Personality disorders affect the way a person thinks, acts, perceives events, and interacts with others. NBC News states that 1 in 5 Americans has a personality disorder; this may include narcissistic, borderline, bipolar disorder, dependent or avoidant personality disorder, and more. One disorder that isn’t talked about as often is paranoia personality disorder (PPD) – if you’re experiencing these symptoms and they are significantly distressing you and causing you difficulty in your day to day life, you may want to seek the help of a health care professional.
Known for being grounded in excessive distrust and paranoia, this disorder causes people to rarely confide in others and misinterpret harmless events as malicious. For example, a person with this disorder may interpret the actions of someone else as being threatening or demeaning, when there is really no reason to think this. Psychology Today notes that people with PPD do not lost their sense of touch with reality, but they often deny their own negative feelings towards others. A person with PPD’s worst fear is being exploited or betrayed, even if a person has proven time and time again that they are trustworthy.
Self-sufficiency is often crucial for those with PPD, as they do not want to rely on someone else in fear they might betray them. The following are some examples of scenarios that may involve a person with PPD:
- Accusing a partner of being unfaithful even when there is no reason to believe this
- Being suspicious of doctors and refusing to take medication because of this
- Blaming others for negative events in one’s life
- Having a tendency to take legal actions against others
- Experiencing difficulty understanding humor and interpreting the jokes as threatening or harmful
- Constantly worrying that the government is listening to phone calls or watching through cameras
Thus, the symptoms of PPD are marked by suspicion, unjustified doubts, reluctance to confide in others, perceiving attacks on personal character, bearing grudges, and more. Friends and family of a person with PPD may have difficulty connecting and maintaining a relationship due to these intense fears.
If you believe you may have this disorder, the first step is to obtain a diagnosis from a licensed health care professional. Once you’ve done this, you can seek treatment, which often involves cognitive behavioral therapy, a form of therapy that helps people change old, negative thought patterns into newer, healthier, productive ones. It’s never too late to seek help, and there are many people ready to support you in your journey to recovery.
Avalon Malibu is a world-renowned, California state-licensed mental health and substance abuse recovery center. Our licensed, experienced professionals truly care about your success. If you are ready to seek treatment to develop the tools you need to overcome life’s obstacles, call us today at 888-958-7511 for a consultation.
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