Paranoia involves a hypersensitive response to a delusion, where patients place themselves in complex scenarios that reinforce the delusion and may believe that people around them are out to get them. Symptoms can be difficult to recognize, and treatment may include talk therapy and medication.
Symptoms of paranoia involve a hypersensitive response to a delusion, which is a belief in something that isn’t true. Patients suffering from paranoia tend to place themselves in the center of complex scenarios that reinforce the delusion and may believe that the people around them are out to get them. It can be difficult for a patient to recognize symptoms and seek treatment, as the patient may think that health care providers intend to harm them. Friends and family members who notice signs of paranoia should discuss this with a mental health professional for advice on what to do, as going directly to the patient could be counterproductive.
Paranoia can occur on its own or as part of a mental health condition. The patient develops a delusion, such as a belief that a famous celebrity wants to marry him, or a suspicion that a colleague wants to kill him. He becomes increasingly defensive about the delusion and may become aggressive. When friends and family laugh at the delusion or try to minimize it, the patient can become very agitated and upset.
One of the key symptoms of paranoia is the tendency to exaggerate situations and believe that everything relates back to the original delusion. For example, a paranoid patient who thinks her colleagues are plotting against her would see two colleagues chatting in the hallway and think they are talking about her. Likewise, any type of company communication would be scrutinized to see if it contains any hidden messages. Since no one will be present, the employee may become agitated and will develop fear and anxiety, convinced that a harmless change such as a letterhead redesign is sinister in nature.
Signs of paranoia also include constant questions about other people’s motives. These can become irritating and people may start to become aggressive which leads the patient to believe that her suspicions are correct. When people cannot answer questions because they are not hiding anything and there is no more information to discuss, the patient uses it as evidence to support the delusion. When the patient encounters resistance to delirium, the symptoms of paranoia may worsen.
People who recognize the symptoms of paranoia in themselves can meet with a mental health professional to discuss the situation and talk about treatment options. These can include talk therapy and medications to correct imbalances in brain chemistry. Other patients may reject the idea that they have a mental health condition and may need careful intervention. This can include hospitalization for patients with very severe symptoms of paranoia.
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