What Is Paranoia? Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments
Paranoid individuals may believe they are being targeted or are being persecuted. Even though there is no danger to them, individuals could feel threatened with physical injury. Paranoia can arise in those who take drugs, as well as occasionally in people with dementia. Additionally, paranoid thinking might be a sign of a personality issue or mental illness. Keep reading to learn more about this condition.
By We Level Up FL Treatment Center | Editor Yamilla Francese | Clinically Reviewed By Lauren Barry, LMFT, MCAP, QS, Director of Quality Assurance | Editorial Policy | Research Policy | Last Updated: January 30, 2023
What Is Paranoia? What Is The Meaning Of Paranoia?
What Is The Definition Of Paranoia? A thinking process known as paranoia makes you have an unjustified mistrust or suspicion of other people. Paranoid individuals may believe they are being targeted or are being persecuted. Even though there is no danger, individuals could feel threatened with physical injury.
What Is Paranoia A Symptom Of? A paranoia disorder can arise in those who take drugs, as well as occasionally in people with dementia. Additionally, paranoid thinking might signify a personality issue or mental illness.
When you feel threatened even when there is no evidence to support it, such as when someone is watching you or acting against you, you may have paranoia disorder. Many people experience it at some point. Even if you are aware that your worries are unfounded, they can still be upsetting if they occur too frequently.
More extreme paranoia disorder is clinical. It’s a rare mental health problem where you assume the worst about people even when there is no evidence to support it. You don’t believe you are being paranoid since you are pretty certain it is real. If someone is actually trying to harm you, it isn’t paranoia disorder, as the proverb goes.
Paranoia Disorder Symptoms: Symptoms Of Paranoia Disorder
Everybody has had paranoid ideas at some point in their lives, but paranoia disorder is the ongoing presence of paranoid signs and feelings. The severity of paranoia’s symptoms varies, and they can affect every aspect of life. These signs include:
- Constant stress or anxiety related to beliefs they have about others
- Mistrust of others
- Feeling disbelieved or misunderstood
- Feeling victimized or persecuted when there isn’t a threat
- Isolation
Relationships and interactions with others can be challenging due to a lack of confidence in other people and ongoing anxiety, which can lead to issues in both personal and professional relationships.
People who suffer from paranoia disorder may believe that people are trying to hurt them physically or psychologically or even stealing from them. They could be antagonistic or disconnected, making it difficult to collaborate with others, which isolates you.
Schizophrenia with paranoia is a type of mental disorder. Schizophrenia patients frequently have a skeptical attitude toward other people and can be wary and guarded. Additionally, they can be delusional or think that someone is out to get them. Another symptom of schizophrenia is hallucinations.
What Stage Is Paranoia In Dementia? What Stage Of Dementia Is Paranoia?
In patients with dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, paranoia is frequently associated with memory loss. It’s a very typical symptom that usually appears in the middle stages of dementia but may continue into the latter stages.

Skip To:
Learn More:
- Do Crystals For Depression Work?
- Depression and ADHD: What’s the Link?
- Autism and Depression Connection, Diagnosis & Treatment
- Signs of Depression in Men, Causes, & What to Know
- Rehab for Depression & Anxiety Treatment
- What is the Best SSRI for Anxiety?
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Grounding Techniques for Anxiety Attacks
- Mental Health Poems that are Powerful and Healing
- Short-Term Disability Mental Health
Get Help. Get Better. Get Your Life Back.
Searching for Accredited Dual Diagnosis Mental Health Centers Near You?
Even if therapy failed previously, or are in the middle of a difficult crisis, we stand ready to support you. Our trusted behavioral health specialists will not give up on you. When you feel ready or just want someone to speak to about counseling alternatives to change your life call us. Even if we cannot assist you, we will lead you to wherever you can get support. There is no obligation. Call our hotline today.
FREE 24/7 Dual Diagnosis Mental Health Services HotlineParanoia Fact Sheet
Paranoia Overview
What Is Paranoia Disorder? When you feel threatened, even though there is no evidence to support it, you may believe that someone is watching you or trying to harm you. Many people eventually experience it. Even if you are aware that your worries are unfounded, if they occur too frequently, they can be upsetting.
What Is Paranoia? More severe clinical paranoia exists. When there is no evidence, you may have an uncommon mental health condition in which you think that people are intentionally trying to harm you or are being unfair to you. You don’t believe you are being paranoid at all since you are convinced it is true. It’s not paranoia, according to the proverb, if someone is actually trying to harm you.
Symptoms of Paranoia
- Constant stress or anxiety related to beliefs they have about others
- Mistrust of others
- Feeling disbelieved or misunderstood
- Feeling victimized or persecuted when there isn’t a threat
- Isolation
Paranoia Possible Treatments
Medication and psychotherapy are possible forms of treatment, depending on the origin and severity of the symptoms.
- Support group: A place where those pursuing the same disease or objective, such as weight loss or depression, can receive counseling and exchange experiences.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy: A conversation treatment that aimed to change the negative attitudes, actions, and feelings connected to psychiatric discomfort.
- Counseling psychology: A subfield of psychology that handles issues with the self that are connected to work, school, family, and social life.
- Anger management: To reduce destructive emotional outbursts, practice mindfulness, coping skills, and trigger avoidance.
- Psychoeducation: Mental health education that also helps individuals feel supported, validated, and empowered
- Family therapy: psychological counseling that improves family communication and conflict resolution.
Paranoia Statistics
When you feel threatened, even though there is no evidence to support it, you may believe that someone is watching you or trying to harm you. Many people eventually experience it. Even if you are aware that your worries are unfounded, if they occur too frequently, they can be upsetting.
4.4%
From 2.3 to 4.4% of the general US population is estimated to have a paranoid personality disorder.
Source: National Institute on Mental Health
4%
Between 2.3 and 4% of adult Americans in the United States are thought to have a paranoid personality disorder, according to estimates.
Source: National Institute on Mental Health
17.0%
Prevalence in psychiatric clinics ranges from 2 – 10% and 10 – 30% in psychiatric inpatient hospitals.
Source: National Institute of Mental Health

What Causes Paranoia? Paranoia Disorder
What Is Paranoia A Sign Of? Too Little Sleep
Paranoid thoughts are usually not brought on by a single sleepless night. But if you consistently skip sleep, it may start to wear on you. You may not be as clear-headed, and you are more prone to disagree with people or have disagreements with them.
When individuals are simply acting the same way they always do, it could start to appear as though they are working against you. Long-term sleep deprivation may cause you to begin hearing and seeing things that aren’t there (your doctor will call them hallucinations).
For adults to remain attentive and intellectually healthy, they should aim for 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night.
Disorders With Paranoia: Stress
You might begin to grow warier with other people as the stress in your life increases. And the stress need not be caused by a bad thing like a disease or losing your job. Even a joyful event, like a wedding, might produce a certain type of stress that brings forth paranoid thoughts in addition to happiness.
There are several ways to reduce stress:
- Take time to relax and try to forget about what’s stressing you out
- Spend time with friends
- Find something to smile and laugh about
- Get plenty of exercise
- Meditate to clear your mind
Psychiatric Disorders: Paranoia Anxiety Disorder & Mental Disorders With Paranoia
It may be difficult to trust others if you have a disease called paranoid personality disorder. It may lead to unfounded assumptions about other people, such as “They don’t like me,” “They’re making fun of me,” or even “They’re planning against me.” Sometimes, no amount of proof will persuade you to the contrary. The result may be genuine clinical paranoia. Even though you might not believe all of the irrational thoughts that cross your mind, you do.
Another severe disease, schizophrenia, can make it difficult to distinguish between the real world and the imagination. You just aren’t aware when your thoughts have turned paranoid the majority of the time. It frequently takes friends, family members, or medical experts to identify it and make an effort to get you to care.
Some people with borderline personality disorder experience paranoid thoughts and even clinical paranoia (Borderline Personality Disorder And Paranoia – Borderline Personality Disorder Paranoia) due to their rapid emotional swings, which cause them to love someone one minute and detest them the next.
The mere fact that you occasionally experience paranoia or worry about what other people think of you does not indicate that you suffer from a mental illness. Knowing that your thoughts are illogical may be a sign of excellent mental health. But if you experience these paranoid feelings frequently or they begin to interfere with your daily activities at home or at work, you might want to speak with your doctor or a mental health professional.
