Cluster A Personality Disorders

Cluster A Personality Disorders are those considered to be marked by odd, eccentric behavior. Paranoid, Schizoid and Schizotypal Personality Disorders are in this category.

Paranoid Personality Disorder

PPD is a type of psychological personality disorder characterized by an extreme level of distrust and suspiciousness of others. Paranoid personalities are generally difficult to get along with, and their combative and distrustful nature often elicits hostility in others. The negative social interactions that result from their behavior then serve to confirm and reinforce their original pessimistic expectations.

Needless to say, those with PPD are unlikely to form many close relationships and are typically perceived as cold and distant. They are quick to challenge the loyalty of friends and loved ones and tend to carry long grudges (Dobbert 2007, Kantor 2004).

Schizoid Personality Disorder

Individuals with schizoid personality are characteristically detached from social relationships and show a restricted range of expressed emotions. Their social skills, as would be expected, are weak, and they do not typically express a need for attention or approval. They may be perceived by others as somber and aloof, and often are referred to as "loners."

Although it is not known with certainty that individuals with this personality disorder prefer their isolation, it is thought that, unlike individuals with Avoidant Personality Disorder (APD), schizoids do not secretly wish to be more socially outgoing (Dobbert 2007).

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Schizotypal personalities are characterized by odd forms of thought, perception and beliefs. They may have bizarre mannerisms, an eccentric appearance, and speech that is excessively elaborate and difficult to follow. However, these cognitive distortions and eccentricities are only considered to be a disorder when the behaviors become persistent and very disabling or distressing.

In social interactions, schizotypals may react inappropriately, not react at all, or talk to themselves. They may believe that they have extra sensory powers or that they are connected to unrelated events in some important way. However, they tend to avoid intimacy and typically have few close friends. Although schizotypals may marry and hold down jobs, they are prone to feel nervous around strangers (Dobbert 2007).

This article is a brief summary of Cluster A personality disorders. The contents of this article are not meant to be used for diagnosis and are not a substitute for professional help and counseling.

Sources

American Psychiatric Association APA (2000) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR).

Dobbert, D. (2007) Understanding Personality Disorders: An Introduction. Greenwood Press.

Kantor, M. (2004) Understanding Paranoia: A Guide for Professionals, Families, and Sufferers. Greenwood Publishing Group.

Cluster Classification of Personality Disorders

People with psychological personality disorders have traits that cause them to feel and behave in socially distressing ways. Depending on the specific disorder, these personalities are generally described in negative terms such as hostile, detached, needy, antisocial or obsessive (Dobbert 2007).There are currently 10 conditions that are considered personality disorders, some of which have very little in common. Mental health professionals group those personality disorders that share characteristics into one of three clusters:

Cluster A Personality Disorders are those considered to be marked by odd, eccentric behavior. Paranoid, Schizoid and Schizotypal Personality Disorders are in this category.

Cluster B Personality Disorders are evidenced by dramatic, erratic behaviors and include Histrionic, Narcissistic, Antisocial and Borderline Personality Disorders.

Cluster C Personality Disorders are distinguished by the anxious, fearful behavior commonly seen in Obsessive-Compulsive, Avoidant and Dependent Personality Disorders.

Prevalence, Cause & Course of Paranoid PD

PPD is a type of psychological personality disorder characterized by an extreme level of distrust and suspicion of others. Paranoid personalities are generally difficult to get along with, and their combative and distrustful nature often elicits hostility in others.

Prevalence of Paranoid PD

The prevalence of Paranoid Personality Disorder has been estimated to be as high as 4.5% of the general population and occurs more commonly in males (NESARC 2002).

Cause of Paranoid PD

The specific cause of Paranoid Personality Disorder is unknown, although there are theories that a threatening domestic atmosphere experienced during childhood may give rise to profound insecurities that contribute to the development of PPD.

This disorder is more common among first-degree biological relatives of those with Schizophrenia and Delusional Disorder, Persecutory Type. One Norwegian twin study found PPD to have a degree of heritibility and to share risk factors with Schizoid and Schizotypal Personality Disorder (Kendler et.al 2006).

Course of Paranoid PS

As is the case with many personality disorders, PPD often first becomes apparent in early adulthood. The course of this disorder is chronic (Kantor 2004).

Sources

Kantor, M. (2004) Understanding Paranoia: A Guide for Professionals, Families, and Sufferers. Greenwood Publishing Group.

National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions - NESARC (2002) Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 65.

Kendler KS, Czajkowski N, Tambs K, et al (2006). Dimensional representations of DSM-IV cluster A personality disorders in a population-based sample of Norwegian twins: a multivariate study.

Tratment of Paranoid Personality Disorder

Difficulties in the treatment of those with PPD begin with the challenge of building rapport between the patient and therapist, since paranoid personalities are, by nature, distrustful of others. Those with PPD rarely initiate treatment, and once in therapy, may terminate prematurely if the therapist challenges the patient’s paranoid thoughts too directly (Kantor 2004).

Psychotherapy and PPD

If the patient will submit to treatment, psychotherapy has been the most promising treatment method for those with Paranoid Personality Disorder, and can be useful in helping the patient control his or her paranoia. Group and family therapy, not surprisingly, is not of much use in the treatment of PPD due to the mistrust people with PPD feel towards others.

As personality is a relatively stable, deeply rooted aspect of self, the long-term projection for those with Paranoid Personality disorder is often bleak. Most patients experience the symptoms of their disorder for their entire life and, in order to manage their symptoms of paranoia, require consistent therapy (Dobbert 2007, Kantor 2004).

