Movies about paranoid personality disorder - Mental Health Related Films

Human lives and behaviour are far more nuanced and emotive than any psychiatric diagnostic system or symptom checklist can ever portray.

Most people recognise aspects of themselves in at least a few psychiatric diagnostic categories. The difference between normal and disorder is not straightforward and often has more to do with degree rather than kind, i.e. does it cause big problems?

While movies are not perfect depictions of reality, they often present themes in relatable, enriching, usefully challenging, and thought-provoking ways.

We invite you to explore mental health through movies that raise awareness, open dialogue, present complexity, entertain, and/or normalise experiences.

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What is Paranoid personality disorder?

paranoid personality disorder is a psychiatric diagnosis (see abridged criteria below) characterised by an extensive pattern of distrust and suspicion of others.

We all experience a degree of paranoia in certain situations. But a person with a paranoid personality disorder takes it to an extreme that affects his work, social, and personal life.

No matter how many times other people tell him that his suspicion is groundless, he repeatedly questions the trustworthiness and motives of others. Rigidity is what makes this a personality disorder. It is not a transient state, the person regularly believes that others are up to something or want to harm him.

In psychiatry, Paranoid personality disorder is defined in the DSM-V (diagnostic manual) according to the following criteria (abridged here)...

DSM-V Diagnostic Criteria of paranoid personality disorder 301.0 (F60.0)

A. A pervasive distrust and suspiciousness of others such that their motives are interpreted as malevolent, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by four (or more) of the following:

1. Suspects, without sufficient basis, that others are exploiting, harming, or deceiving him or her.

2. Is preoccupied with unjustified doubts about the loyalty or trustworthiness of friends or associates.

3. Is reluctant to confide in others because of unwarranted fear that the information will be used maliciously against him or her.

4. Reads hidden demeaning or threatening meanings into benign remarks or events.

5. Persistently bears grudges (i.e., is unforgiving of insults, injuries, or slights).

6. Perceives attacks on his or her character or reputation that are not apparent to others and is quick to react angrily or to counterattack.

7. Has recurrent suspicions, without justification, regarding fidelity of spouse or sexual partner.

Movies about Paranoid personality disorder

If we missed an essential film about paranoid personality disorder, please let us know. We would love to include it.

Note: Movies may trigger painful memories and emotions. Please use your judgement and ensure support is available if need be.

Movie Title: Conspiracy Theory - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1997

Rated: 6.7

Cast: Mel Gibson, Julia Roberts, Patrick Stewart

Storyline: A taxi driver in New York has a paranoid personality disorder. He is an expert on paranoid conspiracy theories and later realises there is an actual conspiracy.

Movie Title: Vadakkunokkiyantram - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1989

Rated: 8.3

Cast: Sreenivasan, Parvathi, Innocent

Storyline: A man is married to a beautiful woman. Burdened with insecurities about his personal appearance, he develops paranoid personality disorder.

Movie Title: Pawn Sacrifice - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2015

Rated: 7.0

Cast: Tobey Maguire, Peter Sarsgaard, Liev Schreiber

Storyline: Set during the Cold War, an American chess legend with paranoid personality disorder begins his quest to become the World Chess Champion.

References and Links

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596

More on Paranoid personality disorder: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9784-paranoid-personality-disorder

Differences between Paranoid personality Disorder and Paranoid Schizophrenia: https://www.news-medical.net/health/Differences-between-Paranoid-Personality-Disorder-and-Paranoid-Schizophrenia.aspx

Paranoid personality disorder test & self-assessment: https://www.psycom.net/paranoid-personality-disorder/

Paranoid personality disorder according to Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paranoid_personality_disorder

Acknowledgements

The above article was written under my close direction and supervision. However, much credit goes to Charlene Poliquit (my right-hand man) and Andri Eigenberger (my beloved aunt) for their huge efforts in bringing this task to life.

Vincenzo Sinisi

Image by Jackie Ramirez from Pixabay