Paranoia is an ever-present feeling of suspicion that
others cannot be trusted. Such feelings are not based on fact or reality;
insecurity and low self-esteem often exaggerate these emotions. Typically,
paranoia is not seen in children, but in most cases it begins to develop
in late adolescence and early adulthood. Most people experience feelings
of paranoia, usually in response to a threatening situation or in
connection with feelings of insecurity based on real circumstances. These
feelings are related to the mild anxiety people experience at some points
during their lives.
The fourth edition of Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) includes diagnostic criteria for the
more serious condition, paranoid personality disorder. According to the
DSM-IV, individuals afflicted with this disorder assume, with little
concrete evidence to support the assumption, that others plan to exploit,
harm, or deceive him or her; and continually analyzes the motivations of
friends, family, and others to confirm his or her doubts about their
trustworthiness; expects friends and family to abandon him or her in times
of trouble or stress; avoids revealing personal information because of
fear that it will be used against him or her; interprets remarks and
actions as having hidden, demeaning, and threatening connotations; and is
unwilling to forgive an insult. The behaviorof an individual with paranoid
personality disorder may compel others to react with anger or hostility.
This tends to reinforce the individual's suspiciousness and feelings that
friends and associates are "against" him or her.
In the 1990s, the term "everyday paranoia" (EP) came
into usage among psychologists to describe the intense anxiety that was
becoming prevalent in society. Everyday paranoia is sparked by fear of
losing one's job, feelings of inadequacy when confronting a new
interpersonal or romantic relationship, or insecurity in a marriage or
other long-term relationship. Low self-esteem and feelings of insecurity
contribute to a person's susceptibility to feelings of everyday paranoia.
Stressful situations-economic insecurity, divorce, a move, a job
change-can also reinforce a person's paranoia. Almost everyone experiences
feelings of suspicion or insecurity-and in fact, paranoia can be a
mechanism for coping with misfortune or personal problems. Rather than
view the situation as "bad luck" or personal failure or incompetence,
paranoia places the responsibility for the problem on some "enemy."
The term paranoia is used erroneously at times to
define special life circumstances. Members of minority groups and new
immigrants may exhibit guarded behavior due to unfamiliarity with their
new environment and lack of knowledge of language and cultural norms. This
display of suspicion of authority figures and lack of trust in outsiders
is based on a real lack of understanding of the person's surroundings, and
does not represent an abnormal reaction. In addition, the term "political
paranoia" is used to describe attitudes shared by members of groups on the
fringes of society who suspect that government agencies are conspiring to
control the lives of citizens by imposing new values, or suspect that
other dominant groups are persecuting them. The growth of paramilitary
organizations in the United States in recent years appears to be
indicative of such feelings of political paranoia among a small percentage
of citizens.
Paranoid
Paranoid personality disorder is characterized by a
distrust of others and a constant suspicion that people around you have
sinister motives. People with this disorder tend to have excessive trust
in their own knowledge and abilities and usually avoid close relationships
with others. They search for hidden meanings in everything and read
hostile intentions into the actions of others. They are quick to challenge
the loyalties of friends and loved ones and often appear cold and distant
to others. They usually shift blame to others and tend to carry long
grudges.
Schizoid
People with schizoid personality disorder avoid
relationships and do not show much emotion. They genuinely prefer to be
alone and do not secretly wish for popularity. They tend to seek jobs that
require little social contact. Their social skills are often weak and they
do not show a need for attention or acceptance. They are perceived as
humorless and distant and often are termed "loners."
Schizotypal
Many believe that schizotypal personality disorder
represents mild schizophrenia. The disorder is characterized by odd forms
of thinking and perceiving, and individuals with this disorder often seek
isolation from others. They sometimes believe to have extra sensory
ability or that unrelated events relate to them in some important way.
They generally engage in eccentric behavior and have difficulty
concentrating for long periods of time. Their speech is often over
elaborate and difficult to follow.
Antisocial
A common misconception is that antisocial personality
disorder refers to people who have poor social skills. The opposite is
often the case. Instead, antisocial personality disorder is characterized
by a lack of conscience. People with this disorder are prone to criminal
behavior, believing that their victims are weak and deserving of being
taken advantage of. They tend to lie and steal. Often, they are careless
with money and take action without thinking about consequences. They are
often agressive and are much more concerned with their own needs than the
needs of others.
Borderline
Borderline personality disorder is characterized by
mood instability and poor self-image. People with this disorder are prone
to constant mood swings and bouts of anger. Often, they will take their
anger out on themselves, causing themselves injury. Suicidal threats and
actions are not uncommon. They think in very black and white terms and
often form intense, conflict-ridden relationships. They are quick to anger
when their expectations are not met.
Histrionic
People with histrionic personality disorder are
constant attention seekers. They need to be the center of attention all
the time, often interrupting others in order to dominate the conversation.
They use grandiose language to discribe everyday events and seek constant
praise. They may dress provacatively or exaggerate illnesses in order to
gain attention. They also tend to exaggerate friendships and
relationships, believing that everyone loves them. They are often
manipulative.