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.