Metacognition and paraonoid personality disorder

Abstract

A new psychopathological model, related to diagnosis, cognitive profile and treatment of Paranoid Personality Disorder is considered in this article. The specific interpersonal cycles, the schemes of relationship, the problematic mental states and the metacognitive profile are identified. Deficits in decentration and differentiation, as well as problematic mental states related to specific emotions and themes of thinking, characterize the Paranoid Personality Disorder. Metacognitive deficits deteriorate the mental states that have circular influences on thees metacognitive functions. The therapeutic relationship can be a way to treat and to overcome this situation. Such a model allows to understand and to prevent symptomatological expressions of this type of patients, as well as to develop specific strategies of intervention.