Drug Use: Borderline Personality Disorder Paranoia
Chemicals found in marijuana, hallucinogens like LSD and psychotropic mushrooms, and stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine can temporarily paralyze some users. The paranoia also disappears when the chemicals are removed from your body. Days or weeks of heavy drinking can produce short-term paranoia as well, and over time, it can result in persistent paranoia and even hallucinations.
Drugs can make modest depressive symptoms, such as paranoid thoughts that are making you worried, considerably worse. They may cause some people to have actual clinical paranoia, a symptom of a psychiatric condition.
Alcohol might make paranoia worse. Additionally, it lessens our inhibitions, which makes it more difficult to restrain these emotions.

End the Emotional Pain. Get Your Life Back.
Feeling Depressed, Anxious or Struggling with Mental Health Illness? Get Safe Comfortable Mental Health Dual Diagnosis High-Quality Therapy From Counselors That Care. Begin Your Recovery Now.
Hotline (855) 940-6125Mental Disorders Paranoia
Paranoia Personality Disorder
A long-term habit of mistrust and suspicion of people without good cause is a sign of paranoid personality disorder (PPD), a mental health disease (paranoia). People with PPD frequently think that others are threatening, demeaning, or harming them.
Bipolar Disorder And Paranoia (Paranoia And Bipolar Disorder)
Paranoia In Bipolar Disorder: Paranoia Bipolar Disorder
Delusional Paranoia Disorder: A persistent belief in something that isn’t genuine, real, or likely to occur is referred to as a delusion. Grandiose fantasies are possible in people. They do so because they think they are superhuman or possess unique abilities. During manic periods, bipolar disorder patients frequently have grandiose fantasies.
Bipolar Disorder Paranoia: A person with bipolar disorder may develop paranoid delusions during depressive episodes. They might think someone is trying to harm them or their possessions.
Paranoia Schizoaffective Disorder
A mental health condition known as schizoaffective disorder is characterized by a confluence of schizophrenia symptoms like hallucinations or delusions and mood disorder symptoms like depression or mania.
Paranoia Anger Disorder
Intense and illogical mistrust or suspicion, which can elicit emotions of fear, rage, and betrayal, are signs of paranoia and delusional disorders.
How is Paranoia Diagnosed?
In order to rule out a physical or medical cause for your symptoms, such as dementia, your doctor will do a physical examination and take a thorough medical history. Avoid taking a paranoia disorder test online, the real answer is always given by a specialist.
Your doctor will recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist who will conduct an evaluation and psychological tests to help them determine your mental state and whether your paranoia is a symptom of a psychiatric condition. The following conditions can also manifest in paranoid individuals:
- Bipolar disorder
- Anxiety
- Depression
First-class Facilities & Amenities
World-class High-Quality Mental Health Services & Behaviroal Health Substance Abuse Treatment
Rehab Centers TourRenowned Mental Health Centers. Serene Private Facilities. Inpatient Rehab Programs Vary.
Mental Health Helpline (855) 940-6125Proven recovery success experience, backed by a Team w/ History of:
- 15+ Years Experience
- 100s of 5-Star Reviews
- 10K+ Recovery Successes
- Low Patient to Therapist Ratio
- Comprehensive Dual-Diagnosis Treatment
- Complimentary Family & Alumni Programs
- Coaching, Recovery & Development Events
- Comfortable Onsite Medical Detox Center
How is Paranoia Treated?
Medication and psychotherapy are possible forms of treatment, depending on the origin and severity of the symptoms. The goal of psychotherapy for paranoid individuals is to:
- Accept their vulnerability
- Increase their self-esteem
- Develop trust in others
- Learn to express and handle emotions in a positive manner

Psychotherapy is frequently used as part of treatment for a paranoid personality disorder to aid in the development of coping mechanisms that will enhance socialization and communication. Anti-anxiety drugs are occasionally prescribed by doctors to treat paranoid personality disorder in patients who experience frequent anxiety or terror. Atypical antipsychotic drugs may also be beneficial.
