Paranoia
Paranoia: Introduction
Paranoia is a type of delusion,
a firmly held but nevertheless unrealistic belief.
Paranoia is a persecutory delusion that someone will harm you in some way,
whether physically, mentally or emotionally.
» Review Causes of Paranoia:
full list
Causes of Paranoia:
The following medical conditions are some of the possible
causes of Paranoia.
There are likely to be other possible causes, so ask your doctor
about your symptoms.
See full list of 110
causes of Paranoia
» Review Causes of Paranoia:
full list
Causes of Types of Paranoia:
Review the causes of these more specific types of Paranoia:
See full list of 6
types for Paranoia
Paranoia: Symptom Checker
Listed below are some combinations of symptoms associated with Paranoia, as listed in our database.
Visit the Symptom Checker,
to add and remove symptoms and research your condition.
Symptom Checker
Symptom Checker
See full list of 1451
Symptom Checker combinations related to Paranoia
Paranoia Treatments
Review further information on Paranoia Treatments.
Diagnosis Checklist: Questions your doctor may ask (and why!)
During a consultation, your doctor will use various techniques in their assessment of Paranoia.
Your doctor may ask several questions when assessing
your condition. It is important to remember that your consultation is a two-way process and any extra information
you can share with your doctor about your symptoms may help them with their diagnosis.
Some of the questions your doctor may ask are listed below:
- May need to get some history from family members and friends. Paranoid people are most likely to present following requests by family and friends. Paranoid people are by nature suspicious of others and they do not often present voluntarily for care
- How long have you noticed the paranoia?
Why: to determine if acute or chronic. If acute in nature must consider delirium or a new onset of psychiatric illness as a possible cause of delusion. Delirium is an acute confusional state due to many causes e.g. infection, drug intoxication, alcohol withdrawal, hypoxia (reduced oxygen levels in the blood), stroke or head injury. If the onset is chronic a diagnosis of a psychiatric illness or dementia may be more likely.
- What are the symptoms and features of the paranoid thoughts?
Why: e.g. general suspiciousness; fears and beliefs that they are being persecuted, taken advantage of, or wronged in some way; inability to trust or confide in others; hostility if it is perceived that others are prying or scheming against the person; reluctance to sign any sort of paper work; excessive concern about confidentiality; refusal to accept medication or other forms of treatment due to suspiciousness or lack of trust in the clinician's motives; history of repeated terminations of employment.
- How would you describe the person's personality?
Why: Paranoia may be a personality trait characterized by social isolation, hypersensitivity and suspiciousness that may lie inside or outside the range of "normal" behavior. People are diverse and some people have more paranoid beliefs or beliefs in conspiracy theories than other people.
- Was there a known precipitating factor to the paranoid thoughts and behavior?
Why: e.g. physical illness, starting a different medication, abstaining from alcohol. Paranoid thinking is likely to be heightened by stress.
- more questions...»
See Diagnosis Checklist for Paranoia (19
listings)
Videos for Paranoia
Schizophrenia affects 2.5 million people in the United States alone, but few people know anything about the disease and its symptoms. Listen as our...
With the distorted understanding that comes with schizophrenia comes drastic changes in relationships with other people, from close friends to people...
Schizophrenia is a disease that can have devastating effects on a person's ability to function effectively in his or her world. Though there is...
Adherence to medication is important in the treatment of schizophrenia. Listen to experts describe strategies that may help people take their...
See full list of 4 related videos
Stories from Users for Paranoia
Real-life user stories relating to Paranoia:
Symptom specific forums:
The following patient stories in our interactive forums and message boards
relate to Paranoia or relevant symptoms:
Medications or substances causing Paranoia:
The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some of the possible
causes of Paranoia as a symptom.
Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using,
including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.
See full list of 34
medications causing Paranoia
Drug interactions causing Paranoia:
When combined, certain drugs, medications, substances or toxins may react
causing Paranoia as a symptom.
Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using,
including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.
- Lidocaine and Propranolol interaction - Severe paranoia
- Imipramine and Methyltestosterone interaction
- more interactions...»
See full list of 2
drug interactions causing Paranoia
News Archives for Paranoia
Medical news articles related to Paranoia include:
Source: HealthDay News
Diagnosis Checklist: Associated symptoms your doctor may ask about (and why!)
Sometimes, other symptoms may be present and may help your doctor analyse
your condition.
The symptoms your doctor may ask about (in association with Paranoia) may include:
- Memory loss?
Why: Paranoia may be the presenting feature in dementing elderly people.
- Persecutory delusions?
Why: include beliefs that centre around the theme that you are being deliberately wronged, or conspired against, or harmed by another person or agency. Such beliefs are often associated with schizophrenia.
