Paranoid personality disorder is a type of personality disorder in which people are stubborn, sensitive and suspicious, overly vigilant, narrow-minded and jealous. Unwarranted suspicion is a typical characteristic of paranoid personality disorder.
These individuals are often guarded and nervous, misinterpret neutral or well-intentioned actions of others, and have a widespread mistrust and suspicion of others, for example interpreting their motives as malicious.
The patient has a high self-esteem, rejects criticism and is overly sensitive to setbacks and failures. If challenged, argumentative, sophomoric and even impulsive aggressive behaviour occurs.