Fascinating discussion. Thank you all. May I offer another candidate for your consideration: James V. Forrestal, former Secretary of the Navy under FDR and Secretary of Defense under Truman. He was born 2/15/1892 in what is now Beacon, New York. Astrotheme gives the time as 14:30 hrs. Ruler of his Virgo 3rd House is Mercury; His chart angles are strongly aspected by Venus, Saturn and Moon to the MC/IC; and by a tight Jupiter trine to the Sun. In respect to this last aspect, he was raised a strict Roman Catholic. I am also struck by the very tight conjunction of Pluto and Neptune in the Aquarian 11th House, both in a loose separating opposition to Mars in Sagittarius.
Forrestal was treated for mental disorders and was ultimately admitted to the Bethesda Naval Hospital, where he committed suicide on 3/28/1948 by jumping from his hospital window. The official diagnosis was "depression", but rumors of paranoia circulated and still persist. He had been targeted by prominent media figures like Drew Pearson and Jack Anderson. He was being investigated (for security reasons) by the FBI and others prior to his resignation as Sec. Def. His suicide has also been linked by some to UFO phenomenon. Perhaps that speaks more to those making the links than to Forrestal.
Finally, I offer the following material from the DSM V regarding the clinical definition of Paranoid Personality Disorder, for use in validating Noel's material quoted by James in the initial post in this thread.
Introduction
PPD (Paranoid Personality Disorder) is a DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition), diagnosis assigned to individuals who have a pervasive, persistent, and enduring mistrust of others, and a profoundly cynical view of others and the world (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Paranoid Personality Disorder is referred to as a Cluster A personality disorder, which involve “ odd or eccentric “ behavior patterns (Esterberg, Goulding, & Walker, 2010). Persons with PPD are hypervigilant to physical, verbal or social attacks, and do not trust others, and therefore tend to have few if any close or intimate associates. They tend to be aloof, cold, distant, argumentative, and frequently complain. They may appear guarded and secretive, very rational, logical, and unemotional, but at times will be sarcastic, hostile, and rigid. Generally they have a difficult time getting along with others People with Paranoid Personality Disorder tend to do poorly with group activities and collaborative projects. They will be highly critical of others, but will respond to criticism of themselves with hostility or defensiveness. Paranoid Personality Disorder is a non-psychotic disorder, in that it is a discrete diagnosis involving one's dysfunctional and maladaptive personality characteristics, rather then a thought or mood disorder. Persons with Paranoid Personality Disorder may develop brief psychotic reactions under stress, but by definition, a brief psychotic episode is discrete and does not endure. Paranoid Personality Disorder is not amenable to antipsychotic medications as there are not typically gross deficits in reality testing, and the paranoid thought content and beliefs are typically-non bizarre. PPD is also not regarded as a result of trauma, as the perception of being unsafe in the world which is typical of persons with PTSD (Post -traumatic Stress Disorder) is of a different quality and etiology.
Symptoms of Paranoid Personality Disorder
According to the DSM-5, there are two primary diagnostic criterion for Paranoid Personality Disorder of which criterion A has seven sub features, four of which must be present to warrant a diagnosis of PPD:
Criterion A is: Global mistrust and suspicion of others motives which commences in adulthood. The seven sub features of criterion A are:
1.The person with PPD will believe others are using, lying to, or harming them, without apparent evidence thereof.
2.They will have doubts about the loyalty and trustworthiness of others,
3.,They will not confide in others due to the belief that their confidence will be betrayed.
4.They will interpret ambiguous or benign remarks as hurtful or threatening, and
5. Hold grudges,
6. In the absence of objective evidence, believe their reputation or character are being assailed by others, and will retaliate in some manner and
7. Will be jealous and suspicious without cause that intimate partners are being unfaithful.
Criterion B is that the above symptoms will not be during a psychotic episode in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or depressive disorder with psychotic features,
A qualifier is that if the diagnostic criteria for PPD is met prior to the onset of Schizophrenia, it should be noted Paranoid Personality Disorder was premorbid (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).
Onset
The DSM-5 notes that Paranoid Personality Disorder features may be apparent in childhood and adolescence. Children may act strangely, resulting in teasing (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). This is an interesting note, in that it raises questions of premorbid causality. A child who exhibits abnormal behaviors and who is rejected by peers, may learn not to trust, and may become suspicious of others motives. This could be a contributing factor in the development of paranoid personality.
Prevalence
According to the DSM-5, the prevalence of Paranoid Personality Disorder is 2.3 % to 4.4 % of the US population, and is more frequently diagnosed in males. (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).
Risk Factors
The DSM-5 indicates that a family history of Schizophrenia, or persecutory type delusional disorder are risk factors for Paranoid Personality Disorder (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).
