Paranoid Personality Disorder

Help!!!!

How would you deal with someone with paranoid personality disorder?

dar100

Are you asking this question from a professional stance?

Valmont

You should probably keep an eye on them

Labarbapostiza

Valmont wrote: »

You should probably keep an eye on them

That's kind of part of the problem.....they think everyone is keeping an eye on them.


Were you trying to make a joke?

Help!!!!

dar100 wrote: »

Are you asking this question from a professional stance?

No from a personal stance

Labarbapostiza

Help!!!! wrote: »

No from a personal stance

Paranoia is difficult enough for professionals to deal with.

If it's really mild paranoia; the person thinks people they know are out to get them. People may be out to get them. But if it's just excessive anxiety, just talking to them about it might help.

If it's a bit more; if they think complete strangers are whispering about them wherever they go. Or that everyone is staring at them all the time. They need to go see their GP.

And again if it's even a bit more; if they believe they're being pursued by people who don't exist. Or if they have a delusional sounding story about who is pursuing them. Then they absolutely need to go see a GP.

There isn't a paranoid personality disorder. Paranoia can come as part of personality disorders, or schizophrenia or depression. Drug use can cause it too. Brain damage from a stroke can also bring it on.

If you're dealing with someone who has bad paranoia and is not getting treatment, you should encourage them to get some. If on the other hand you are dealing with someone who is receiving treatment, they may be still experiencing paranoia even though they're receiving treatment. They may be aware they're experiencing paranoia, but in the middle of an episode they may be unaware that they're experiencing a delusion. The best thing you can do in a situation like that is just try to calm them by telling them they're safe......And don't get angry or have an argument with them, it will make them worse. When the delusion passes you can talk to them about it, but don't get them angry or upset, that can put them back in a delusional state.

Mathrew

Tell him/her that there's nothing to worry about(if it's simple as that). It's just really hard to deal with them.

Valmont

What can a GP do for someone who is paranoid?

Labarbapostiza

Valmont wrote: »

What can a GP do for someone who is paranoid?

The GP can make an informed assessment. The paranoia may indicate the person is in the prodrome of their first episode of schizophrenia, and need an urgent referral to a psychiatrist. Or, their paranoia is just the facet of a general anxiety issue, or depression, or mania.

How good they are at handling mental health issues depends on the GP. And some are bad to the point they end up killing their patients.