PARANOIA Fear of what others may be thinking of us is common, but exaggerated fears are more common than previously

thought. Paranoia defined as unfounded mistrust an exaggerated distrust of others that is not based on reality involves psychosis and schizophrenia. As a psychotic feature of bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder or schizophrenia, paranoia may manifest as delusions of persecution. The word paranoia comes from the Greek "" (paranoia), "madness" and that from "" (para), "beside, by" + "" (noos), "mind". The term was used to describe a mental illness in which a delusional belief is the sole or most prominent feature. In the disease the cause of delusion is internal and no hallucination is involved. (Kraeplin 1) Paranoia is a psychosis marked by delusion and irrational suspicion usually without hallucinations. Its essential feature is a permanent and unshakable delusional system. The signs of paranoia include delusions of persecution or grandiosity, unwarranted suspicion, excessive hostility, the blaming of others, and belief that one is the center of attention. The true incidence of paranoia is unknown, because many persons with paranoid disorders function well enough in society so as not to come to the attention of psychiatrists. (Collingwood 287) Paranoia is a chronic form of mental disease with an insidious onset; it is characterized by delusions, which are closely related, unchangeable and bound up together into a system which distinguishes this psychosis from other mental diseases in which delusions are multiple , variable and unsystematised. Delusions may be of grandeur and power of persecution or jealousy. When delusions of persecution are present, there is considerable danger of violence as the patient may attack his supposed persecutors or attempt suicide to escape from them. (Grolier 417) Paranoia is a term in common, that everyday language is used to mean everything from feeling nervous about a person or situation to being convinced that somebody is "out to get you." It is a word that is frequently used in todays society to describe someone who is mistrustful in the way they view the world. Although it is now quite a common word, it has only become popular in the last two decades. In his song "Almost Cut My Hair," David Crosby expressed this common usage well when he said, "It increases my paranoia, like looking in my mirror and seeing a police car." I'll wager almost everyone feels uneasy (and watches speed, signals and everything else) when police officers are right behind them. People may call that type of experience paranoia, but medically, the definition of paranoia is more precise. Psychiatrists use the term paranoia to describe a disordered way of thinking or an anxious state that attains the level of a delusion. For example, a person who believes the FBI is tracking her every move through the fillings in her teeth is exhibiting paranoid behavior. On the other hand, a criminal who believes the FBI is listening in on his telephone calls is not likely paranoid, because it may well be true. Paranoia is a very humane feeling and nearly everyone has experienced it at some or another point of time, to varying degrees. (Colenso 1) Paranoia involves feelings of persecution and an exaggerated sense of self-importance. It is characterized by delusions that others have hidden motives or a wish to harm you, feelings of mistrust and hostility, a sense of being persecuted and social isolation and withdrawal. An individual suffering from paranoia feels suspicious, and has a sense that other people want to do him harm. As a result, the paranoid individual changes his actions in response to a world that is perceived as personally threatening. Objective observers may be quite clear on the fact that no ones words or actions are actually threatening the paranoid individual. The hallmark of paranoia is a feeling of intense distrust and suspiciousness that is not in response to input from anybody or

anything in the paranoid individuals environment. It occurs in many mental disorders and is rare as an isolated mental illness. (Kiume 1) The main symptom of is permanent delusion. Note that there is delusion in schizophrenia also but is not permanent or organized. In paranoia the symptoms of delusion appear gradually, and the patient is sentimental, suspicious, irritable, introverted, depressed, obstinate, jealous, selfish, unsocial and bitter. Here the person does not acknowledge his own failures or faults, and by sometimes accepting certain qualities as belonging to himself, even when imaginary, he develops paranoia. Other symptoms may include self-referential thinking, thought broadcasting, magical thinking, thought withdrawal, thought insertion and ideas of reference. Also if you experience paranoia along with hearing voices or seeing things that are not real (hallucinations), and if you are unable to care for your basic needs, or if you have thoughts of harming yourself or others. Paranoia may accompany other symptoms, which vary depending on the underlying disease, disorder or condition. (Tasman 58) Researchers do not understand fully what chemical or physical changes in the brain cause paranoia. Paranoia is a prominent symptom that occurs in a variety of different mental disorders, as well as a symptom of certain physical diseases. Furthermore, use of certain drugs or chemicals may cause symptoms of paranoia in an otherwise normal individual. Paranoia can also be caused by a variety of events or other conditions like drug abuse, head injury or infection, heredity, social repression, stress and a traumatic life event. 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. (DeWitt 1) Paranoia can also occur as a symptom of other neurological diseases. Individuals suffering from the aftereffects of strokes, brain injuries, various types of dementia (including Alzheimer's disease ), Huntington's disease, and Parkinson's disease may manifest paranoia as part of their symptom complex. The paranoia may decrease in intensity when the underlying disease is effectively treated, although since many of these diseases are progressive, the paranoia may worsen over time along with the progression of the disease's other symptoms. And also A number of different medications and drugs can cause paranoia. These include corticosteroid medications, H-2 blockers (cimetidine, ranitidine, famotidine), some muscle relaxants (Baclofen), antiviral/anti-Parkinson drugs ( amantadine ), some amphetamines (including methylphenidate, or Ritalin), anti-HIV medications, antidepressants (Nardil). Abused drugs that can prompt paranoia include alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, ecstasy (MDMA), amphetamines (including Ritalin), LSD, and PCP (angel dust). Withdrawal from addictive drugs may also cause symptoms of paranoia. (Colenso 2) It can be quite challenging to get an individual who is suffering from paranoia to accept treatment. Their paranoid condition makes them distrustful of people's motivations towards them, so that even a medical doctor appears to be a suspicious party. Medications that may be offered are usually looked at with great distrust, and efforts at psychotherapy are considered "mind control" by a profoundly paranoid individual. The first step to be taken when someone is suffering from paranoia is that of determining whether an easily reversible situation (such as an adverse reaction to a medication) might be causing the paranoia. If so, discontinuing the drug (either immediately or by gradually weaning the dose) might end the symptoms of paranoia. Patients who have other diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia, Huntington's disease, or Parkinson's disease may notice that their paranoid symptoms improve

when their general medical condition is treated. The circumstance that can occur as their underlying disease progresses is that the paranoia may return or worsen over time. (Kiume 2) It is difficult to predict the prognosis of an individual who has paranoia. If there is an underlying mental illness, such as schizophrenia or paranoid personality disorder, then the paranoia is likely to be a lifelong condition. It may improve with some treatments (remission), only to become exacerbated under other more stressful conditions, or with changes in medication. Individuals who have symptoms of paranoia as part of another medical condition may also have a waxing-and-waning-course. When paranoia is caused by the use of a particular drug or medication, it is possible that discontinuing that substance may completely reverse the symptoms of paranoia. (Dewitt 2)