Paranoid Personality Disorder

Diagnosis

According to the DSM-IV-TR, this disorder is characterized by a pervasive distrust and suspiciousness of others such that their motives are interpreted as malevolent, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by four (or more) of the following:

-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 in 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
-Has recurrent suspicions, without justification, regarding fidelity of spouse or sexual partner.
Exclusionary conditions:

-Does not occur exclusively during the course of a mood disorder with psychotic features, schizophrenia, or another psychotic disorder.
-Is not due to the direct physiological effects of a general medical condition.