Diagnostic Criteria of Paranoid Personality Disorder
Paranoid Personality Disorder (PPD) is marked by pervasive distrust and suspicion of others. According to DSM-5, diagnosis requires the presence of at least four of the following symptoms, beginning by early adulthood:
- Suspects others are exploiting, harming, or deceiving them without sufficient basis
- Is preoccupied with doubts about loyalty or trustworthiness of friends or associates
- Is reluctant to confide in others due to unwarranted fear
- Reads hidden demeaning or threatening meanings into benign remarks or events
- Persistently bears grudges
- Perceives attacks on their character and reacts with anger or counterattacks
- Has recurrent suspicions regarding fidelity of spouse or sexual partner
The pattern must not occur exclusively during schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders.