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Paranoid personality disorder

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment

Definition:

Paranoid personality disorder is a psychiatric condition characterized by extreme distrust and suspicion of others.

Alternative Names:

Personality disorder - paranoid

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Personality disorders are chronic patterns of behavior that cause lasting problems with work and relationships. The cause of paranoid personality disorder is unknown, but it appears to be more common in families with psychotic disorders like schizophrenia and delusional disorder, which suggests a genetic influence.

• Review Date: 11/15/2006
• Reviewed By: Paul Ballas, D.O., Department of Psychiatry, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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