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Paranoia involves feelings of persecution and an exaggerated
sense of self-importance. Paranoia occurs in many mental disorders
and is rare as an isolated mental illness. Since the delusions
involve only one area, a person with paranoia can usually work and
function in everyday life, however, their lives may be limited and
isolated. There are different types of paranoia including conjugal
paranoia, erotomania, hypochondriacal paranoia, and different types
of paranoid disorders such as paranoid personality and paranoid
schizophrenia.
Symptoms of
Paranoia:
Symptoms of paranoia and paranoid disorders include intense and
irrational mistrust or suspicion, which can bring on sense of rage,
hatred, and betrayal. Some people suffering from paranoid
personality may have a high capacity to annoy or enrage others
because of rigid and maladaptive behavior. Some identifiable
beliefs and actions of paranoid-related disorders include mistrust,
taking offense easily, difficulty with forgiveness, defensive
attitude in response to imagined criticism, preoccupation with
hidden motives, fear of being deceived or taken advantage of,
inability to relax, argumentative, abrupt, stubborn,
self-righteous, and perfectionistic.
What Causes
Paranoia?
The cause of paranoia is a breakdown of various mental and
emotional functions involving reasoning and assigned meanings. The
reasons for these breakdowns are varied and uncertain. Some
symptoms of paranoia may arise from repressed, denied or projected
feelings. Paranoid thoughts and feelings can become part of a
delusional system through an accident, a misunderstanding or minor
injustice, heightened intimacy, or increased responsibility.
Treatment of Paranoia
Treatment of paranoia is usually via behavior therapy which is
aimed at reducing sensitivity to criticism and improving social
skills. It can be difficult to treat a person with paranoia as they
may be irritable, emotionally guarded, hostile, and unwilling;
therefore, progress is slow. Therapy attempts to break the cycle of
suspicion and isolation by using relaxation and anxiety management
and by aiding the person to change certain behaviors.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact your local Mental Health Association, community mental
health center,
or for additional resources, please call 1-800-969-NMHA.
National Mental
Health Association
2001 N. Beauregard Street, 12th Floor
Alexandria, VA 22311
Phone 703/684-7722
Fax 703/684-5968
Mental Health Resource Center 800/969-NMHA
TTY Line 800/433-5959
American Psychiatric Association
1400 K Street NW
Washington DC 20005
Phone 202-682-6000
National Institute of Mental Health
5600 Fishers Lane 7C-02
Rockville MD 20857
Phone 301-443-4513
Information compiled from:
“ Mental Health Letter-Paranoia and Paranoid
Disorders”, The Harvard Medical School Mental Health Letter,
74 Fenwood Rd, Boston MA 02115.
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