Do you ever find yourself feeling suspicious of people around you? Maybe you are worried that they might be plotting against you in some way? If so, it might not surprise you to learn that you are exhibiting the signs of paranoia psychosis.

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June 2, 2022
What is paranoia psychosis? The Mind-bending
psychology of fear
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What is paranoia psychosis? The Mind-bending psychology of fear
What is paranoia psychosis?
Do you ever find yourself feeling suspicious of people around you? Maybe you are worried
that they might be plotting against you in some way?
If so, it might not surprise you to learn that you are exhibiting the signs of paranoia
psychosis.
Before we explore this paranoia psychosis in more detail, let’s take a look at how it
differs from other types of social anxiety and suspicion, including misanthropy (a type
of distrust against mankind) and schizoid personality disorder.

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Then, we will examine the various causes of paranoia psychosis so that we can figure
out why it happens to some people and not others.
A history of how we think about paranoia psychosis
Before we discuss what paranoia psychosis actually is, it is important to go over a bit of
history.
Psychiatry has never had an easy time defining paranoia, largely because it can be defined
in so many different ways.
For example, you could say that anything that makes someone feel paranoid is a form of
paranoia, alternatively, you could say that only those who are actively experiencing
symptoms like delusions and hallucinations (more on those later) are showing signs of
true paranoia.
What is paranoia psychosis? The Mind-bending psychology of fear
In short, there is no official definition of paranoia psychosis and even if there were, it
would be almost impossible to agree upon.
That said, most experts agree that paranoia psychosis is best understood as a fear of being
harmed or deceived by others.
It usually begins with anxiety about specific situations and develops into more general
feelings of distrust toward others. In extreme cases, these fears may lead to delusional
thoughts or even full-blown psychosis.

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Types of Paranoid Thoughts and Behavior
Someone may have a paranoid thought after watching a scary movie. They might be
worried that someone is planning to harm them or their family.
Other types of paranoid thoughts include worrying about a government conspiracy,
worrying about being poisoned, thinking other people are talking about you or plotting
against you and thinking that almost everyone around you is cheating on their spouse.
If these thoughts feel overwhelming and impossible to manage, talk with your doctor or
therapist.
He or she can help you determine whether there is a medical reason for your symptoms,
such as PTSD, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) or bipolar disorder.

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What is paranoia psychosis? The Mind-bending psychology of fear

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It is also important to get treatment, if you think drugs or alcohol are contributing to your
paranoia psychosis. When left untreated, paranoia can make it hard to function in
daily life.
It can cause problems at work and in relationships. It can even lead to self-harm if you
begin avoiding situations because of your fear.
Causes of Paranoia psychosis
Because paranoia is a symptom, its causes can be traced to mental health conditions like
schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
However, it is also possible for people who don’t have a diagnosable condition to suffer
from paranoia due to stress or chemical imbalances in their brain.
For example, sometimes high levels of stress can cause abnormal electrical activity within
your brain which can trigger paranoia and anxiety attacks.
Similarly, sometimes people use drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine as a way to
avoid reality.
These substances can create out-of-body experiences that may look similar to paranoid
states (like delusions) but are generally easier to treat with help from others and are not
necessarily symptoms of another underlying mental health condition.
In any case, if you are experiencing paranoia, it is important to get yourself checked out by
a professional.
It could be an early sign of something more serious.

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What is paranoia psychosis? The Mind-bending psychology of fear
A look at paranoid personality disorder and schizophrenia
People with paranoid personality disorder have a tendency to view themselves as victims.
They are often extremely suspicious and distrustful of others, jumping at any imagined
slight.
They tend to perceive insults where none are intended and can not tolerate any
disagreement or criticism even if it is constructive.
It is also common for them to be jealous, controlling, and manipulative in their
relationships with others.
People with schizophrenia experience delusions (false beliefs), hallucinations (seeing or
hearing things that are not there), disorganized speech and behavior, negative symptoms
such as apathy or social withdrawal, and cognitive impairments including difficulties
planning and problem solving.
These symptoms may be triggered by stress or drug use. Some people recover from an
episode of schizophrenia within one year, however, many continue to struggle with their
illness over many years.
Treatment usually involves antipsychotic medications and psychotherapy.

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What is paranoia psychosis? The Mind-bending psychology of fear
How treatments affect paranoid patients?
When treating patients for paranoia psychosis, doctors work to identify and then
address what might be causing those feelings.
For example, if you are feeling paranoid because you suspect that your boss is out to get
you at work, your doctor will likely ask about your job and whether there have been any
changes lately.
If it turns out that your boss has been a little more hands-on than usual (but nothing too
unusual), your doctor might then advise cognitive behavioral therapy.
In that case, he or she would work with you to set up a healthy plan for dealing with your
boss, avoid gossiping about him or her in break rooms, respect boundaries and talk only
when necessary.
Over time, you should start to feel less suspicious. In extreme cases, antipsychotic
medications may also be prescribed.
Conclusion
When your survival seems at stake, your brain goes into overdrive. In these extreme
situations, fear can be a very useful tool.

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It causes you to pay attention to what is going on around you, keeps you from putting
yourself in danger and mobilizes action when there are real threats in front of you.
Paranoid thinking kicks into high gear when it is necessary for survival or just feels like it
is.
No wonder some people feel paranoid all the time, If they are constantly feeling
threatened, their brains have good reason to treat every new situation as potentially
dangerous.
But being constantly on guard is not helpful or healthy. If you find that paranoid thoughts
are interfering with your life, don’t ignore them, get help dealing with them instead.
A mental health professional can work with you to understand why certain things trigger
paranoia psychosis and help you develop coping strategies so that they don’t rule your
life anymore.
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