paranoia (redirected from Paranoid states)

Paranoia 

Definition

Paranoia is an unfounded or exaggerated distrust of others, sometimes reaching delusional proportions. Paranoid individuals constantly suspect the motives of those around them, and believe that certain individuals, or people in general, are "out to get them."

Description

Paranoid perceptions and behavior may appear as features of a number of mental illnesses, including depression and dementia, but are most prominent in three types of psychological disorders: paranoid schizophrenia, delusional disorder (persecutory type), and paranoid personality disorder (PPD).

Individuals with paranoid schizophrenia and persecutory delusional disorder experience what is known as persecutory delusions: an irrational, yet unshakable, belief that someone is plotting against them. Persecutory delusions in paranoid schizophrenia are bizarre, sometimes grandiose, and often accompanied by auditory hallucinations. Delusions experienced by individuals with delusional disorder are more plausible than those experienced by paranoid schizophrenics; not bizarre, though still unjustified. Individuals with delusional disorder may seem offbeat or quirky rather than mentally ill, and, as such, may never seek treatment.

Persons with paranoid personality disorder tend to be self-centered, self-important, defensive, and emotionally distant. Their paranoia manifests itself in constant suspicions rather than full-blown delusions. The disorder often impedes social and personal relationships and career advancement. Some individuals with PPD are described as "litigious," as they are constantly initiating frivolous law suits. PPD is more common in men than in women, and typically begins in early adulthood.

Causes and symptoms

The exact cause of paranoia is unknown. Potential causal factors may be genetics, neurological abnormalities, changes in brain chemistry, and stress. Paranoia is also a possible side effect of drug use and abuse (for example, alcohol, marijuana, amphetamines, cocaine, PCP). Acute, or short term, paranoia may occur in some individuals overwhelmed by stress.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV), the diagnostic standard for mental health professionals in the United States, lists the following symptoms for paranoid personality disorder:

• suspicious; unfounded suspicions; believes others are plotting against him/her
• preoccupied with unsupported doubts about friends or associates
• reluctant to confide in others due to a fear that information may be used against him/her
• reads negative meanings into innocuous remarks
• bears grudges
• perceives attacks on his/her reputation that are not clear to others, and is quick to counterattack
• maintains unfounded suspicions regarding the fidelity of a spouse or significant other

Diagnosis

Patients with paranoid symptoms should undergo a thorough physical examination and patient history to rule out possible organic causes (such as dementia) or environmental causes (such as extreme stress). If a psychological cause is suspected, a psychologist will conduct an interview with the patient and may administer one of several clinical inventories, or tests, to evaluate mental status.

Treatment

Paranoia that is symptomatic of paranoid schizophrenia, delusional disorder, or paranoid personality disorder should be treated by a psychologist and/or psychiatrist. Antipsychotic medication such as thioridazine (Mellaril), haloperidol (Haldol), chlorpromazine (Thorazine), clozapine (Clozaril), or risperidone (Risperdal) may be prescribed, and cognitive therapy or psychotherapy may be employed to help the patient cope with their paranoia and/or persecutory delusions. Antipsychotic medication, however, is of uncertain benefit to individuals with paranoid personality disorder and may pose long-term risks.

If an underlying condition, such as depression or drug abuse, is found to be triggering the paranoia, an appropriate course of medication and/or psychosocial therapy is employed to treat the primary disorder.

Prognosis

Because of the inherent mistrust felt by paranoid individuals, they often must be coerced into entering treatment. As unwilling participants, their recovery may be hampered by efforts to sabotage treatment (for example, not taking medication or not being forthcoming with a therapist), a lack of insight into their condition, or the belief that the therapist is plotting against them. Albeit with restricted lifestyles, some patients with PPD or persecutory delusional disorder continue to function in society without treatment.

Key terms

Persecutory delusion — A fixed, false, and inflexible belief that others are engaging in a plot or plan to harm an individual.

