What is the most likely diagnosis for a man who presents with auditory hallucinations and social withdrawal?

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The symptoms of auditory hallucinations and social withdrawal strongly suggest a primary psychotic disorder, with paranoid schizophrenia being a prominent consideration. This condition is characterized by the presence of delusions, hallucinations, and social dysfunction. Auditory hallucinations, which involve hearing voices or sounds that others do not perceive, are a hallmark feature of schizophrenia and can significantly contribute to social withdrawal due to the distress and fear they may induce.

While cannabis-induced psychosis can also present with similar symptoms, it typically requires a history of recent heavy cannabis use rather than standalone symptoms. Moreover, auditory hallucinations without a clear substance-induced context strongly point towards paranoid schizophrenia, given its more persistent nature and potential for long-term impact on an individual's social functioning.

Additionally, alcoholic hallucinosis is linked to withdrawal from alcohol rather than being initiated spontaneously in a social context. Borderline personality disorder primarily involves interpersonal instability, emotional dysregulation, and identity disturbance, rather than classic psychotic features like hallucinations.

Thus, the combination of auditory hallucinations and social withdrawal aligns more closely with the diagnostic criteria for paranoid schizophrenia, underscoring the severity and complexity of the disorder in the given clinical presentation.

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