Paranoid personality disorder

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Paranoid personality disorder

Definition:

Paranoid personality disorder is a psychiatric condition characaterized 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: 12/9/2004
Reviewed By: James W. Dilley M.D., Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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