People with paranoid schizophrenia typically need medication because they frequently have trouble regaining their sense of reality. Antipsychotic drugs are frequently used as the first line of treatment. Antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs may also be recommended by your doctor.
Once your illness has stabilized, your doctor might suggest additional treatment. This can include counseling for individuals or families, as well as psychotherapy. When drug usage causes paranoia, treatment is frequently supportive until the drug effects subside. After that, your doctor would probably advise you to enroll in a drug rehabilitation program.
What Happens If Paranoia Is Left Untreated?
Though it is not a diagnosis in and of itself, paranoia is a symptom of various mental health issues.
The intensity of paranoid thoughts can range from very low to very severe, and each person will likely experience them in a unique way. Depending on how much:
- You believe the paranoid thoughts
- You think about the paranoid thoughts
- The paranoid thoughts upset you
- The paranoid thoughts interfere with your everyday life
Up to one-third of us probably suffer mild paranoia at some point in our lives. Typically, this is referred to as non-clinical paranoia. Over time, these kinds of paranoid thoughts frequently alter, so you can come to understand that they are unfounded or simply cease having those particular thoughts.
Extreme paranoia is at the other end of the scale (also called clinical paranoia or persecutory delusions). You are more likely to require treatment if your paranoia is more severe.
World-class, Accredited, 5-Star Reviewed, Effective Mental Health Dual Diagnosis Programs. Complete Integrated Inpatient Rehab with Free Post Discharge Therapy Planning.
CALL (855) 940-6125End the Emotional Pain Rollercoaster. Gain Stability & Happiness Through Recovery Treatment. Start Mental Health Counseling Today. Get Free No-obligation Guidance by Behaviroal Health Specialists Who Understand Mental Health Recovery.
We Level Up Dual Diagnosis Treatment
The definition of dual diagnosis (also referred to as co-occurring disorders) can differ between institutions. However, it is generally described as the specific treatment of someone who has been diagnosed with a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder at the same time. Treating dual-diagnosis clients is a critical aspect of our inpatient treatment experience because co-occurring disorders are strongly correlated with instances of substance abuse.
Creating a treatment plan that addresses the physical aspects of withdrawal, the psychological connection with drug use, and managing underlying mental health disorders is part of setting clients up for success. A thorough mental health analysis identifies possibilities for treatment. Meeting with mental health counselors and medical care providers means access to behavioral therapy and medication treatment. At our dual diagnosis treatment center, We Level Up can implement the highest quality of care.
We recognize the fragile complexities of how mental and substance abuse disorders can influence others and sometimes result in a vicious cycle of addiction. That’s why we offer specialized treatment in dual-diagnosis cases to provide the most excellent chance of true healing and long-lasting recovery.
It can be challenging to accept that you may be living with a mental illness, but once it is properly diagnosed and treated, treating the presenting case of substance abuse can be magnitudes easier. Only a properly trained medical professional can diagnose these underlying conditions. If you believe you are suffering from a disorder alongside addiction, we urge you to seek a qualified treatment center to begin your journey to recovery. Call We Level Up today.
Start a New Life
Begin with a free call to a behavioral health treatment advisor. Learn more about our dual-diagnosis programs. The We Level Up treatment center network delivers recovery programs that vary by each treatment facility. Call to learn more.
- Personalized Care
- Caring Accountable Staff
- World-class Amenities
- Licensed & Accredited
- Renowned w/ 5-Star Reviews
We’ll Call You
Search We Level Up FL Paranoia Disorder Resources
Sources
[1] National Institute of Mental Health – ‘Depression’ (www.nimh.nih.gov)
[2] U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (www.fda.gov/)
[3] Depression Treatment » Drug Alcohol Addiction Rehab
[5] NIMH – https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/social-anxiety-disorder-more-than-just-shyness
[6] Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors – National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine
[7] ‘Anxiety Disorders’ – National Institute Of Mental Health (Nimh.nih.gov)
[8] Psychopharmacology of anxiety disorders – National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine
[9] Products – Data Briefs – Number 379 – September 2020 (cdc.gov) Depression – National Institute of Mental Health
[10] Coping with Stress – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention