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Current Opinion in Psychology Oct 2022Paranoia and conspiracy thinking share many risk factors, such as victimization, poverty and social isolation. They also have many phenomenological features in common,... (Review)
Review
Paranoia and conspiracy thinking share many risk factors, such as victimization, poverty and social isolation. They also have many phenomenological features in common, including heightened tendency to attribute negative outcomes to malevolent agents and idiosyncratic pattern detection. Nevertheless, paranoia and conspiracy thinking also differ in key respects. Specifically, paranoid thoughts tend to be held in isolation and involve perceptions of harm to the self. Conspiracy beliefs, on the other hand, are shared by others and involve the perception of collective rather than personal harm. We discuss the similarities and differences between paranoia and conspiracy thinking and outline fruitful avenues for future research.
Topics: Bullying; Crime Victims; Humans; Paranoid Disorders
PubMed: 35767934
DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2022.101362 -
Ugeskrift For Laeger Oct 2007Paranoia (delusional disorder) is an uncommon chronic condition, characterized by the presence of delusions and the relative absence of other psychopathology. Unlike in... (Review)
Review
Paranoia (delusional disorder) is an uncommon chronic condition, characterized by the presence of delusions and the relative absence of other psychopathology. Unlike in schizophrenia, the paranoiac delusions are nonbizarre and concern experiences that can conceivably occur, and the evidence mostly supports the hypothesis that paranoia is a distinct nosologic entity. The article reviews the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, clinical manifestations and management of paranoia. It is concluded that further exploration is required and greater diagnostic and therapeutic attention needs to be given to the non-schizophrenic, non-affective, non-organic delusional psychoses.
Topics: Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; International Classification of Diseases; Paranoid Disorders; Schizophrenia, Paranoid
PubMed: 18031667
DOI: No ID Found -
Psychiatry Research May 2014The purpose of the present study was to review systematically, research exploring the relationship between self-concepts and paranoia in psychosis. A literature search... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
The purpose of the present study was to review systematically, research exploring the relationship between self-concepts and paranoia in psychosis. A literature search was performed by two independent raters in relevant databases (MedLine, PsychInfo and Web of Science) and articles meeting the inclusion criteria were cross-referenced. Following scrutiny according to inclusion criteria, 18 studies were selected for review. A narrative synthesis of findings, in which methodological variability is discussed, is presented relative to three key areas: the nature of the relationship between paranoia and self-concepts; the association between paranoia and discrepancies in self-concepts; the nature of the relationship between paranoia and self-concepts when other, dimensional aspects of these constructs are taken into account. The systematic literature review indicated relatively consistent findings, that paranoia is associated with more negative self-concepts when measured cross-sectionally. Results are somewhat more mixed in regards to research on paranoia and self-concept discrepancies. Studies investigating dimensional aspects of self-concepts and paranoia yield findings of particular interest, especially in regards to the association indicated between instability of self-concepts and paranoia. Limitations in research and of the present systematic review are discussed. Clinical and theoretical implications of findings are outlined and possible directions for future research are suggested.
Topics: Delusions; Humans; Paranoid Disorders; Psychotic Disorders; Self Concept
PubMed: 24630916
DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2014.02.003 -
Psychiatry Research Jan 2022Paranoia is an important psychiatric symptom with a remarkable effect on daily life. Virtual reality (VR)-based treatments are influential and safe for patients with... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
Paranoia is an important psychiatric symptom with a remarkable effect on daily life. Virtual reality (VR)-based treatments are influential and safe for patients with paranoia. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness, and define the clinical and technical characteristics of available VR strategies for the treatment of patients with paranoia.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Studies published up to 25/11/2021 reporting VR-based interventions for the treatment of patients with paranoia were reviewed in five databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Scopus.
RESULTS
Out of 302 initial search results, eight were included in the present study based on the inclusion criteria. Six studies were randomized clinical trials with the interventions in the experimental group being based on VR, compared to routine interventions as controls. Two were before-after studies. The most commonly used hardware and software were head-mounted display and Unity3D, respectively. Interventions had a range of 1-16 sessions with follow-up durations of 0-6 months. All investigations showed positive results in the main target, including improved social participation, reduced level of anxiety, as well as diminished suspicious ideas and paranoid symptoms.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings demonstrated that VR-based interventions are effective treatments. Although the use of VR technology is limited for a variety of reasons, such as cost, it improves symptoms in patients with paranoia.
Topics: Anxiety; Humans; Paranoid Disorders; Virtual Reality; Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy
PubMed: 34922239
DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2021.114338 -
Archives of Suicide Research : Official... 2022Paranoia and suicidality seem to be common traits expressing in the general population to varying degrees. This study aims to explore the association between both and to...
Paranoia and suicidality seem to be common traits expressing in the general population to varying degrees. This study aims to explore the association between both and to identify determinants of comorbidity. We interviewed a representative sample of the population in Andalusia (n = 4507) and assessed paranoia and suicidality utilizing the Spanish Green's Paranoid Thoughts Scale (S-GPTS) and the suicidality section of the MINI Neuropsychiatric Interview, respectively. We gathered data on socio-demographics, personality, substance abuse, social support, and environmental distress. We found that paranoia and suicidality were rather common with 6.4% (95% CI: 5.7-7.12) of the sample admitting to some (vs. none) level of suicidality. We also found a robust association between paranoia and suicidality, independent of age and sex (F:298.2; p =.0001; Eta: .065); 0.5% (95% CI: 0.32-0.76) of the sample (n = 21) presented combinedly high levels of paranoia and some suicidality risk and were considered as having paranoia-suicidality comorbidity (PSC). We identified factors associating with PSC, including poor social support, childhood maltreatment, threatening life-events and increasing personality disorder, and nicotine dependence scores. Paranoia and suicidality are common traits in the general population and their comorbidity seems to associate with low social support, environmental adversity and disordered personality. Suicidality and paranoia are common traits present dimensionally in a representative nonclinical sample. Paranoia strongly and independently associates with suicidality risk in a large population-based study. Paranoia and suicidality comorbidity may be commonly determined by poor social support, disordered personality, previous childhood maltreatment, and exposure to threatening life-events.
Topics: Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Paranoid Disorders; Personality Disorders; Suicidal Ideation; Suicide
PubMed: 34286675
DOI: 10.1080/13811118.2021.1950589 -
Schizophrenia Research Apr 2016Aggression in the context of schizophrenia has significant detrimental personal, clinical and societal implications. Whilst understanding the precise pathways to... (Review)
Review
Aggression in the context of schizophrenia has significant detrimental personal, clinical and societal implications. Whilst understanding the precise pathways to aggression in people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia is critical for risk management and treatment, these pathways remain unclear. A paranoid belief that others intend harm is one psychotic symptom that might contribute to aggressive behaviours. This is the first review to investigate the relationship between paranoia and aggression in psychosis. A systematic review of published literature pertinent to the relationship between paranoia and aggression was conducted. A search of online databases from inception to November 2014 was performed with keywords related to 'schizophrenia', 'paranoia' and 'aggression'. Fifteen studies, primarily cross-sectional in design (n=9), met eligibility criteria. Studies reviewed showed mixed support for an association between paranoia and aggression in both inpatients and community settings. However, when study quality was taken into account, more methodologically rigorous studies tended to show a positive association between factors. Mixed findings are most likely due to important methodological shortcomings, including heterogeneous samples and studies using a diverse range of aggression/violence measures. In light of methodological limitations of individual studies reviewed, further investigation of the relationship between paranoia and aggression in psychosis using robust methodology is needed before definitive clinical recommendations regarding the hypothesised relationship between paranoia and aggression can be made. This paper sets out key recommendations for future studies, including operationalizing the specific components of aggression and paranoia under investigation and methods to delineate important mediators in the paranoia and aggression relationship.
Topics: Aggression; Humans; Paranoid Disorders; Psychotic Disorders; Schizophrenia; Schizophrenic Psychology
PubMed: 26879588
DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2016.02.009 -
Biological Psychiatry. Cognitive... Nov 2022Persecutory delusions are among the most common delusions in schizophrenia and represent the extreme end of the paranoia continuum. Paranoia is accompanied by...
BACKGROUND
Persecutory delusions are among the most common delusions in schizophrenia and represent the extreme end of the paranoia continuum. Paranoia is accompanied by significant worry and distress. Identifying cognitive mechanisms underlying paranoia is critical for advancing treatment. We hypothesized that aberrant belief updating, which is related to paranoia in human and animal models, would also contribute to persecutory beliefs in individuals with schizophrenia.
METHODS
Belief updating was assessed in 42 participants with schizophrenia and 44 healthy control participants using a 3-option probabilistic reversal learning task. Hierarchical Gaussian Filter was used to estimate computational parameters of belief updating. Paranoia was measured using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and the revised Green et al. Paranoid Thoughts Scale. Unusual thought content was measured with the Psychosis Symptom Rating Scale and the Peters et al. Delusions Inventory. Worry was measured using the Dunn Worry Questionnaire.
RESULTS
Paranoia was significantly associated with elevated win-switch rate and prior beliefs about volatility both in schizophrenia and across the whole sample. These relationships were specific to paranoia and did not extend to unusual thought content or measures of anxiety. We observed a significant indirect effect of paranoia on the relationship between prior beliefs about volatility and worry.
CONCLUSIONS
This work provides evidence that relationships between belief updating parameters and paranoia extend to schizophrenia, may be specific to persecutory beliefs, and contribute to theoretical models implicating worry in the maintenance of persecutory delusions.
