What is a core feature of Paranoid Personality Disorder?

What is a core feature of Paranoid Personality Disorder?

• A. Pervasive suspiciousness and distrust of others
• B. Social withdrawal due to fear of rejection
• C. Rapid mood changes
• D. Excessive need for admiration

Answer: (A)

Paranoid Personality Disorder centers on pervasive suspiciousness and distrust of others. This pattern means the person consistently interprets others’ actions as having malicious intent, doubts others’ loyalty or honesty, and often holds grudges. It persists across many situations and relationships, not just in one context, and individuals may read neutral remarks as personal threats, feel unjustly attacked, and resist sharing information or relying on others because they fear betrayal. This widespread mistrust is what sets it apart from other personality patterns—for example, social withdrawal due to fear of rejection is more typical of avoidant personality, rapid mood changes suggest mood instability seen in other disorders, and an excessive need for admiration aligns with narcissistic personality. So the hallmark feature is the enduring, widespread suspicion and distrust of others.

Paranoid Personality Disorder centers on pervasive suspiciousness and distrust of others. This pattern means the person consistently interprets others’ actions as having malicious intent, doubts others’ loyalty or honesty, and often holds grudges. It persists across many situations and relationships, not just in one context, and individuals may read neutral remarks as personal threats, feel unjustly attacked, and resist sharing information or relying on others because they fear betrayal. This widespread mistrust is what sets it apart from other personality patterns—for example, social withdrawal due to fear of rejection is more typical of avoidant personality, rapid mood changes suggest mood instability seen in other disorders, and an excessive need for admiration aligns with narcissistic personality. So the hallmark feature is the enduring, widespread suspicion and distrust of others.