An estimated 3.2% to 4.4% of adults have paranoid personality disorder. This is more than just the average paranoia many people experience from time to time. Medical and mental health professionals identify PPD as a “pervasive pattern of distrust and suspiciousness of others.” Unfortunately, this disorder can be difficult to diagnose because the person with PPD often believes their thought process is correct. However, a comprehensive paranoia evaluation can identify this condition and allow the person to receive proper treatment.
If you believe you or someone you love might have a paranoia mental health disorder, the first step is to seek help. This article takes a closer look at the symptoms of paranoia and the steps to get diagnosed with PPD or another paranoia-related disorder.
Symptoms of Paranoia
Typically, symptoms of paranoia begin to appear in early adulthood, but it can be years before you or those around you notice these signs. While not an exclusive list, below is a look at the most common symptoms of paranoia.
- Difficulty at work — frequent infractions or job loss
- Trouble maintaining intimate relationships
- Belief, without evidence, that others are out to get you or want to harm you
- Offended easily and defensive
- Display of signs of aggression and hostility
- Inability to confide in and trust others
- Obsessing over others’ loyalties and trustworthiness
- Assumption that people are talking about you or trying to exploit you
- Holding grudges for an excessive amount of time
- Reading negative messages into others’ comments, behaviors and actions
- Difficulty accepting any type of criticism
- Believing in unproven conspiracy theories
- Thinking the world and people in general are dangerous
Who Do You See About Paranoia?
The first step to getting diagnosed with paranoia is to seek professional help. Several health care facilities and medical practitioners can make this diagnosis, including:
- Hospitals. If you’re in crisis or you feel you may be a threat to yourself or others, a visit to the hospital may be necessary. Hospitals and medical clinics typically have a psychologist or psychiatrist on duty, as well as licensed therapists and psychiatric nurses. All these medical professionals can conduct a mental health assessment to determine if you have paranoid personality disorder.
- Primary care doctors. Your family doctor can also diagnose paranoia and prescribe any necessary medication. Since these doctors don’t specialize in mental health, they may refer you to other local psychiatric services, such as counseling or rehab, for additional care.
- Psychiatrists. A psychiatrist is a licensed medical doctor who specializes in mental health disorders. These medical professionals can diagnose and treat all types and severity of mental health issues, including paranoid personality disorder and schizophrenia.
- Psychologists. While not a medical doctor, a psychologist holds a doctorate-level degree and can diagnose paranoia and prescribe antipsychotic medication. Psychologists in private practice often provide individual counseling services and may specialize in specific techniques, such as cognitive behavioral therapy.
- Therapists. Most states allow licensed therapists, such as licensed clinical social workers and licensed professional counselors with master’s-level degrees, to diagnose mental health conditions, including paranoia.
Standard Paranoia Evaluations
Medical and mental health professionals use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders when diagnosing mental health conditions, including paranoia. According to these guidelines, a person must display at least four of the designated symptoms, often beginning during early adulthood.
They must also rule out any medical conditions that could be causing these symptoms, such as a traumatic brain injury, as well as any major stressors, including moving to a new country or having been a victim of a crime such as a robbery or assault.
Additionally, paranoia can be a symptom of other mental health disorders, such as major depressive disorder, substance abuse, agoraphobia and personality disorders, including narcissistic, borderline and avoidant personality disorders. Medical practitioners need to note any co-occurring disorder during the paranoia diagnosis process.
Therapists, doctors and psychiatrists use various mental health assessments when evaluating for paranoid personality disorder, including:
Medical History and Testing
The medical practitioner or nurse gathers your current and past medical history as well as any family history of various health issues. If necessary, the doctor may order tests, such as blood tests or CT scans, to rule out other medical conditions.
Mental Health Examination
The health care professional also conducts a mental health assessment by asking you to explain any previously diagnosed mental health conditions or episodes. Doctors and therapists use this information to make sure your paranoia isn’t a symptom of another mental health condition, such as schizophrenia or psychosis.
This step can also identify any co-occurring disorders. For instance, your therapist or psychologist may conduct a delusional disorder screening to distinguish between paranoia and delusional thoughts.
Paranoid Symptom Assessment
Mental health assessments typically include an evaluation of any and all symptoms you may be experiencing. A mental health professional uses these tests to determine if the symptoms show signs of paranoia and to what extent they’re impacting your life. This allows the clinician to determine the severity of your condition.
Psychometric Assessments
Psychiatrists, psychologists and therapists also use numerous diagnostic tools to identify mental health disorders. Common paranoia diagnostic assessments include:
- Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-4
- Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5)
- Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)
Reach Out Today
If you believe you or a loved one is having paranoid thoughts, reaching out to a trained professional is crucial. They can implement the paranoia diagnosis process by conducting a series of tests and assessments. If the paranoia evaluation determines that you do have PPD, your doctor, counselor or psychiatrist can develop a comprehensive treatment plan that includes individual counseling and antipsychotics, such as clozapine, Zyprexa or Abilify. Contact the Mental Health Hotline today to start the paranoia diagnosis process.