Topics: Humans; Paranoid Disorders; Schizophrenia; Delusions; Anxiety; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 35430406
DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2022.03.013 -
Schizophrenia Bulletin Mar 2017This review traces, through psychiatric textbooks, the history of the Kraepelinian concept of paranoia in the 20th century and then relates the common reported symptoms... (Review)
Review
This review traces, through psychiatric textbooks, the history of the Kraepelinian concept of paranoia in the 20th century and then relates the common reported symptoms and signs to the diagnostic criteria for paranoia/delusional disorder in DSM-III through DSM-5. Clinical descriptions of paranoia appearing in 10 textbooks, published 1899 to 1970, revealed 11 prominent symptoms and signs reported by 5 or more authors. Three symptoms (systematized delusions, minimal hallucinations, and prominent ideas of reference) and 2 signs (chronic course and minimal affective deterioration) were reported by 8 or 9 of the authors. Four textbook authors rejected the Kraepelinian concept of paranoia. A weak relationship was seen between the frequency with which the clinical features were reported and the likelihood of their inclusion in modern DSM manuals. Indeed, the diagnostic criteria for paranoia/delusional disorder shifted substantially from DSM-III to DSM-5. The modern operationalized criteria for paranoia/delusional disorder do not well reflect the symptoms and signs frequently reported by historical experts. In contrast to results of similar reviews for depression, schizophrenia and mania, the clinical construct of paranoia/delusional disorder has been somewhat unstable in Western Psychiatry since the turn of the 20th century as reflected in both textbooks and the DSM editions.
Topics: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; History, 20th Century; Humans; Paranoid Disorders; Schizophrenia, Paranoid
PubMed: 28003468
DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbw161 -
Journal of Health Psychology Jun 2023Negative body image may be associated with heightened feelings of paranoia. The current study aimed to conduct multidimensional assessments of body image and psychosis...
Negative body image may be associated with heightened feelings of paranoia. The current study aimed to conduct multidimensional assessments of body image and psychosis facets in the general population. Respondents were 407 individuals, who provided basic sociodemographic information, and completed online questionnaires evaluating dysmorphic concerns, body consciousness, paranoia, persecutory and magical ideation and perceptual aberration. Correlation analysis and a series of regressions onto various body image facets (i.e. dysmorphic concerns, private body consciousness, public body consciousness and body competence) were conducted. Distinct patterns of significant associations were uncovered across the range of body image and psychosis facets examined. Paranoia significantly contributed to the severity of dysmorphic concerns, and magical ideation significantly contributed to private and public body consciousness, though effect sizes were modest. Our findings corroborate the relationship between paranoia and dysmorphic concerns, and tentatively suggest that challenging paranoid beliefs could be a useful strategy for managing negative body image.
Topics: Humans; Paranoid Disorders; Emotions; Psychotic Disorders; Interpersonal Relations; Body Image
PubMed: 36314238
DOI: 10.1177/13591053221133890 -
Schizophrenia Bulletin Sep 2019Adolescence can be a challenging time, characterized by self-consciousness, heightened regard for peer acceptance, and fear of rejection. Interpersonal concerns are...
BACKGROUND
Adolescence can be a challenging time, characterized by self-consciousness, heightened regard for peer acceptance, and fear of rejection. Interpersonal concerns are amplified by unpredictable social interactions, both online and offline. This developmental and social context is potentially conducive to the emergence of paranoia. However, research on paranoia during adolescence is scarce.
METHOD
Our aim was to examine the prevalence, structure, and probabilistic causal mechanisms of adolescent paranoia. A representative school cohort of 801 adolescents (11-15 y) completed measures of paranoia and a range of affective, cognitive, and social factors. A Bayesian approach with Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs) was used to assess the causal interactions with paranoia.
RESULTS
Paranoid thoughts were very common, followed a continuous distribution, and were hierarchically structured. There was an overall paranoia factor, with sub-factors of social fears, physical threat fears, and conspiracy concerns. With all other variables controlled, DAG analysis identified paranoia had dependent relationships with negative affect, peer difficulties, bullying, and cognitive-affective responses to social media. The causal directions could not be fully determined, but it was more likely that negative affect contributed to paranoia and paranoia impacted peer relationships. Problematic social media use did not causally influence paranoia.
CONCLUSIONS
There is a continuum of paranoia in adolescence and occasional suspicions are common at this age. Anxiety and depression are closely connected with paranoia and may causally contribute to its development. Paranoia may negatively impact adolescent peer relationships. The clinical significance of paranoia in adolescents accessing mental health services must now be established.
Topics: Adolescent; Affect; Bayes Theorem; Bullying; Causality; Child; Cognition; Cohort Studies; Female; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Male; Paranoid Behavior; Paranoid Disorders; Peer Group; Prevalence; Social Media; United Kingdom
PubMed: 30534970
DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sby180