Paranoid Personality Disorder, Research Paper Example

Paranoid Personality Disorder is one of the most common diseases in our world today. We see it everywhere all over the world and in so many different people. However, many did not speak of Paranoid Personality Disorders in the old days. Peter Tyrer (2001) states:

I think the reason for this was that personality disorder had such a strong flavor of criticism that, even in a discipline in which stigma confronts us on every corner, its words were the ultimate derogatory label that, once attached, became virtually indelible (Tyrer, p.81).

Paranoid Personality Disorder includes disorders such as Schizophrenia and can be very difficult for a person to live with on a daily basis. According to Psych Central Staff in their article “Paranoid Personality Disorder” (2010), people with Paranoid Personality Disorder tend to have a long-standing pattern of distrust for people and are commonly suspicious of other’s intentions. Tyrer (2001) backs this up as well stating that “those with the disorder do have less close contact with other people” (p.81). These individuals are paranoid that others are out to get them, that they will be harmed, exploited or deceived by others and they are constantly on the lookout for people like this. These individuals are generally very difficult to get along with as they are too suspicious of and hostile with others (Psych Central Staff, “Paranoid Personality Disorder,” 2010). “Although they may appear to be objective, rational, and unemotional, they more often display a labile range of affect, with hostile, stubborn, and sarcastic expressions predominating” (Psych Central Staff, “Paranoid Personality Disorder,” 2010, p. 1). According to Banerjee, Gibbon and Huband (2009), it is important that these disorders are properly assessed because they pose a significant impact on the individual’s functioning.

Researchers are not quite sure what causes Paranoid Personality Disorder but suspect that it has a lot to do with biological and genetic factors as well as environment, social factors and psychological factors (Psych Central Staff, “Paranoid Personality Disorder,” 2010). There is not just one factor that contributes to the cause of this disorder; there could be many. While some believe this, others believe that the disease may be contributed to learned behavior with a connection between the other factors just listed. Nobody is really sure and more research should be done to find the real cause of the disorder. A person’s environment could certainly be a cause to these disorders. Environment can include anything from their home life, school life, people they are surrounded by on a daily basis, and how they are treated in all of these environments. As stated above, many researchers believe that social factors such as background, culture and a person’s surroundings may cause someone to develop a personality disorder. Psychological factors, both biological and learned, can be a sure factor for the cause of personality disorders as well. Tyrer (2001) states that “adjectival descriptions such as schizoid, cyclothymic, hysterical (histrionic) and obsessional have become securely attached to personality disorder and are now extremely well known through ‘long clinical traditions’” (p.82). Psych Central Staff provides us with several symptoms of Paranoid Personality Disorders:

Suspects, without sufficient basis, that others are exploiting, harming, or deceiving him or her; Is preoccupied with unjustified doubts about the loyalty or trustworthiness of friends or associates; Is reluctant to confide in others because of unwarranted fear that the information will be used maliciously against him or her; Reads hidden demeaning or threatening meanings into benign remarks or events; Persistently bears grudges, i.e., is unforgiving of insults, injuries, or slights; Perceives attacks on his or her character or reputation that are not apparent to others and is quick to react angrily or to counterattack; and has recurrent suspicions, without justification, regarding fidelity of spouse or sexual partner (“Paranoid Personality Disorder,” 2010, p. 1).

According to Psych Central Staff in their article “Paranoid Personality Disorder Treatment” (2010), psychotherapy is the most common treatment both in the past and today. It is important for the therapist to build a trusting relationship with the client. In the past, medications were used to treat these disorders; however, many therapists have found the medications to be counterproductive. Psych Central Staff states that the medications “can arouse unnecessary suspicion that will usually result in noncompliance and treatment dropout” (“Paranoid Personality Disorder Treatment,” 2010, p. 2). Psych Central Staff states the following

An anti-anxiety agent, such as diazepam, is appropriate to prescribe if the client suffers from severe anxiety or agitation where it begins to interfere with normal, daily functioning. An anti-psychotic medication, such as thioridazine or haloperidol, may be appropriate if a patient decompensates into severe agitation or delusional thinking which may result in self-harm or harm to others (“Paranoid Personality Disorder Treatment,” 2010, p. 2).

However, other than for anxiety and agitation that may cause harm or that may cause the patient to be able to function normally, medications are not normally prescribed.

Recently, the most productive way to treat these disorders is through psychotherapy with a trained mental health therapist. Group sessions are not advised and there are not any self-help support groups or communities to help individuals with these disorders. Again, medications are not to be used unless they will actually help the person with anxiety or delusional thinking which may cause them to harm themselves or others (Psych Central Staff, “Paranoid Personality Disorder Treatment,” 2010). According to Psych Central Staff, the long-term prognosis for those with paranoid personality disorders is not good. Individuals who suffer from the disorder are normally going to have the symptoms for the rest of their lives and must learn to deal with the disorder. These individuals may join day treatment programs or state hospitals, but they should not be involved in group or family therapy as this may cause them to lash out at others or get severely agitated (“Paranoid Personality Disorder Treatment,” 2010, p.1).

Banerjee, Gibbon, and Huband (2009) state that they believe the most important form of treatment is therapy with a mental health therapist that will be able to form a bond with the client and help them become functional in all areas of his or her life. As stated earlier, many state that the best and only way to treat these disorders is through psychotherapy; however, Peter Tyrer (2001) states that “fifty years ago the only treatment claiming success in the management of personality disorders was the therapeutic community,” but we now have more options and they all work (p. 83). He states that we now have drug therapy, psychodynamic therapy, day hospital intervention, cognitive-behavioral therapy, cognitive analytic therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy which are all helpful to the client. Finally, Youl-Ri Kim and Peter Tyrer (2010) state that there are new treatments that are beginning to emerge that show evidence of some hope (p. 6). However, who do we listen to? Is drug therapy good? Is it not? The biggest question is where we go from here.

Paranoid Personality Disorders are very difficult to deal with, both for the person that has to live with it and the mental health professionals that have to learn to help these individuals. Fifty years ago, the words weren’t even spoken of because many professionals believed that these individuals would be labeled. However, today, the disorder is widely known and many therapists are treating individuals who have some type of Paranoid Personality Disorder. Medications are rarely used and the main source of treatment is psychotherapy. Many therapists believe that therapy is the best option as they have the chance to spend time with the individuals and build a strong bond with them. These therapists take a lot of time learning the individuals, forming bonds, helping them deal with their disorders and helping them understand what is really going on inside their heads. As the years go on, many therapists believe there is hope for better treatments even though the personality disorders will never completely go away.

References

Banerjee, P. J. M., Gibbon, S., & Huband, N. (2009). Assessment of personality disorder. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 15, 389-397. doi: 10.1192.apt.bp.107.005389

Kim, Y., & Tyrer, P. (2010). Controversies surrounding classification of personality disorder. Korean Neuropsychiatric Association, 7, 1-8. doi: 10.4306/pi.2010.7.1.1

Psych Central Staff. (2010, June 01). Paranoid personality disorder. Retrieved from http://psychcentral.com/disorders/sx37.html

Psych Central Staff. (2010, June 01). Paranoid personality disorder treatment. Retrieved from http://psychcentral.com/disorders/sx37t.htm

Tyrer, P. (2001). Personality disorder. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 179, 81-84. doi: 10.1192/bjp.179.1.81