There are no he althy people, there are unexamined. Mental disorders are the scourge of modern times. However, such people should not be blamed: it is a disease, like diabetes, but who will look at a diabetic with contempt? The deplorability of such diseases is that diabetes cannot spoil relations with others or even harm them. And paranoia can…
Description of the disorder
People with paranoia tend to be characterized by a pervasive distrust and suspicion of other individuals, which manifests itself in systematized delusions. A person with this disorder almost always believes that the motives of others have a subtext or a malicious effect. They can cycle through their suspicions to a trusted person, ignoring the main topic of the conversation. If a confidant convicts him of being wrong, he automatically falls under suspicion of conspiring with enemies and haters.
Another variant, when a person sees everywhere a conspiracy drawn up against him by a certain group of people, and heHe tells everyone he meets about it. Thus, the patient wants to protect himself from "attacks" and make others aware of this. In these cases, the hallucinatory-paranoid syndrome may manifest itself in the fact that the patient calls the police or turns to other social institutions, declaring "attempts" by intruders.
Persons with this disorder assume that others will intend to take advantage of them or deceive them, even if no evidence of this exists. While it is normal for most people to have some phobia and suspicion, in paranoid sufferers, this disorder permeates virtually every professional and personal relationship. This behavior is stable and long lasting no matter what the environment is like.
People who are diagnosed with paranoid syndrome often have problems with loved ones or relatives. This manifests itself in regular arguments, groundless complaints, accusations and hostile alienation. This behavior leads to disturbances or frustrations in social work, as paranoids are hypervigilant, secretive, and do not show friendly, affectionate feelings. Total distrust of others causes an excessive need to be self-sufficient and autonomous. Such people must also have a high degree of control over those around them. Often these are rude and tough natures who criticize others and are very difficult to communicate.
Paranoid Syndrome:symptoms
- Unfounded suspicion that others are using, harming or cheating them.
- Anxiety and unjustified doubts about the loy alty and reliability of friends, spouses or partners.
- Reluctant to confide in others due to unreasonable fear that information will be used maliciously against them.
- Treat remarks or criticism as a humiliation or threat and immediately respond with vicious attacks or counterattacks.
- Stubbornly do not forgive insults.
- Have delusional ideas, and without justification, regarding the fidelity of a spouse or sexual partner.
- Patients are sure that people who are nearby are whispering or laughing at them (verbal illusions).
Examples of paranoia
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It may seem to a person that most of the employees at work conspired to survive from their position; that people laughing next to him are discussing it; not invited to tea or a party because they hate it.
- The paranoid often superimposes his delusional ideas on real events and mixes partial memories with non-existent events (thus the listener cannot tell if this is true or fiction).
- Hallucinatory-paranoid syndrome can manifest itself in the fact that it seems to a person that people look at him somehow evil, withhatred, want to lash out and cause harm. It may seem that everyone around him are secret agents sent to capture and send him to prison. That he has listening devices in his room, and in his absence opponents enter the house. In more severe cases, there are obsessions that insects crawl over the body, that food is poisoned, etc.
- Delirium can also be associated with an imaginary underestimation of the uniqueness, talent or scientific discovery of the patient. The paranoid will demonstrate his invaluable talent everywhere and prove that the "enemies" are simply jealous of him.
This disorder is most often diagnosed after the age of forty. It is difficult to detect the disease in children or adolescents, because they are constantly changing and developing as individuals. However, if paranoia is diagnosed in childhood, the features of the disease must be present for at least a year. Psycho-emotional personality disorders are more common in men than in women.
Hallucinations
Hallucinations can manifest as a voice in your head or imaginary friends. Voices often carry negative information. Consequently, to some of those who "hear" some speeches, it seems that other people spoke about them or were "against" them. There are patients who have come to terms with hallucinations and have learned to live with them, not paying attention to their presence. One way to distract yourself is to listen to music or focus on something else.
How is it diagnosedpersonality disorder?
Personality disorders such as paranoia in particular are diagnosed by a qualified mental he alth professional (psychologist or psychiatrist). Family doctors and therapists are usually not trained in this. Thus, you can first consult with the family doctor and get a referral to a specialized specialist to identify the causes of the disease and treat it. The diagnosis cannot be made based on the results of blood tests or genetic tests. Some information can be obtained by tomography of the brain, as a violation of the oxygen supply to this organ or vascular diseases can provoke paranoia.
Causes of paranoid personality disorder
There are many theories regarding this issue, but researchers today do not know exactly what causes paranoid disorder. Most professionals agree that the causes can be complex:
- early childhood interactions with family, friends and other children;
- human personality and character;
- formation of the psyche in stressful situations (psychosis);
- schizophrenia;
- apnea (heavy snoring);
- vascular diseases of the brain;
- head injury.
There is an increased risk of passing this disorder on to future generations.
Paranoia can be caused by the abuse of alcohol and drugs, including stimulants like methamphetamine(meth) and cocaine. The use of hallucinogenic drugs is temporary. People who are sleep deprived for long periods of time may experience symptoms of psychosis. Some prescription drugs, such as steroids and stimulants, can cause mental he alth problems.
Treatment for personality disorder
Persons with paranoia are often denied treatment. Anyone who can induce them to do so is automatically categorized as an enemy plotting evil against them.
Treatment involves long-term psychotherapy with a doctor who is experienced in correcting this type of disorder. Therapy involves regular meetings during which you can talk with a mental he alth consultant. The purpose of such conversations is to change the thinking and behavior of the patient. This approach has shown its effectiveness: paranoid people get the opportunity to manage their illness. Medications may be prescribed to help with specific anxiety symptoms.