Medications and PPD
Although individual supportive psychotherapy is the treatment of choice for PPD, medications are sometimes used to treat related symptoms. The best use of medication may be for specific complaints such as anxiety or the delusional states that some with PPD may suffer when under stress. Unfortunately, people with PPD tend to be suspicious of medications, and no medication has yet proven to be effective in managing the long-term symptoms of PPD (Dobbert 2007, Kantor 2004).

Sources

Dobbert, D. (2007) Understanding Personality Disorders: An Introduction. Greenwood Press.

Kantor, M. (2004) Understanding Paranoia: A Guide for Professionals, Families, and Sufferers. Greenwood Publishing Group.

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Paranoid PD

Paranoid PD is considered a Cluster A personality disorder along with Schizoid and Schizotypal, and characterized by odd or eccentric behavior. A diagnosis of PPD should be considered when these paranoid behaviors become persistent and disabling.

Symptoms of Paranoid PD

According to the DSM-IV-TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), a patient must fit at least four of the following criteria in order to be diagnosed with PPD:

* unfounded suspicion that others are exploiting, harming, or deceiving him or her * preoccupation with unjustified doubts about the loyalty of friends or associates
* reluctance to confide in others because of unwarranted fear that the information will be used against him or her
* finds hidden demeaning or threatening meanings in benign remarks or events
* persistently bears grudges and is unforgiving
* frequently perceives attacks on his or her character and is quick to react angrily or to counterattack
* unjustified suspicions regarding fidelity of spouse or sexual partner

Information on Personality Disorders

There are numerous on-line and in print resources with additional information on personality disorders, including: Psychology Prof Online, and the article Types of Personality Disorders: Borderline, Narcissistic, Obsessive-Compulsive & Associated Clusters.

This article is a brief summary of the personality disorder PPD. The contents of this article are not meant to be used for diagnosis and are not a substitute for professional help and counseling.

Additional PPD Sources

American Psychiatric Association APA (2000) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR).

What Is Paranoid Personality Disorder?

What is Paranoid Personality Disorder?

PPD is a type of psychological personality disorder characterized by an extreme level of distrust and suspicion of others. Paranoid personalities are generally difficult to get along with, and their combative and distrustful nature often elicits hostility in others. The negative social interactions that result from their behavior then serve to confirm and reinforce their original pessimistic expectations.

Needless to say, those with PPD are unlikely to form many close relationships and are typically perceived as cold and distant. They are quick to challenge the loyalty of friends and loved ones and tend to carry long grudges (Dobbert 2007, Kantor 2004).

More Information on Personality Disorders

There are numerous on-line and in print resources with additional information on personality disorders, including: Psychology Prof Online, and the article Types of Personality Disorders: Borderline, Narcissistic, Obsessive-Compulsive & Associated Clusters.

This article is a brief summary of the personality disorder PPD. The contents of this article are not meant to be used for diagnosis and are not a substitute for professional help and counseling.

Additional PPD Sources

American Psychiatric Association APA (2000) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR).

Dobbert, D. (2007) Understanding Personality Disorders: An Introduction. Greenwood Press.

Kantor, M. (2004) Understanding Paranoia: A Guide for Professionals, Families, and Sufferers. Greenwood Publishing Group.

This article originally appeared in Suite101 online magazine under the title "Paranoid Personality Disorder PPD."

Sibling with Paranoid Personality Disorder

Has your sibling become paranoid? To they not trust and make false accusations. Do you see the same type of behavior in a parent or other family member? Well, they may have Paranoid Personality Disorder. Find out more about the problem through the resources on this blog, and participate!

Leave a comment or question to this post and start a conversation with others who are in your same situation.

Parent with Paranoid Personality Disorder

Are you constantly dealing with the paranoid delusions of a parent? Couple your mom or dad possibly have Paranoid Personality Disorder? Do you think that you can save the relationship, or is it time to break the ties?

Leave a comment, as a question. Lets start a conversation about living and coping with a paranoid parent.

Does My Friend have Paranoid Personality Disorder (PPD)?

Having trouble with a long-term or new friends showing signs of possessiveness and mistrust; of Paranoid Personality Disorder? Not ready to throw in the towel on the friendship? Lets talk about the problems you are facing and anything that you've tries to improve the relationship.

How long have you been friends?

Do you think that your friend has changed, or that you are just beginning to see his or her true colors?

Spouse With Paranoid Personality Disorder

Lets start a conversation here, sharing experiences of those who have a partner or spouse with Paranoid Personality Disorder. Ask questions, offer advice, get support.

Do partners get better or worse with time?

Does your partner recognize that they have a problem?

Is there anything that has improved the relationship?

Welcome to the Paranoid PD Support Blog!

This blog was set up for you; as a safe, supportive, educational and social site for friends and family members of those with Paranoid PD. I used to be the feature writer for the topic of Personality Disorders on Suite101 nline magazine, and have seen, with the number of comments to the PPD topic, that there are many people out there looking for information and a social networking to help them in their struggle to live with a partner or family member with the disorder .

Please start some conversations here. Help each other. I will initiate several topic blog posts the get the ball rolling and try to get the comments organized under heading that will make information easier for site visitors to find.

I am also interested in finding people who would like to post more than comment to the blog. If you are interested in being an author on this site, just contact me and we can make it happen.