Paranoid Personality Disorder is experienced by individuals more often than we think. The disorder occurs mostly due to people being suspicious of those around them, that is, they find themselves distrusting everyone they come into contact with. In most instances, these feelings of mistrust stem from social anxiety, since the sufferers tend to feel threatened by other people, or simply uncomfortable around them.
Paranoid Personality Disorder (PPD) is a psychological disorder and in many cases, the influences that play a role in this behavior are dated back to infancy. The first six years of a child’s life is an extremely fragile stage and an environment and upbringing greatly effects how an individual behaves as an older child and adult.
One predisposing factor that can lead to someone to have a suspicious or paranoid behavior is unfulfilled trust in infancy. If, in a child’s very early years, their needs are not met and if a child does not feel secure in his or her environment, then the chance of him or her acquiring a social or personality disorder is very likely. These children grow up feeling that their caregivers are unreliable, or do not acknowledge their needs, which then spills over to others who they come in to contact with.
PPD can however be experienced by individuals who were raised in a safe and loving environment. In some instances, they develop this behavior because of low self-worth, or because lack confidence. It is far easier making others the enemy than to acknowledge that sometimes, the problem lies within.
The real issue with PPD is that if it is not treated correctly or as soon as possible, it leads individuals to isolate themselves from others completely. It is at this stage that the disorder worsens and depression can sink in.
Paranoid Personality Disorder is something that is treatable, but requires that the suffering individual acknowledges that they need help, they need to be willing participants on the road to health. With their cooperation, one of the first steps is to show these individuals a variety of coping mechanisms which can include: breathing techniques, response techniques and calming methods. A trained psychologist will guide his or her patient through these techniques as well as others that will help them to regain self-control and develop self-worth and self-confidence.
We live in a very dynamic world where people come from all walks of life. Remember to be kind to others and practice patience, since you never know what is going through someone’s mind or what they are suffering with in silence.
