Paranoiais apattern of thinkingthat involves intense, irrational distrust and suspicion.
Getting to the root cause of paranoia generally begins with a healthcare provider collecting the person’s medical history.
Paranoia also occurs with certain mental health conditions, particularly those involvingpsychosis.
ONOKY - Eric Herchaft / Getty Images
Paranoid personality disorderis a distinctpersonality disorder(separate from BPD and other personality disorders).
People with paranoid personality disorder have a chronic and pervasive distrust and suspicion of others.
Bipolar Disorder
Paranoid delusions can occur duringmanicor depressive episodes inbipolar disorder.
A healthcare provider may recommend medication, psychotherapy, ormost frequentlya combination of the two.
Medication
Antipsychotic medicationmay be prescribed, particularly with underlying psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Other medications that might be used includeantidepressants,mood stabilizers, andanti-anxiety drugs.
Digital Treatments
Technology has changed the way paranoia and other mental health issues are treated.
Coping With Paranoia
It’s crucial to discuss feelings of paranoia with a healthcare provider orpsychiatrist.
Finding the most effective treatment may take time, but don’t lose hope.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
The role of doubt in pharmacological and metacognitive therapies.Front Psychol.
2019;10:2099. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02099
Raihani N, Bell V.An evolutionary perspective on paranoia.Nature Human Behav.
2019;3:114-121. doi:10.1038/s41562-018-0495-0
Bouchard JP.
[Mental disorders and dangerous acting out].Soins Psychiatr.
Mental Health America.Paranoia and delusional disorders.
Society of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging.Types of brain disorders.
2019;14(1).
2019;32(1):22-26. doi:10.1097/YCO.0000000000000462
National Institute of Mental Health.Bipolar disorder.
National Library of Medicine.Psychosis.
2019;13:108. doi:10.3389/fnins.2019.00108
National Institute of Mental Health.Mental health medications.
Cleveland Clinic.Paranoid personality disorder.
2021;78(7):714-725. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2021.0326