- Delusions of jealousy?
Why: belief, without good reason, that your partner is unfaithful. May be associated with Delusional disorder.
- Hallucinations?
Why: false sensory perception in which you see, hear, smell, sense or taste something that other people do not see, hear, smell or taste. Auditory hallucinations may occur with schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder, dementia or delirium, and their content tends to be related to the nature of the disorder. Visual hallucinations are most common with delirium.
- Psychotic symptoms?
Why: e.g. delusions, hallucinations and disordered thinking - may suggest schizophrenia or bipolar disorder but these symptoms may also be present with delirium, dementia and severe depression.
- more symptoms...»
See Diagnosis Checklist for Paranoia (19
listings)
Paranoia: Comorbid Symptoms
Some of the comorbid or associated medical symptoms
for Paranoia may include these symptoms:
All associated co-morbid symptoms for Paranoia
Causes of General Symptom Types
Research the causes of these more general types of symptom:
Causes of Similar Symptoms to Paranoia
Research the causes of these symptoms that are similar to, or related to, the symptom Paranoia:
Misdiagnosis and Paranoia
Schizophrenia often has misdiagnosed hidden cause: The book "Preventing Misdiagnosis of Women" reports on a
study citing that 83% of people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia
actually had brain lesions (i.e. brain tumors) or temporal lobe seizures...read more »
Cushing's disease can be mistaken for depression: Cushing's disease (or similarly Cushing's syndrome) is a possible misdiagnosis for a person
diagnosed with depression.
It is an endocrine...read more »
Manic-depressive (bipolar) disorder often misdiagnosed: Bipolar disorder, also called manic-depressive disorder, is often
misdiagnosed before reaching a correct diagnosis.
Some...read more »
Epilepsy misdiagnosed as schizophrenia: The book "Preventing Misdiagnosis of Women" reports on a case
of a woman diagnosed with schizophrenia, but...read more »
Simple hearing loss can be misdiagnosed: Elderly patients can be misdiagnosed owing to
symptoms of paranoia, when the underlying cause is really
simple hearing loss.
Due to...read more »
Various mental health symptoms caused by rare epilepsy: Temporal lobe epilepsy is a less common form
of epilepsy that does not have the typical physical seizures.
Patients can suffer from symptoms such as depression, moodiness, anger,
...read more »
Rare seizure-less epilepsy misdiagnosed as various conditions: A complex partial seizure disorder,
such as temporal lobe epilepsy
can be misdiagnosed as various conditions.
Some of the possible misdiagnoses include depression, bipolar disorder,
...read more »
Undiagnosed stroke leads to misdiagnosed aphasia: BBC News UK reported on a man who
had been institutionalized and treated for mental illness
because he suffered from sudden inability to speak.
This was initially...read more »
Dementia may be a drug interaction: A common scenario in aged care is for
a patient to show mental decline to dementia.
Whereas this can, of course, occur due to various medical conditions,
such as a stroke or Alzheimer...read more »
ADHD under-diagnosed in adults: Although the over-diagnoses of ADHD
in children is a well-known controversy, the reverse side related to adults.
Some adults can remain undiagnosed, and indeed the condition has usually been
overlooked throughout childhood....read more »
Bipolar disorder misdiagosed as various conditions by primary physicians: Bipolar disorder (manic-depressive disorder)
often fails to be diagnosed correctly by primary care physicians.
Many patients with bipolar...read more »
Eating disorders under-diagnosed in men: The typical patient with
an eating disorder is female.
The result is that men with eating disorders often fail to be diagnosed or
have a delayed diagnosis.
See misdiagnosis of eating...read more »
Depression undiagnosed in teenagers: Serious bouts of depression can be
undiagnosed in teenagers.
The "normal" moodiness of teenagers can cause severe...read more »
Undiagnosed anxiety disorders related to depression: Patients with depression (see symptoms of depression)
may also have undiagnosed anxiety disorders (see symptoms of anxiety...read more »
Read more about Misdiagnosis and Paranoia
Diagnostic tests for Paranoia:
Various tests are used in the diagnosis of Paranoia. Some of these are listed below :
- Mental state examination - including appearance, behavior, rate and continuity of speech, mood, affect, thought content, evidence of any hallucinations or abnormal beliefs, orientation to time, place and person, attention and concentration, short-term memory, insight and judgement.
- Physical examination
- more tests...»
See full list of 21
diagnostic tests for Paranoia
Home Diagnostic Testing and Paranoia
Home medical tests possibly related to Paranoia:
- Child Behavior: Home Testing
- Mental Health (Adults): Home Testing
- Mental Health: Home Testing:
- Brain & Neurological Disorders: Related Home Testing:
- more tests...»
Diagnostic Guides for Paranoia
Medical Books Excerpts
Read excertps from published book sections related to Paranoia
from the following published medical books
for more detailed information about Paranoia.
Free access (no registration): read all online diagnostic book sections about Paranoia
Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
Paranoia: Research Related Doctors & Specialists
Other ways to find a doctor, or use doctor, physician and specialist online research services:
Hospitals & Clinics: Paranoia
Research extensive quality ratings and patient safety measures
for hospitals, clinics and medical facilities in health specialties related to Paranoia:
Research Hospital & Clinic Quality Ratings » »
Paranoia: Related Rare Diseases
Rare types of medical conditions and diseases in related medical categories:
Paranoia: Self Assessment Tools
Paranoia: Medical Mistakes
Paranoia: Undiagnosed Conditions
Conditions that are commonly undiagnosed in related areas may include:
Patient Surveys for Paranoia
Organs affected by Paranoia:
The list of organs typically affected by Paranoia may include, but is not limited to:
Detailed list of causes of Paranoia
The list below shows some of the causes of Paranoia mentioned in various sources:
See full list of 110
causes of Paranoia
How Common are these Causes of Paranoia?
This information refers to the general prevalence and incidence of these diseases,
not to how likely they are to be the actual cause of Paranoia.
Of the 110
causes of Paranoia that
we have listed, we have the following prevalence/incidence information:
- 2
causes are "very common" diseases
- 2
causes are "common" diseases
- 0
causes are "uncommon" diseases
- 1
causes are "rare" diseases
- 2
causes are "very rare" diseases
- 104
causes have no prevalence information.
See the analysis of the prevalence of 110
causes of Paranoia
Conditions listing symptoms: Paranoia:
The following list of conditions
have 'Paranoia' or similar
listed as a symptom in our database.
This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete.
Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause
of any symptom.
A
Acute intermittent porphyria
... paranoiaAlcohol Withdrawal
... paranoid delusionsAlcoholism
... paranoid delusionsAlzheimer disease 10
... SuspicionAlzheimer disease 12
... SuspicionAlzheimer disease 13
... SuspicionAlzheimer disease 14
... SuspicionAlzheimer disease 15
... SuspicionAlzheimer disease 16
... SuspicionAlzheimer disease 2, late-onset
... SuspicionAlzheimer disease 3, (early-onset Alzheimer disease)
... SuspicionAlzheimer disease 5
... SuspicionAlzheimer disease 6
... SuspicionAlzheimer disease 7
... SuspicionAlzheimer disease 8
... SuspicionAlzheimer disease 9
... SuspicionAlzheimer disease, early-onset, with cerebral amyloid angiopathy
... SuspicionAlzheimer disease, familial, 1
... SuspicionAlzheimer disease, familial, 11
... SuspicionAlzheimer disease, familial, 3, with spastic paraparesis and apraxia
... SuspicionAlzheimer disease, familial, 3, with spastic paraparesis and unusual plaques
... SuspicionAlzheimer disease, familial, 4
... SuspicionAmphetamine abuse
... paranoiaC
Cathinone poisoning
... paranoiaChildhood-Onset Schizophrenia
... paranoiaChoreoacanthocytosis amyotrophic
... paranoiaCocaine addiction
... paranoiaCongenital hepatic porphyria
... paranoiaCrack addiction
... paranoiaCrystal meth addiction
... paranoiaD
Deletion 22q11
... paranoid delusionsDiabetes insipidus, diabetes mellitus, optic atrophy
... paranoiaDown's Syndrome associated Alzheimer's disease
... SuspicionE
Early-onset Alzheimer's
... SuspicionEcstasy abuse
... paranoid symptomsEcstasy addiction
... paranoiaEcstasy withdrawal
... paranoid delusionsF
Familial Forms of Alzheimer's Disease
... SuspicionH
Hawaiian Baby Woodrose poisoning
... paranoiaHerbal Agent overdose - Wormwood
... paranoiaHeroin dependence
... paranoiaL
Late-onset Alzheimer's
... SuspicionLSD addiction
... paranoiaLupus
... paranoiaM
Marijuana abuse
... paranoiaMarijuana addiction
... paranoiaMarijuana overdose
... paranoiaN
Narcotic addiction
... paranoiaO
Opioid addiction
... paranoiaOpium addiction
... paranoiaOxycontin addiction
... paranoiaP
Pain killer addiction
... paranoiaParanoid Personality Disorder
... paranoia, paranoid beliefsParkinson disease 4, autosomal dominant Lewy body (PARK4)
... paranoiaPorphyria
... paranoiaPrescribed medication addiction
... paranoiaPsychosis
... paranoiaPsychotic disorders
... paranoiaR
Right parietal lobe syndrome related Alzheimer's disease
... SuspicionRitalin abuse
... paranoiaS
Schizoid Personality Disorder
... paranoid beliefsSchizophrenia
... paranoid delusionsSchizophrenia 1
... paranoid delusionsSchizophrenia 10
... paranoid delusionsSchizophrenia 11
... paranoid delusionsSchizophrenia 12
... paranoid delusionsSchizophrenia 13
... paranoid delusionsSchizophrenia 14
... paranoid delusionsSchizophrenia 2
... paranoid delusionsSchizophrenia 3
... paranoid delusionsSchizophrenia 4
... paranoid delusionsSchizophrenia 5
... paranoid delusionsSchizophrenia 6
... paranoid delusionsSchizophrenia 7
... paranoid delusionsSchizophrenia 9
... paranoid delusionsSchizotypal Personality Disorder
... paranoid beliefsSelf-induced water intoxication and schizophrenic disorders syndrome
... paranoid delusionsShprintzen syndorme
... paranoid delusionsSleeping pill addiction
... paranoiaSteroid abuse
... paranoiaSubstance Withdrawal Syndrome
... paranoiaSystemic Lupus Erythematosus with Hemolytic Anemia, Susceptibility to, 1
... paranoiaSystemic Lupus Erythematosus with Nephritis, Susceptibility to, 1
... paranoiaSystemic Lupus Erythematosus with Vitiligo, Susceptibility to, 1
... paranoiaSystemic Lupus Erythematosus, Susceptibility to, 1
... paranoiaSystemic Lupus Erythematosus, Susceptibility to, 10
... paranoiaSystemic Lupus Erythematosus, Susceptibility to, 11
... paranoiaSystemic Lupus Erythematosus, Susceptibility to, 12
... paranoiaSystemic Lupus Erythematosus, Susceptibility to, 13
... paranoiaSystemic Lupus Erythematosus, Susceptibility to, 2
... paranoiaSystemic Lupus Erythematosus, Susceptibility to, 3
... paranoiaSystemic Lupus Erythematosus, Susceptibility to, 4
... paranoiaSystemic Lupus Erythematosus, Susceptibility to, 5
... paranoiaSystemic Lupus Erythematosus, Susceptibility to, 6
... paranoiaSystemic Lupus Erythematosus, Susceptibility to, 7
... paranoiaSystemic Lupus Erythematosus, Susceptibility to, 8
... paranoiaSystemic Lupus Erythematosus, Susceptibility to, 9
... paranoiaT
Tolterodine toxicity
... paranoiaTranquilizer addiction
... paranoiaV
Variegate porphyria
... paranoiaVelocardiofacial syndrome
... paranoid delusionsW
Wolfram Syndrome 2
... paranoiaWolfram's disease
... Paranoia
Conditions listing complications: Paranoia:
The following list of conditions
have 'Paranoia' or similar
listed as a complication in our database.
The distinction between a symptom and complication is not always clear,
and conditions mentioning this symptom as a complication may also be relevant.
This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete.
Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause
of any symptom.
L
Lupus
... paranoiaP
Porphyria
... paranoia
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Doctors and specialists: Who should I consult about Paranoia?
Depending on the seriousness of the onset of Paranoia, you may want to consult one of the following medical professionals.
Important:In extreme cases, always seek advice from emergency services :
Classifications of Paranoia:
Subtypes of Paranoia:
Severe paranoid reaction, Hearing voices (2 causes)
Medical Conditions associated with Paranoia:
Delusions (145 causes), Mental problems (2854 causes), Behavioral symptoms (4219 causes), Personality symptoms (3692 causes)
Symptoms related to Paranoia:
Delusions (145 causes), Personality disorder (1 cause), Bipolar disorder, Emotional (1223 causes), Dramatic, Aggressive (161 causes), Lack of remorse, Repeated lying, Impulsive (38 causes), Paranoia (104 causes), Chronic feelings of emptiness, Instability, Anxiety (728 causes), Ideas of reference, Odd beliefs, Reckless disregard
Medical articles on signs and symptoms:
Doctor-patient articles related to symptoms and diagnosis:
These general medical articles may be of interest:
See full list of premium articles on symptoms and diagnosis
Medical News summaries about Paranoia
Our news pages contain the following medical news summaries about Paranoia and many other medical conditions:
More Ways To Research Medical Signs and Symptoms:
» Next page: Causes of Paranoia
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