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."