Paranoid, Schizoid and Schizotypal Personality Disorders

Introduction – Personality Disorders Part 2

First of all, what do you really know about paranoid and other personality disorders? Maybe you are reading this because you may be wondering if these disorders are applicable to someone you know. Another good read would be to gain perspective on your own habit. Whereas it’s important to get friends and family to help if needed, resist the urge to practice armchair psychology. Although the idea of a personality disorder is something that may lead to playful banter, these issues can be quite serious.

In this post, we discuss the group of disorders that involves especially odd thinking or behavior. As a group, these are known as Cluster A personality disorders. Although there are three disorders in this group (paranoid, schizoid and schizotypal), we’ll focus on paranoid personality disorder.

Another important consideration is that those with personality disorders do not necessarily have psychosis. As is the case with all personality disorders, a single cause is unknown. There is a mix of genetic predisposition and environmental triggers that appear to play roles.

Paranoid Personality Disorder

Individuals with paranoid personality disorder (PPD) have a long history of distrust and suspicion. Consequently, this often leads to social isolation and poor functioning. Even more, PPD often results in compromised school, work and personal relationships. It is more common in men and families with psychotic disorders.

Symptoms may include the following:

Constant feeling of being in danger
Unjustified belief that others have hidden motives and are trying to harm, deceive or exploit
Unjustified suspicion of the loyalty or trustworthiness of others
Hesitance to confide in others due to unreasonable fear that others will use the information against you
Perception of innocent remarks or unthreatening situations as personal insults or attacks
Angry or hostile reaction to perceived slights or insults, with a tendency to hold grudges
Unjustified, recurrent suspicion that spouse or sexual partner is unfaithful
Inability to work together with others
Detachment and social isolation
Lack of insight that feelings are unjustified

Furthermore, treatment is difficult because people with this condition are often very suspicious of doctors. Fortunately, medications and behavioral (talk) therapy can often be effective. This type of therapy is effective at reducing paranoia and limiting the impact on the person’s daily functioning.

The other two disorders in Cluster A are schizoid and schizotypal personality disorders. Causes and treatments are similar to those in PPD, but here are some of the defining symptoms of each.

Schizoid Personality Disorder

Think of an excessively flat personality

Appearance of indifference to others
Inability to take pleasure in activities or accomplishments
Inability to pick up on social cues
Little emotional expression
Little interest in sex or interpersonal relationships

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Think of abnormal thoughts and activities

Belief that incidents or events have hidden messages meant specifically for you
Belief that you can influence people and events with your thoughts (aka magical thinking)
Inappropriately indifferent responses to others
Inappropriate or flat emotions
Lack of comfort with close relationships, even with family
Odd perceptual experiences, such as hearing a voice say your name
Social anxiety

Above all, it’s not enough to have some symptoms. A level of social dysfunction is necessary to establish a diagnosis.

Click here for an introduction to personality disorders.

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