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.