Lesson in Abnormal Psychology, Introduction to Psychology and General Psychology

1. Paranoia
Prepared by:
Orlando A. Pistan, MAEd-GC
Psychology Instructor

2. Nature of Paranoia
Paranoia is an intense, anxious, and
fearful feelings and thoughts often
related to persecution, threat, or
conspiracy.
This psychological case shows
delusions and impaired contact with
reality but without the severe
personality disorganization
characteristics of schizophrenia.
In some cases, paranoid people are
potentially dangerous.

3. Clinical Picture of Paranoia
 Feelings of being singled out;
 Feelings of taken advantage of;
 Feelings of maltreatment;
 Feelings of being plotted
against;
 Feelings of being stolen;
 Feelings of being spied upon;
 Feelings of being persecuted;
 Feelings of being
predominated;
 Delusion of Grandeur or
superiority over any other.

4. Types of Paranoid Disorder
1. Persecutory type
2. Jealous type
3. Erotomanic type
4. Somatic type
5. Grandiose type
6. Mixed type

5. Persecutory Type
Delusion that one is being
subjected to malevolent
treatment, such as spying,
stalking, or the spreading
of false rumors and
immoral behaviors.

6. Jealous Type
The predominant theme
of this type of paranoia is
that one’s romantic or
sexual partner is being
unfaithful.

7. Erotomanic Type
A belief that a person is in
love with the affected
individual, despite
contrary
evidence. Erotomania is
an uncommon form of
paranoia. The affected
person strongly believes
that another individual is
in love with him or her.

8. Somatic Type
This type is showing
unshakable belief in having
some physical illness, often
esoteric in nature.
Someone's somatic
delusions may even lead
them to harm themselves in
attempts to address their
perceived health problems,
such as trying to remove an
infestation or self-medicate
in inappropriate and
dangerous ways.

9. Grandiose Type
The nature of this type is
that one person is having
some sort of celebrity
status, power, ability,
talent, and beauty.

10. Mixed Type
A combination of several
types but there is no
single predominant
characteristic.

11. Paranoid Mode of Thinking
 Suspiciousness. The individual
mistrusts the motives of
others, fears he or she will be
taken advantage of, and is
constantly on the alert.
 Protective thinking.
Selectively perceives the
actions of others to confirm
suspicions, and blames others
for own failures.

12. Paranoid Mode of Thinking
 Hostility. Respond to alleged
injustices and mistreatment
with anger, and unpleasant
behaviors.
 Delusions. Influence that may
be based on some grain of
truth, presented in a very
logical and convincing way,
which oftenly develop to
delusion of grandeur.

13. Causal factors of Paranoia
Psychosocial factors are sufficient to account for the development of paranoid
form of thought.
1. Faulty development. Paranoid persons are seen aloof, seclusive, stubborn
and resentful of punishment since their childhood. Authoritarian
parenting style and excessive dominance, and suppression accounts for the
development of paranoia.
2. Inferiority. Their inability to get along with others, rigidity and unrealistic
goals are stemming from failures with social, occupational and romantic
life situations.
3. Defense. Paranoid persons frequently became target of actual
discrimination, mistreatment and betrayal.

14. Paranoia
Thank you for
paying attention.