paranoid personality disorder

Last reviewed 01/2018

Paranoid personality disorder (PPD), which belongs to the cluster A personality disorder, is a condition characterised by paranoia, a relentless mistrust and suspicion of others without adequate reason to be suspicious (1,2)

  • paranoia does not represent delusional psychosis but rather a “distinctly paranoid cognitive style” (2)

It is considered to be one if the most common personality disorders.

  • between 2.4%-4.1% of the general population is thought to suffer from PPD
  • often begins in childhood or early adolescence
  • appears to be more common in men than in women (1,2)

Comorbidities associated with PPD include:

  • panic disorder with agoraphobia
  • schizotypal, narcissistic, borderline, and avoidant personality disorder traits (2)

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