Paranoid personality disorder

This code represents a pervasive distrust and suspiciousness of others, interpreting their motives as malevolent. Individuals with this disorder often believe others are exploiting, harming, or deceiving them, even without sufficient evidence. These beliefs are typically not delusional in intensity but are persistent and significantly impact social and occupational functioning.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of paranoid personality disorder, characterized by a persistent pattern of distrust and suspicion of others. This diagnosis should be made by a qualified mental health professional based on established diagnostic criteria. Supporting documentation would include a detailed psychiatric evaluation outlining the patient's symptoms and their impact on daily life.

• Differentiate from psychotic disorders where paranoia is delusional; refer to the Excludes2 notes for specific conditions.
• Ensure the documentation specifies "personality disorder" to avoid confusion with other paranoid states or symptoms.
• This code should be sequenced as a primary diagnosis when it is the reason for the encounter, or as a secondary diagnosis when it co-occurs with other conditions.