Paranoid Personality Disorder (PPD) is categorized as a Cluster A personality disorder, known for behavior that seems odd or eccentric. Individuals with PPD experience a high level of distrust and suspicion about others’ motives, believing that others might demean, deceive, or threaten them without sufficient basis. Symptoms of PPD may include being preoccupied with unjustified doubts about the trustworthiness of friends or associates, or being reluctant to confide…
Category: Psychiatry
Types of Cluster A Personality Disorders
Cluster A personality disorders consist of three main disorders: schizotypal, schizoid, and paranoid personality disorders. They are grouped together because they are all marked by distorted thinking or perceptions and significant social detachment. This cluster is one part of the three clusters (A, B, and C) categorized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental…
Schizotypal Personality Disorder (STPD) Symptoms and Causes
Schizotypal Personality Disorder (SPD), also known as schizotypal disorder, stands out within the schizophrenia spectrum disorders as characterized by peculiar patterns of thinking and behavior. Individuals diagnosed with SPD often exhibit odd or eccentric mannerisms that can significantly impact their daily functioning and interpersonal relationships. The disorder is specifically described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual…
The Difference Between Psychologist and Psychiatrist
Psychologists complete an extensive academic program, typically earning a doctoral degree in psychology (Ph.D. or Psy.D.), which includes research and clinical practice. Psychiatrists are medical doctors, meaning they have attended medical school and obtained an M.D. or D.O., and their training strongly focuses on psychiatry as a major component of medicine. Psychiatrists’ training qualifies them…
Monoamine Hypothesis of Depression
Scientific studies have shown that different brain areas exhibit altered activity in humans suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD), which has encouraged supporters of various theories that try to find a biochemical origin for the disease, as opposed to theories that emphasize psychological or situational causes. One of these theories is the monoamine hypothesis, which…
Bullied Teenagers’ Brains Show Chemical Changes Linked To Psychosis
Teens who are bullied by their peers are more likely to experience early psychotic episodes, which is linked to decreased levels of a critical neurotransmitter in the area of the brain responsible for controlling emotions, according to new research. This research implies that a particular neurotransmitter might be a good candidate for pharmaceutical treatments meant…
Early Onset Psychosis Linked With Reduced Brain Gray Matter
A new study from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience has discovered a link between a decrease in gray matter in the brain and early onset psychosis (EOP). The research, the largest brain imaging study ever conducted in EOP, offers unparalleled amounts of data regarding the illness. It demonstrates that, in comparison to other…
Smaller Cerebellums Observed in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
According to new research from a Duke-led brain imaging study, adults with PTSD have smaller cerebellums. The cerebellum, a region of the brain known for dealing with movement and balance, can influence mood and memory, both of which are affected by posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). What is unknown is whether a smaller cerebellum predisposes a…
Somatostatin Neurons Growth Hormone Activity Helps Regulate Anxiety
Growth hormone (GH) operates on various tissues throughout the body, including the bones and muscles. It is also an effective anxiolytic. Researchers from the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil recently conducted a study that deepened our understanding of the role of growth hormone in reducing anxiety and, for the first time, identified the…