Paranoid personality disorder features which of the following?

• A. A pervasive pattern of unwarranted suspiciousness and distrust of others, hypersensitivity, and restricted affect
• B. A pervasive pattern of excessive vanity and need for admiration
• C. A mood disorder characterized by emotional instability
• D. A neurodevelopmental disorder defined by social communication deficits

Answer: (A)

Paranoid personality disorder involves a pervasive pattern of distrust and suspicion toward others, with motives often interpreted as malevolent. People are hypersensitive to criticism, guarded with their thoughts and emotions (restricted affect), and quick to feel harmed or betrayed, which fits the description of unwarranted suspicion, distrust, hypersensitivity, and limited emotional expression. The other patterns point to different disorders—grandiosity and need for admiration suggest narcissistic traits, emotional instability aligns with borderline features, and social-communication deficits align with autism spectrum disorders—none of which capture the paranoid pattern.