Coping With Paranoid in a Loved One

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.

Get support - Consider treatment to help you accept his diagnosis and learn how to cope. Ask for encouragement or support from family and friends. Find a support group for Paranoid people families.