sufferer that deviates from social norms and occurs in the long term.

The criteria that determine whether this deviant behavior can be categorized as a personality disorder include:

• How a person understands or describes himself, others, and certain events
• A person's emotional response to an event
• How does one deal with other people, especially in relationships
• How a person can control the impulses or desires in himself.

Sometimes, diagnosing a type of personality disorder is quite difficult, considering that some psychiatric disorders show signs and symptoms that are not much different.

Paranoid personality disorder is diagnosed based on physical and psychological evaluation. The doctor will begin the evaluation with a complete medical and psychiatric history, and if indicated, a physical examination will be carried out.

1. Physical examination

The doctor will give in-depth questions about your health condition. In some cases, your symptoms may be related to other physical health problems.

The general physical examination also includes laboratory tests and screening alcohol or illegal drugs.

Although there are no laboratory tests to specifically diagnose personality disorders, doctors can use a variety of diagnostic tests to rule out physical ailments as the cause of symptoms.

If no physical problems are found, the doctor will refer the patient to a psychologist or psychiatrist to assess the personality disorder, and consider how long and how severe the person's symptoms are.

2. Psychiatric tests

A mental health professional will carry out a more comprehensive mental assessment. Examinations generally include discussion of how your childhood was, school, work, and relationships with those around you.

They will also ask you how you would respond to a particular situation or case. It is important to know how you react to a condition or event, as well as the thought patterns you have.

For example, they could ask what you would do if you found someone's wallet on the sidewalk, or when you were in a busy place and saw someone staring at you all the time. The mental health professional will then make a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan.

What are the treatments for paranoid personality disorder?

Treatment of this condition is quite difficult. This is because sufferers often feel excessively suspicious of other people, including doctors and psychiatrists.

In order for the treatment process to run smoothly, the patient must be able to accept the situation and the treatment offered. If the patient can accept the treatment procedure, the treatment success rate will be higher. The most important thing for patients to remember is to find the right doctor or psychiatrist.

Doctors can help patients to be more open with counseling therapy and prescribe certain medications. Here are some types of paranoia personality disorder treatment and management:

1. Speech therapy

Talking therapy can help you understand the experiences you have had and how you have dealt with them.

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

CBT therapy is the most commonly recommended therapy by doctors. During CBT, your doctor or mental professional will look into your thoughts, beliefs, and understanding of many things.

• Other speech therapies

Apart from CBT, your doctor will also recommend that you do some of the following therapies;

- Art therapies

- Psychodynamic therapy

- Counseling

- Systemic therapy with family members

2. Medicines

Medicine is generally not the main focus of treatment. However, medications, such as anti-anxiety medications, antidepressants, or antipsychotics, may be prescribed if the symptoms are severe, or if the person is also suffering from other related psychological problems, such as anxiety or depression.

Individuals who receive treatment are able to keep jobs and maintain healthy relationships. However, they have to continue treatment throughout their life because there is no cure for this condition. The symptoms of paranoia will continue, but can be controlled with attention and support.

People with psychiatric disorders who refuse treatment may lead less functional lives. This condition can interfere with their ability to keep a job or have positive social interactions.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be made to treat paranoid personality disorder?

There are still no self-tips that can help patients control this disorder, because people with paranoia tend to be distrustful and suspicious of other people and their motivations, making group dynamics and assistance less likely to provide solutions and possibly even harm.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor to understand the best solution for you.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.