Assignment

CASE EXAMPLE - CASE OF LEON

Paranoid Personality Disorder (PPD)[301.0 (F60.0)]Paranoid personality disorder (PPD) is characterized by a pattern of distrust and suspicious-ness of others, whose motives and intentions are perceived as malicious. These perceptions begin in early adulthood and are present in a number of situations. Those with PPD assume the ill intent of others and believe that others might exploit, harm, or deceive them. At times, they may believe others have seriously injured them when there is no evidence that an injury has taken place (APA, 2013).

Leon has gotten up late this morning and suspects that someone who was meaning him harm interfered with his alarm clock so that he would be late for work (CriterionA1). He thinks it is Morgan at work, who he believes wants to make him look bad before his boss so that he will be fired (A6). When he arrives an hour late at work, he is greeted by the receptionist, Mary, who says, “Good morning, Leon”(A4). She was trying to be friendly, but Leon thinks she is trying to get him in trouble with the boss by making a scene so the boss will know he is late. Morgan, who believes she is a good friend of Leon, greets him. He ignores Morgan and goes to his workstation. He is thinking of how disloyal Morgan has been (A2). Leon notices his boss, Jacob, and Morgan were whispering about something. He believes they are discussing his tardiness this morning and plotting to write him up(A1andA2). He cannot contain himself any longer and confronts his boss about his conversation with Morgan. The boss tells him they were planning a surprise for a coworker who was celebrating her 50th birthday. Leon does not believe his boss. This incident adds to his grudge against Morgan, whom he cannot forgive for meddling with his alarm clock (A5). In reviewing this case, Leon meets five of the diagnostic criteria (A1, A2, A4, A5, and A6) for a diagnosis of PPD. People with PPD commonly blame others for their own failures. Cultural considerations in diagnosing this disorder may have to do with immigrant groups who do not understand the dominant culture, may experience language barriers, or may not understand rules and regulations of the new country. Several ethnic groups may also display behaviors that might be incorrectly mis-interpreted as paranoia (APA, 2013). Persons with PPD can be very difficult to treat in psychotherapy because of their chronic suspiciousness and perception of attacks on their character (Dobbert, 2007).