This particular personality disorder is very
difficult to deal with and even harder to treat.
This is because people
who suffer from this condition have an immense distrust of people even
when they have been done no harm. This alienates them from people who
would otherwise become a social support for them and also from the
medical community that only wants to help them.
Paranoid personality disorder manifests itself with these symptoms:
- Overly suspicious that others are trying to exploit, harm or deceive without cause to believe so.
- Hearing benign or benevolent remarks as being viscous.
- Holding grudges for a long period of time.
- Fear of revealing personal feelings or information to others because that information may be used against him or her.
- Persistent thoughts or doubts that a friend or acquaintance is out to get them.
- Perception of attacks or insults that other people do not see.
- Recurring suspicions about the actions and fidelity of a mate.
As you can imagine, people suffering from paranoid personality disorder
find it very uncomfortable to be around people and to sustain
relationships. Their deep-seeded fear and mistrust of people often
results in them pushing away anyone who tries to come near them.
People with this type of personality disorder are also very distrusting
of the medical community. This makes it extremely difficult to get the
patient to agree to treatment, take the prescribed medications, and
follow up throughout the course of treatment. That is why a
business-like approach to treatment is recommended for paranoid
personality disorder.
