Paranoia as a Symptom of Schizophrenia

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDelusionsHallucinationsCopingTreatmentSupporting a Loved One

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Delusions

Hallucinations

Coping

Treatment

Supporting a Loved One

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In the current version of theDSM(DSM-5, released in 2013), there are no longer subtypes ofschizophrenia. Previously, there was paranoid schizophrenia, along with disorganized,catatonic, undifferentiated, andresidualtypes. It was determined that these were not helpful to clinicians when treating the disorder.

While you can no longer be diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, you can experience “paranoid” symptoms. In fact, paranoia remains one criterion for diagnosing schizophrenia and is known as a “positive symptom.”

This means it is part of the normal day-to-day living for people with schizophrenia and is in excess or added to normal mental functioning. In the most general sense, the term paranoia is used to imply a sense of distrust.

In schizophrenia, it can be an irrational fixed belief that one is going to be harmed. Those struggling with this symptom of schizophrenia experience hallucinations and delusions that often leave them feeling confused, fearful, and mistrusting of others.

Positive Symptoms in Schizophrenia

Someone with schizophrenia with paranoia will experience a preoccupation withdelusions. Delusions refer to a fixed false belief. No matter how much information is presented to you showing that the belief is false or misperceived, you continue to hold on to the belief. There are many types of delusions, although the following are most common:

Ahallucinationis a false sensory perception and can affect any of the five senses. The types of hallucinations are referred to as:

Examples of auditory (sound) and visual (sight) hallucinations in someone with paranoia may include:

If you’re dealing with paranoia, these hallucinations can feel unsettling and unwelcome, which can result in confusion and anxiety about where the hallucinations are coming from and if, or when, they will happen again.

Living With Paranoia

Because the experience of delusions and hallucinations can be so intrusive, confusing and unsettling, you may find it difficult to let anyone know what you are experiencing. It can be challenging when you are left feeling scared, alone, and unable to trust others.

If you feel unsafe, it can be a challenge to build or maintain relationships, keep employment, or engage in tasks of daily living.

Interactions with others can feel threatening and attending social events can feel risky, which can lead people to become reclusive in an effort to feel safe.

Schizophrenia treatment specialist, Dr. Lisa Cowley, shares that one of the greatest challenges in reaching out for help for those with paranoia and schizophrenia is a lack of awareness or understanding of their condition.

“To these folks, their symptoms appear like they are really happening,” Dr. Cowley shares. “So, if they feel like the government is spying on them through cameras in their home, they wouldn’t go see a psychiatrist or psychologist, they would try to contact authorities.”

As symptoms progress, someone dealing with paranoia may become aware that they have an illness and seek help. In this case, family members or support services may be necessary to help with treatment challenges like transportation and lack of problem-solving skills when their symptoms are high and their thinking is muddled, Dr. Cowley notes.

The Internal Experience of Schizophrenia

Treatment for Paranoia

Although there is no known cure for schizophrenia with paranoia, there aretreatment optionsavailable that can help you live a full and productive life. Medications, particularly antipsychotics, can help calm disruptive delusions and hallucinations.

Try to keep in mind that your doctor may have you try a few different medications before finding a regimen that works best for you. Once the best medication regimen is determined, then things like individual therapy, group therapy, and other support services can be of help, depending on the resources available in your area.

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“This book directly addresses how families can help, especially with people who don’t realize they are ill,” she says.

She also recommends setting healthy limits and doing your best to stay patient; the stabilization process can take time. Getting family therapy or joining an online or in-person support group is also helpful, adds Cowley. Here are a few more tips to help you cope with and support your loved one with schizophrenia and paranoia.

5 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Carpenter WT, Tandon R.Psychotic disorders in DSM-5: summary of changes.Asian J Psychiatr. 2013;6(3):266–268. doi:10.1016/j.ajp.2013.04.001Holder SD, Wayhs A.Schizophrenia.Am Fam Physician. 2014;90(11):775–782.Kreinin A.“Hearing voices” in schizophrenia: who’s voices are they?.Med Hypotheses. 2013;80(4):352–356. doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2012.12.022Goghari VM, Harrow M.Twenty year multi-follow-up of different types of hallucinations in schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, and depression.Schizophr Res. 2016;176(2-3):371–377. doi:10.1016/j.schres.2016.06.027Lally J, MacCabe JH.Antipsychotic medication in schizophrenia: a review.Br Med Bull. 2015;114(1):169–179. doi:10.1093/bmb/ldv017Additional ReadingNational Institute of Mental Health.Schizophrenia.https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/schizophrenia/index.shtml.

5 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Carpenter WT, Tandon R.Psychotic disorders in DSM-5: summary of changes.Asian J Psychiatr. 2013;6(3):266–268. doi:10.1016/j.ajp.2013.04.001Holder SD, Wayhs A.Schizophrenia.Am Fam Physician. 2014;90(11):775–782.Kreinin A.“Hearing voices” in schizophrenia: who’s voices are they?.Med Hypotheses. 2013;80(4):352–356. doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2012.12.022Goghari VM, Harrow M.Twenty year multi-follow-up of different types of hallucinations in schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, and depression.Schizophr Res. 2016;176(2-3):371–377. doi:10.1016/j.schres.2016.06.027Lally J, MacCabe JH.Antipsychotic medication in schizophrenia: a review.Br Med Bull. 2015;114(1):169–179. doi:10.1093/bmb/ldv017Additional ReadingNational Institute of Mental Health.Schizophrenia.https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/schizophrenia/index.shtml.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Carpenter WT, Tandon R.Psychotic disorders in DSM-5: summary of changes.Asian J Psychiatr. 2013;6(3):266–268. doi:10.1016/j.ajp.2013.04.001Holder SD, Wayhs A.Schizophrenia.Am Fam Physician. 2014;90(11):775–782.Kreinin A.“Hearing voices” in schizophrenia: who’s voices are they?.Med Hypotheses. 2013;80(4):352–356. doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2012.12.022Goghari VM, Harrow M.Twenty year multi-follow-up of different types of hallucinations in schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, and depression.Schizophr Res. 2016;176(2-3):371–377. doi:10.1016/j.schres.2016.06.027Lally J, MacCabe JH.Antipsychotic medication in schizophrenia: a review.Br Med Bull. 2015;114(1):169–179. doi:10.1093/bmb/ldv017

Carpenter WT, Tandon R.Psychotic disorders in DSM-5: summary of changes.Asian J Psychiatr. 2013;6(3):266–268. doi:10.1016/j.ajp.2013.04.001

Holder SD, Wayhs A.Schizophrenia.Am Fam Physician. 2014;90(11):775–782.

Kreinin A.“Hearing voices” in schizophrenia: who’s voices are they?.Med Hypotheses. 2013;80(4):352–356. doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2012.12.022

Goghari VM, Harrow M.Twenty year multi-follow-up of different types of hallucinations in schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, and depression.Schizophr Res. 2016;176(2-3):371–377. doi:10.1016/j.schres.2016.06.027

Lally J, MacCabe JH.Antipsychotic medication in schizophrenia: a review.Br Med Bull. 2015;114(1):169–179. doi:10.1093/bmb/ldv017

National Institute of Mental Health.Schizophrenia.https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/schizophrenia/index.shtml.

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