Paranoid personality disorder: Difference between revisions
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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. | 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. | ||
Paranoia was initially considered (following [[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]]). | 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]]). | ||
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. | 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. | ||
Revision as of 01:19, 10 January 2008
Paranoid personality disorder is defined as a personality disorder primarily characterized by paranoid features.
Clinically, it can be identified with a specific set of (highly interrelated) DSM [1] 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 delusions or psychosis, but implies the presence of ongoing, unbased suspiciousness and distrust of people.
Paranoia was initially considered (following Sigmund Freud) to arise as an adaptive defense against unconscious impulses[2]. Psychiatrists may still characterize paranoid behaviour in terms of existing constructs such as defense mechanisms (prominently including denial).
Paranoia can also been defined in a less specified manner than the DSM diagnostic characterization of the paranoid personality. For instance, Colby[3] refers to paranoia generally 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.
The term "paranoia" has been widely exported into common usage, where it may describe not the psychiatrically-defined personality condition but simply any behavioural tendencies or attitudes indicating excessive fear.
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.
References
- ↑ American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. American Psychiatric Press: Washington DC
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 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 |