Paranoid is a state that is characterized by a chronic
sense of anxiety and mistrust. Depending on the form and manner in which the
symptoms are expressed, it may be a symptom of several distinct, diagnosable
mental illnesses.
Some forms of Paranoid affect only one specific aspect
of a person's life. Others are widespread and may interfere with
decision-making and relations.
Learn about the causes of Paranoid, and how to help
people who are paranoid
What
Is Paranoid?
Often the term paranoid is misused. We casually describe
someone as paranoid if he expresses suspicion or feels more frequently
exploited, mistreated or oppressed than others. In most cases, these reactions
indicate low self-esteem, pessimism, or perhaps a skewed outlook shaped by
negative experiences.
True Paranoid is an extreme, specific, and unmistakable
symptom of several serious disorders. The following is an outline of each of
them, with a detailed explanation of the symptoms.
Paranoid
Schizophrenia
A disconnection from reality marks this mental illness. Paranoid schizophrenia is a
neurologically-based disorder in which a person's perceptions do not match the
facts of his environment. The paranoid subtype is characterized by specific
ideations, hallucinations, and highly unrealistic beliefs.
Symptoms
include:
Delusions
of persecution - The person may believe bizarre scenarios in which others
are "out to get him or her."
Hallucinations
- Paranoid schizophrenics hear voices regularly. The hallucination
material is typically negative, or instructs the person to take certain acts
that would harm himself or others.
Delusional
Disorder
The delusional illness, like paranoid schizophrenia, is
characterized by irrational beliefs based on a coherent theme. There are two
subtypes which reflect paranoid tendencies.
Jealous
Type - The jealous type exhibits delusions, which include a
partner or spouse's perceived unfaithfulness.
Persecutory
Type - The type of prosecution involves illusions based on the
belief that some group or faction intentionally pursues a person to cause
specific harm.
Paranoid
Personality Disorder
However, in the case of personality disorder,
paradoxical beliefs about other people's intentions persist, even when
hallucinations are not present. Individuals with paranoid personality disorder
also show symptoms early, often early in childhood, whereas schizophrenia and illusion disorder does not develop until the adult reaches the age of 20.
Schizophrenia: Helping your loved Who Is Paranoid
Here are ways to help the person who is paranoid:
●
Don't argue. Ask the person's
fears, and talk to the person about the Paranoid if he wants to hear from you.
If someone is threatening you, you should call for help.
●
Give the individual enough personal
space to stop him or her from feeling trapped or surrounded. Stay with the person
but at a safe distance for him or her, and you. Stay farther away than the
reach of an arm.
●
Call for help if you think anyone
is in danger.
●
Move the person away, if possible,
from the cause of fear or noise and activity. Ask a person to tell you what is
triggering your fear. Just make a clear statement that you're not afraid.
Taking
Care of Yourself
Caring for a partner who is paranoid can take a toll.
Providing for its needs requires you to keep meeting your own needs. Do not get
overwhelmed by taking those precautions.
Educate
yourself - Get to know everything you can about his kind of Paranoid.
Try to understand the symptoms that you are seeing and the treatment that he is
undergoing. Ask his doctor for more information and clarity.
