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'''Paranoid personality disorder''' is defined as a [[personality disorder]] primarily characterized by [[paranoia|paranoid]] features.
'''Paranoid personality disorder''' is identified as a [[personality disorder]] primarily characterized by [[paranoia|paranoid]] features, including an exaggeration of sensitivity to rejection, resentfulness, and distrust, as well as the inclination to distort experiences and  events. <ref name=dsmivtr>American Psychiatric Association. (2000). ''Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders''. American Psychiatric Press: Washington DC</ref>


Clinically, it can be identified with a specific set of (highly interrelated) [[Diagnostic and Statistical Manual|DSM]] <ref name=dsmivtr>American Psychiatric Association. (2000). ''Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders''. American Psychiatric Press: Washington DC</ref> criteria. These include an exaggeration of sensitivity to rejection, resentfulness, and distrust, as well as the inclination to distort experienced events. Neutral and friendly actions of others are often misinterpreted as being hostile or contemptuous. Unfounded suspicions regarding the sexual loyalty of partners and loyalty in general as well as the belief that one's rights are not being recognized is stubbornly and argumentatively insisted upon. Such individuals can possess an excessive self-assurance and a tendency toward an exaggerated self-reference. Pathological jealousy, instinctive aggressive counter-attack, the need to control others, and the gathering of trivial or circumstantial "evidence" to support their jealous beliefs also features. The use of the term ''paranoia'' in this context is not meant to refer to the presence of frank [[delusion|delusions]] or [[psychosis]], but implies the presence of ongoing, unbased suspiciousness and distrust of people.
==Diagnostic criteria==
{{DSMCR}}


Paranoia was initially considered (following [[Sigmund Freud]]) to arise as an adaptive [[defense mechanism|defense]] against [[consciousness|unconscious]] impulses<ref name=Bone1994>Bone, S.; Oldham, J. M (1994). "Paranoia: Historical considerations." In ''Paranoia: New psychoanalytic perspectives'', J. M. Oldman & S. Bone (Eds.). Madison, Connecticut: International Universities Press, Inc.</ref>. [[Psychiatry|Psychiatrists]] may still characterize paranoid behaviour in terms of existing constructs such as [[defense mechanism]]s (prominently including [[denial]]).
Within the context of this disorder, the neutral and friendly actions of others are often misinterpreted as being hostile or contemptuous, and unfounded suspicions regarding the loyalty of others, particularly the sexual loyalty of partners, is agressively questioned.  Typically, a [[fixed fantasy]] that one's rights are not being recognized is a part of the overall [[belief system]]. Further, individuals exhibiting a paranoid character can possess an excessive self-assurance and a tendency toward an exaggerated self-reference. This is a compensatory social behavior compelled by the general feeling that one is not being recognized. Pathological jealousy, instinctive aggressive counter-attack, the need to control others, and the gathering of trivial or circumstantial evidence to support jealous beliefs are also features. The term ''paranoia'' in this context is not meant to refer to the presence of [[delusion|delusions]] or [[psychosis]], but implies the presence of ongoing, unbased suspiciousness and distrust of people.


Paranoia can also been defined in a less specified manner than the DSM diagnostic characterization of the paranoid personality. For instance, Colby<ref name=Colby1975>Colby, K. M. (1975). ''Artificial paranoia: A computer simulation of paranoid processes''. Toronto: Pergamon Press.</ref> refers to paranoia generally as "the presence of persecutory delusions", an umbrella category that includes distinct somatic, erotic, grandeur, and jealousy [[delusion]]s. Such delusions may be identified as consistent misinterpretations of events in the paranoid individual's environment.
==Current and historical perspectives==
Paranoia was initially considered to arise as an adaptive [[defense mechanism|defense]] against [[consciousness|unconscious]] impulses, a notion derived from the work of [[Sigmund Freud]]. <ref name=Bone1994>Bone, S.; Oldham, J. M (1994). "Paranoia: Historical considerations." In ''Paranoia: New psychoanalytic perspectives'', J. M. Oldman & S. Bone (Eds.). Madison, Connecticut: International Universities Press, Inc.</ref>.


