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Sep 21, 2023 · Paranoia is the feeling that you’re being threatened in some way, such as people watching you or acting against you, even though there’s no proof that it’s true. It can be a sign of a mental health condition called clinical paranoia, which is more severe and requires treatment. Learn about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of paranoia from WebMD.
Paranoia is a way of thinking that involves feelings of distrust and suspicion about others without a good reason. It can be a sign of psychosis or certain mental health conditions. Learn about the types, signs and possible causes of paranoia and how to treat it.
- Overview
- Symptoms of paranoia
- What causes paranoia?
- How is paranoia diagnosed?
- How is paranoia treated?
- What is the outlook for people with paranoia?
Paranoia can cause you to feel mistrustful of others or persecuted without a threat. Treatment can depend on the cause but may include psychotherapy and medication.
Paranoia is a thought process that causes you to have an irrational suspicion or mistrust of others. People with paranoia may feel like they’re being persecuted or that someone is out to get them. They may feel the threat of physical harm even if they aren’t in danger.
Everyone experiences paranoid thoughts at some point in their life, but paranoia is the constant experience of symptoms and unfounded feelings of paranoia. The symptoms of paranoia vary in severity and can interfere with all areas of life. Symptoms include:
•constant stress or anxiety related to beliefs they have about others
•mistrust of others
•feeling disbelieved or misunderstood
•feeling victimized or persecuted when there isn’t a threat
•isolation
Paranoid behavior usually occurs due to personality disorders or other mental illnesses such as schizophrenia.
It’s not fully understood why some people develop personality disorders or mental illness. It may be a combination of factors, including:
•genetics
•stress
•brain chemistry
Drug use can also cause paranoia. The use of methamphetamines can cause paranoid behavior and delusions. Other drugs that can lead to paranoid thought processes include PCP and LSD.
Your doctor will perform a medical exam and take a complete medical history to help them rule out a physical or medical reason for your symptoms, such as dementia.
If your paranoia is part of a psychiatric issue, your doctor will refer you to a psychiatrist or a psychologist who will perform an evaluation and psychological tests to help them determine your mental status.
Other conditions that can occur in people with paranoia are:
•bipolar disorder
•anxiety
•depression
Treatment depends on the cause and severity of symptoms and may include medication and psychotherapy. Psychotherapy aims to help people with paranoia:
•accept their vulnerability
•increase their self-esteem
•develop trust in others
•learn to express and handle emotions in a positive manner
Treatment for paranoid personality disorder usually involves psychotherapy to help you develop coping skills to improve socialization and communication. Sometimes, doctors prescribe anti-anxiety medication to treat paranoid personality disorder for people who are often anxious or fearful. Atypical antipsychotic medications may also help.
For people who seek treatment and follow through with it, the outlook for paranoia is usually positive. However, treatment may be a slow process. Therapy and medication are effective in treating it. People with paranoia are usually distrustful of others and perceive paranoid thoughts as real. This makes the process of seeking treatment difficult.
If someone you know is showing symptoms of paranoia, they may not think they need medical attention. However, you should encourage them to see a doctor for a diagnosis.
Paranoia is an instinct or thought process that is believed to be heavily influenced by anxiety, suspicion, or fear, often to the point of delusion and irrationality. [1] . Paranoid thinking typically includes persecutory beliefs, or beliefs of conspiracy concerning a perceived threat towards oneself (i.e., "Everyone is out to get me" ).
- Paranoid (adjective)
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Apr 28, 2022 · Paranoia is a pattern of thinking that involves intense, irrational distrust and suspicion. It can range from mild feelings of discomfort, nervousness, or unease about a situation or person to intense, distressing thoughts that could put your mental well-being at risk.
- Marcia Purse
Jul 23, 2021 · Paranoia is a thought process that involves irrational and persistent mistrust of others. It can be a symptom of a mental health condition, such as paranoid personality disorder, delusional disorder, or schizophrenia. Learn about the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatments, and complications of paranoia.
Paranoia involves intense anxious or fearful feelings and thoughts often related to persecution, threat, or conspiracy. Paranoia can occur with many mental health conditions but is most often present in psychotic disorders. Paranoid thoughts can become delusions when irrational thoughts and beliefs become so fixed that nothing can convince a ...
