What is Paranoia?
A state of mind where a person believes that others may be trying to harm them. It may be a feeling that someone is watching them, listening to them, or following them. It is a thought process that is influenced by anxiety or fear that may lead to delusion and irrational thinking or behaviour. It generally includes a belief of persecution or conspiracy.
Signs and Symptoms of Paranoia
Mild thoughts of paranoia are common in the general population but generally recover naturally. Long term paranoia may indicate a symptom of a mental disorder, substance abuse, dementia or other medical conditions. Symptoms include a feeling of distrust or suspicion of others or more complex signs such as conspiracy theories that may involve higher entities, such as government. Paranoia may stem from an increased sense of self importance, that makes other people take notice of them. Paranoia does not necessarily come from a mental disorder.
Causes of Paranoia
- Personality Disorder- a pattern of problematic thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Paranoid Personality Disorder may cause a person to have long term thoughts that others are out to harm, take advantage or deceive them. This disorder will generally improve with age and recovery is possible by age 40-50.
- Delusional Disorder- a false belief that occurs without other symptoms of mental illness. Paranoid delusions are most common, leading to beliefs of harm or conspiracy.
- Paranoid Schizophrenia- causes people to experience difficulty in interpreting reality. They may experience hallucinations, including hearing voices and delusions that are false beliefs. A person with Paranoid Schizophrenia may believe that their thoughts are being broadcast over television or radio, or that they are receiving transmissions from devices that are directed at them or from higher beings.
- Mood disorders- including Psychotic Disorders and Bipolar Disorder.
- Severe trauma and stress- paranoia may result from abuse in childhood, domestic violence, torture, racism, or other forms of severe abuse.
- Neurological disease- Dementia, Alzheimers, Brain Injury, and Parkinson’s Disease may cause thoughts of paranoia.
- Substance or Drug Abuse- Drugs such as Amphetamines, includes ICE, Cannabis, Cocaine, Ecstasy or Alcohol may cause paranoia when a person is withdrawing from using these substances, or during a period of intoxication or abuse.
If you or someone you know is experiencing paranoid thoughts that lead to distress, it is important to seek professional help. This may be from a GP to begin with, or a counsellor, psychologist or psychiatrist.
A doctor may perform tests in order to assess the person’s level of paranoia and rule out any other medical conditions. A mental health assessment will likely be performed, including a full medical and family history, any medications or other drugs that are currently or previously used, and any other known conditions that may be a factor in the paranoia. It is difficult to diagnose as the person may believe that the doctor is conspiring or they may have a fear of hospitals, treatments and doctors.
It is necessary to try to determine the underlying cause of paranoia in order to find the correct therapy and possibly medication. A person with paranoid thoughts may have difficulty trusting a doctor or mental health professional and may resist treatment.
Treatments may include Antipsychotic medication, Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and group therapy.
When attempting to help a person with paranoia it is important to avoid telling them that they are imagining it, out of touch, or other references such as crazy. The thoughts are very real to the person and they need understanding and support.
Encourage the person to seek help for their thoughts by seeing a professional.