The term "paranoia" has been widely exported into common usage, where it may describe not the [[personality disorder]] but simply any behavioural tendencies or [[attitude]]s indicating excessive [[fear]].
Current interpretation of paranoid behavior has become more complex, although it is still cast in terms of existing constructs, both including [[defense mechanism]]s, and the aforementioned  [[fixed fantasy|fixed fantasies]].


==Diagnostic criteria==
Paranoia has also been defined in a less specified manner than the [[DSM]] characterization. For instance, Colby refers to paranoia as "the presence of persecutory delusions", an umbrella category that includes distinct somatic, erotic, grandeur, and jealousy [[delusion]]s.  Such delusions may be identified as consistent misinterpretations of events in the paranoid individual's environment. <ref name=Colby1975>Colby, K. M. (1975). ''Artificial paranoia: A computer simulation of paranoid processes''. Toronto: Pergamon Press.</ref>
{{DSMCR}}
 
The term "paranoia" has been widely exported into common usage, where it does not describe the [[personality disorder]] per se, but simply any behavioral tendencies or [[attitude]]s indicating excessive [[anxiety]] that provokes [[fear]] or trepidation.


==References==
==References==

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Paranoid personality disorder is identified as a personality disorder primarily characterized by paranoid features, including an exaggeration of sensitivity to rejection, resentfulness, and distrust, as well as the inclination to distort experiences and events. [1]

Diagnostic criteria

Note: The American Psychiatric Association, which publishes the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, forbids the unauthorized reproduction of their diagnostic criteria. A narrative of the DSM-IV-TR criteria follows.

Within the context of this disorder, the neutral and friendly actions of others are often misinterpreted as being hostile or contemptuous, and unfounded suspicions regarding the loyalty of others, particularly the sexual loyalty of partners, is agressively questioned. Typically, a fixed fantasy that one's rights are not being recognized is a part of the overall belief system. Further, individuals exhibiting a paranoid character can possess an excessive self-assurance and a tendency toward an exaggerated self-reference. This is a compensatory social behavior compelled by the general feeling that one is not being recognized. Pathological jealousy, instinctive aggressive counter-attack, the need to control others, and the gathering of trivial or circumstantial evidence to support jealous beliefs are also features. The term paranoia in this context is not meant to refer to the presence of delusions or psychosis, but implies the presence of ongoing, unbased suspiciousness and distrust of people.

Current and historical perspectives

Paranoia was initially considered to arise as an adaptive defense against unconscious impulses, a notion derived from the work of Sigmund Freud. [2].

Current interpretation of paranoid behavior has become more complex, although it is still cast in terms of existing constructs, both including defense mechanisms, and the aforementioned fixed fantasies.

Paranoia has also been defined in a less specified manner than the DSM characterization. For instance, Colby refers to paranoia as "the presence of persecutory delusions", an umbrella category that includes distinct somatic, erotic, grandeur, and jealousy delusions. Such delusions may be identified as consistent misinterpretations of events in the paranoid individual's environment. [3]

The term "paranoia" has been widely exported into common usage, where it does not describe the personality disorder per se, but simply any behavioral tendencies or attitudes indicating excessive anxiety that provokes fear or trepidation.

References

  1. American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. American Psychiatric Press: Washington DC
  2. Bone, S.; Oldham, J. M (1994). "Paranoia: Historical considerations." In Paranoia: New psychoanalytic perspectives, J. M. Oldman & S. Bone (Eds.). Madison, Connecticut: International Universities Press, Inc.
  3. Colby, K. M. (1975). Artificial paranoia: A computer simulation of paranoid processes. Toronto: Pergamon Press.


Personality disorders
Cluster A (Odd): Schizotypal | Schizoid | Paranoid
Cluster B (Dramatic): Antisocial | Borderline | Histrionic | Narcissistic
Cluster C (Anxious): Dependent | Obsessive-Compulsive | Avoidant