Essay/Term paper: Paranoid personality disorders

Essay, term paper, research paper:  Social Issues

Paranoid Personality Disorders


Paranoid Personality Disorder is a disorder commonly mistaken for
schizophrenic personality disorders. Schizophrenia, a psychosis, is when a
person is has an image of a world and its transpiring events, and he/she is
"living" it. Paranoid Personality Disorder, however, is a neurosis where an
individual is living in the real world. This disorder, though not as
debilitating as other disorders, can still devastate a someone's life.
Individuals with this Paranoid Personality Disorder always assume that
other people are "out to get them" even if there is no evidence that this is
true. They are constantly doubting others around them and scrutinizing every
action. This attitude is taken on towards all people, like friends or
associates, not only strangers. For these reasons, people with this personality
disorder rarely confide in people and are actually amazed if someone shows
loyalty. However, this amazement also gives way to disbelief and falls back
towards the idea that this newfound loyalty is part of a plot to cause harm.
Those of with the disorder also tend to bear their grudges and unwilling
to forgive. They nurture their grudges and anger, which over time, gives them
more of a sense that it is the outside world which the problem, not themselves.
At times, these individuals may also conjure up flamboyant illusions to confirm
their behavior toward others.
These feelings are also carried out towards family as well. One example
could be as if a person with this personality disorder had a spouse or sexual
partner, this individual constantly thinks that their partner or spouse is
cheating on them. Often, the spouse or partner is barraged with questions
questioning their whereabouts, faithfulness, or intentions.
It is believed that these symptoms first appear usually during childhood
or adolescence. Those believed to be most prone are "loners," those who are
unable to maintain stable relationships with others, social anxiety, sometimes
underachieve in school, are hypersensitive, have strange thoughts and language,
and (as stated before) fantasies. To "normal" people, individuals with this
paranoid personality disorder may seem out of place and commonly attract teasing.

Those usually affected by these symptoms are usually those who are of
minority groups, immigrants, refugees, or people with different ethnic
backgrounds. The reason for this is because these people are unfamiliar with
these new and different concepts. These individuals may have a language problem,
or unfamiliar with local customs and/or laws. Problems such as these may
generate anger and mistrust among the individuals, and are paranoid, but not
necessarily someone with the Paranoid Personality Disorder. The reason being
this person still places trust in the family and may have friends. However, to
legally have this disorder, one must show the symptoms listed above, and be
completely suspicious and hostility toward others.
Another possibility widely being speculated upon is the brain. In the
brain, there are many chemicals, and for the brain to function correctly, there
must a balance of each type of chemical. As of now, scientists don't know
exactly which chemicals are responsible, but are optimistic.
There is also evidence suggesting that there is an increased possibility
that someone with a relative that suffers from chronic Schizophrenia
(specifically Persecutory and Delusional Type) is more likely to develop
Paranoid Personality Disorder.
Among people in the United States, there is a relatively small
percentage of people with this disorder. In the general population, there is
approximately 0.5%-2.5% with Paranoid Personality Disorder. In inpatient
settings, the prevalence is much high than in outpatient settings. For
inpatients psychiatric settings, the percentage ranges from 10%-30%, as opposed
to 2%-10% in the outpatient mental health clinics. Of those diagnosed with this
disorder, there are more males reported to have this disorder than females,
though the reason is not known why.
These statistics are of those reported, therefore there may be a greater
percentage in the world. People with personality disorders such as this tend
not to seek treatment. When they do go to a therapists' office, it is usually
on the initiative of a spouse or a problem arising from their child.
Unfortunately, these individuals are resistant to treatment, even when they
enter therapy voluntarily.
Though not much is known about a cure for the Paranoid Personality
Disorder, there treatments performed in an attempt to reduce the extremity of
the disorder. One method that can be used is reinforcement of adaptive
behaviors. Such as congratulations, or some sort of prize or comment to uplift
the person's morale hopefully change their thoughts about others. Another
possible treatment is psychotherapy or psychoanaylsis. The significance these
two are that the therapists are able to give the patient a chance to realize
their self-defeating behavior or break patterns that lead to unhappiness. By
talking to the individual with the disorder, the therapist may gain enough trust
to help reduce the paranoia. However, if the therapist breaks the trust, hopes
of recovery may be extremely slim, for it would only give support to the
paranoia the patient already has.
Hopefully, in the near future, there will be another form of treatment
that can cure, or at least come close to curing the Paranoid Personality
Disorder. The best hope of this lies in scientific research upon the brain and
the chemicals which control emotions and actions. In doing so, many people who
suffer from this disorder may lead a life without paranoia.