Personality disorder is a mental disorder that causes unhealthy and fixed thoughts and behaviors. An individual with a personality disorder has difficulty understanding events and people. This situation causes significant problems in relationships, social activities, work and school.
In some cases, it may be difficult to recognize a personality disorder because the person sees his or her way of thinking and behavior as normal. In fact, the person tends to blame other people for the difficulties he encounters.
Personality disorders usually begin in adolescence or early adulthood. There are many personality disorders, and some may become less noticeable with age.
Symptoms
Personality disorders are divided into three according to their similar characteristics and symptoms. . Individuals with one personality disorder often have another personality disorder. It is not necessary for individuals with a personality disorder to display all the behaviors caused by this disorder.
Cluster A Personality Disorders
Among the Cluster A personality disorders, there are various disorders that begin in early adulthood and There is a general mistrust and skepticism towards others, and interpretation of others' behavior as malevolent, which occurs in certain contexts. These disorders include paranoid personality disorder, schizoid personality disorder and schizotypal personality disorder.
Cluster B Personality Disorders
Cluster B personality disorders; It manifests itself in dramatic, overly emotional, or unexpected ways of thinking or behaving. These disorders include antisocial personality disorder, histrionic personality disorder, borderline personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder.
Cluster C Personality Disorders
C cluster personality disorders; It manifests itself with anxious or fearful behaviors and thoughts. These disorders include avoidant personality disorder, dependent personality disorder, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.
Paranoid personality disorder is included in cluster A personality disorders, and individuals with this disorder do not have a normal life. They must receive treatment to be able to drive a yacht.
What is paranoid personality disorder?
Paranoid personality disorder is one of the eccentric personality disorders. When it comes to eccentric personality disorder, it is understood that a person's behavior is considered strange or unusual by other people. An individual with paranoid personality disorder finds other people's behavior suspicious. He does not trust other people and may convince himself that they want to harm him. In this personality disorder, behaviors such as distrusting others, holding grudges, and searching for something else under the simplest event or comment can be seen. An individual with paranoid personality disorder may become angry very quickly and feel hostile feelings towards other people.
Paranoid personality disorder usually occurs in early adulthood and is more common in men than women.
Paranoid personality disorder. Treating the disorder can be quite challenging. Because people with this disorder have suspicions and distrust of others. A clinical psychologist must establish a trusting relationship with the client who has paranoid personality disorder. Thanks to this trust, the client can feel safe and accept that this is a disorder.
Causes of Paranoid Personality Disorder
The cause of paranoid personality disorder is unknown. However, researchers think that this disorder is caused by a combination of biological and environmental factors. It is known that paranoid disorder is more common in families where schizophrenia and delusional disorders occur. Additionally, traumas experienced during childhood may be one of the factors that trigger the disorder.
Symptoms of Paranoid Personality Disorder
Individuals with paranoid personality disorder do not think that their own behavior is abnormal. It is quite logical for people with this disorder to be suspicious of other people. However, people around people with paranoid disorder may think that this distrust is unwarranted and hurtful. The behavior of the client with paranoid disorder may be hostile and his attitude stubborn. At the same time, their collaboration with others They may adopt a sarcastic tone in conversations and think that they were right in their initial attitude when they receive hostile feedback from them.
Other situations that trigger this situation may also be observed in a person with paranoid personality disorder. For example, depression and anxiety disorders can affect the mood of individuals. When mood changes occur, the person may feel more paranoid and isolated.
Other symptoms related to paranoid disorder may be:
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Other people may have secret intentions. and thinking they will cause harm
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Doubting other people's loyalty
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Being overly sensitive to criticism
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Having difficulty working with others
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Getting angry easily and exhibiting hostile attitudes
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Separated and excluded from others to feel
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Having difficulty understanding one's own problems
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Having difficulty in relieving oneself
Some symptoms of paranoid personality disorder can be confused with other disorders. The symptoms of schizophrenia and borderline personality disorder are similar to paranoid disorder. For this reason, it can sometimes be difficult to diagnose a mental problem.
Risk Factors
Although the cause of personality disorders is unknown, some It is known that factors increase the risk and trigger personality disorders. These are:
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Family members with a personality disorder or mental illness
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An unstable, abusive and complex family life during childhood
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Being diagnosed with conduct disorder in childhood
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Changes in brain chemistry and structure
How is the disease diagnosed?
When you consult a clinical psychologist about your disease, he will want to talk about your symptoms and disease history. He or she may also want to do a physical evaluation to see if you have any other health problems. Regarding paranoid personality disorder, a clinical psychologist or, if deemed necessary, e you need to see a psychiatrist.
The psychotherapist you will consult will make a comprehensive evaluation. To do this, he or she may ask questions about your childhood, work, school and relationships. He or she may also ask some questions to see how you would react to imaginary situations. This is because it measures your possible reaction to certain situations. In this way, the specialist you consult can make a diagnosis and create a treatment plan for it.
How is it treated?
Treatments for paranoid personality disorder are quite successful. However, the problem here is that many people do not accept treatment. People with this disorder do not think that the symptoms they show are unnecessary. Psychotherapy is effective only when the person is willing to receive treatment. These methods work to:
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Teach the person how to cope with this disorder
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Teach how to communicate with other people in social interaction situations
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Helping reduce the feeling of paranoia
In addition to therapies, medications can also help in improving the disorder. Medication may be necessary, especially if the person is experiencing conditions such as depression or anxiety disorder. These drug groups are as follows:
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Antidepressants
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Benzodiazepines
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Antipsychotics
Paranoid Personality Disorder in the Long Term
It is important to follow up paranoid personality disorder in the long term. . Recovery in this disease varies depending on the patient's attitude towards treatment. People who accept treatment can maintain healthy relationships and take part in business life. However, these people need to continue the treatment for a long time. Even though the symptoms of paranoid disorder continue to be seen, the person will learn how to cope with it with support and attention.
If people with paranoid personality disorder resist treatment, this may cause their lives to continue in a more unhealthy way. This disorder makes it difficult for people to hold down a job or have healthy social interactions. It may prevent them from executing.
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