Resources

Organizations

American Psychiatric Association. 1400 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20005. (888) 357-7924. http://www.psych.org.

American Psychological Association (APA). 750 First St. NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242. (202) 336-5700. http://www.apa.org.

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI). Colonial Place Three, 2107 Wilson Blvd., Ste. 300, Arlington, VA 22201-3042. (800) 950-6264. http://www.nami.org.

National Institute of Mental Health. Mental Health Public Inquiries, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 15C-05, Rockville, MD 20857. (888) 826-9438. http://www.nimh.nih.gov.

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paranoia /par·a·noia/ (par″ah-noi´ah)

1. behavior characterized by well-systematized delusions of grandeur or persecution or a combination.

2. former name for delusional disorder. paranoi´acpar´anoid

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par·a·noi·a (pr-noi)

n.

1. A psychotic disorder characterized by systematized delusions, especially of persecution or grandeur, in the absence of other personality disorders.

2. Extreme, irrational distrust of others.

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paranoia

[per′ənoi′ə]

Etymology: Gk, para + nous, mind

(in psychiatry) a condition characterized by an elaborate, overly suspicious system of thinking. It often includes delusions of persecution and grandeur usually centered on one major theme, such as a financial matter, a job situation, an unfaithful spouse, or another problem, such as being followed or monitored by the CIA, FBI, or outer space aliens; being the victim of computer tampering; or being poisoned. Also spelled paranoea [per′ənē′ə] . Compare paranoid schizophrenia. paranoiac, n.

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paranoia (per´noi´),

n 1. a psychosis characterized by delusions and hallucinations that are well systematized.
2. the irrational belief that one is the object of special persecution by others or by fate.

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paranoia

Psychiatry 1 An evolving or fixed persecutory delusional state; the term paranoia is not used in DSM-IV; paranoid delusions are an integral component of the paranoid personality disorder and paranoid subtype of schizophrenia 2 Paranoid personality disorder, see there 3 Delusional disorder, see there Vox populi An insidious pattern of unfounded thoughts and fears, often based on misinterpretation of actual events; Pts with paranoia may have highly developed delusions of persecution and/or of grandeur

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Patient discussion about Paranoid states.

Q. What is paranoia? Is it different from other psychosis disorders? A friend of mine was diagnosed with schizophrenia. I read about it on the internet and I am not sure about the idea of paranoia. Is it a kind of psychosis or it a different symptom by its on? Can someone give an example of paranoid thinking VS normal thinking?

A. Psychosis is a situation when one's thinking process is twisted. There are several ways to twist the thinking progress. You can think that you know all (delusion's of grandiosity) you can hear voices that aren't for real, or you can think some one is chasing you no matter where you go (this is paranoia).
To rap thing up - psychosis is twisted thinking
Paranoia a specific twist.

Q. Is paranoia a side effect of ADHD? My lovable daughter has ADHD and she is often getting paranoia easily. I have a doubt, is paranoia a side effect of ADHD? I am confused. I really need some help.

A. Paranoia, excessive anxiety, or chronic worrying is symptomatic for those afflicted with ADHD but the answer is not quite as simple as that.

For the most part males afflicted with attention deficit disorder syndrome usually tend to have it accompanied by the restlessness, impatience, associated with ADHD Attention Deficit HYPER Disorder, while for females it is usually manifested by ADD, Attention Deficit Disorder without the "H", the hyperactivity it is commonly thought to be.

You might want to refer to an ADD symptoms check list in determining whether or not your daughter meets the criteria for those afflicted
with ADD. One of the first books on ADD/ADHD "Driven to Distraction" by Dr. Hallowell, available in paperback has a questionnaire of fifty
questions in helping to determine the severity of ADD/ADHD in which one is afflicted with.

The difficulty in diagnosing ADD/ADHD symptoms is because of the vast, disparate wide-ranging spectrum of symptoms an