Paranoid Personality Disorder

Pattern of pervasive mistrust and suspicion of others and misinterpretation of others’ motives as malevolent
Possible hereditary link and studies revealed high incidences of paranoid disorder among relatives of individuals with schizophrenia and delusional disorder
Psychological factors include a history of childhood trauma, including neglect, parental antagonism and harassment (Perceiving the world as harsh and unkind requiring protective vigilance and mistrust)
Begins in early adulthood and remains present in a variety of contexts
Clinical picture:
- Suspicious
  - unsupported by evidence
- Mistrustful
- “On guard” ( hypervigilant)
- Fear others will hurt them
- Lack the “milk of human kindness”
- Blame others for their shortcomings