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    * Overview of Schizophrenia
    * Schizophrenia statistics: How many people have schizophrenia?
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      * Delusions vs paranoia: Is there a difference?
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      * The stigma of mental illness: schizophrenia
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 * Schizophrenia
   * Overview of Schizophrenia
   * Schizophrenia statistics: How many people have schizophrenia?
   * Clinical Course of Disease
   * Symptoms
     * Delusions vs paranoia: Is there a difference?
   * How is functioning affected by Schizophrenia?
 * Diagnosis & Treatment
   * Diagnosis
   * Treatment & Remission
 * Myths Vs Truths
 * Living with
   Schizophrenia
   * Personal Life
     * The stigma of mental illness: schizophrenia
   * Professional Life
   * Pregnancy
   * Healthy lifestyle tips
     * Mindfulness and yoga
     * SLEEPLESS IN SCHIZOPHRENIA
     * Weight gain in Schizophrenia
     * Why should people living with schizophrenia exercise?
     * Diet, nutrition and schizophrenia – are you what you eat?
     * Sleep yourself healthy: the importance of sleep for mental health
   * Schizophrenia and Addiction
     * Schizophrenia and smoking
     * Illicit drug use and schizophrenia
     * Alcohol and schizophrenia: what’s the connection?
 * How can I help
   * How can I help?
   * The Candid Book New
 * FAQ

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DELUSIONS AND PARANOIA: 
IS THERE A DIFFERENCE?

IN THIS SECTION



Paranoia and delusions are terms that are used in psychiatry, and the two are
often intertwined in mental health illnesses. Paranoid thoughts and delusions
can occur in various psychiatric diseases, including schizophrenia and mania,
but also depression, substance abuse or dementia. Schizophrenia is commonly
associated with delusions and paranoia. In fact, the most common form of
schizophrenia is called paranoid schizophrenia1, and delusions are common
symptoms of schizophrenia1.
 
In common speech these two terms are often used as synonyms. Many users are not
entirely clear about their respective definitions, but both terms are often
used, especially to express anger about the other person’s behaviour: “You are
totally delusional!” or “That’s totally paranoid of you!” But what do these two
terms really mean? And what is the difference between them?




DELUSIONS



Delusions can be defined as “fixed beliefs that are not amenable to change in
light of conflicting evidence2.”  In other words, a person with delusions is not
willing to change a belief that they have about something, even if there is
evidence that his/her belief is completely wrong and unfounded.  Here are some
examples2 of the different types of delusions to make this clearer:
 

Persecutory delusions (most common), also known as paranoid delusions

belief that one is going to be harmed and/or harassed by an individual,
organization or other group

Referential (also common)

belief that certain comments, gestures, environmental cues, etc. are directed at
oneself

Somatic

focus on preoccupations about health and organ functions

Grandiose

belief that one has fame, wealth, exceptional abilities

Erotomanic

the individual believes that another person is in love with him/her

Nihilistic

the individual is convinced that a major catastrophe will happen






Delusions are considered bizarre „if they are clearly implausible and not
understandable to same-culture peers and do not derive from ordinary life
experiences.”2 For example, a person who believes that an outside force has
removed his/her internal organs and replaced them with someone else’s organs
without leaving any wounds or scars is having a bizarre delusion.  On the other
hand, an example of a non-bizarre delusion is the belief that one is under
surveillance by the police, despite a lack of convincing evidence.  Delusions
are usually regarded as bizarre if they express a loss of control over mind or
body.  Here are some examples2:

Thought withdrawal

belief that some outside force “removes” on’s thoughts

Thought insertion

belief that alien thougst have been put into one’s mind

Delusions of control

belief that some outside force in manipulating one’s body or actions


It can sometimes be difficult to differentiate between a delusion and just a
strongly held idea2. This can depend on how strongly the belief is held, even
though there is very clear/reasonable contradictory evidence about its truth.




PARANOIA



Paranoia can be defined as “an unfounded or exaggerated distrust of others3.”
Paranoid individuals constantly suspect the motives of those around them, and
believe that certain individuals, or people in general, are “out to get them3.”
Paranoid thoughts are not unusual and can occur in all people at one point or
the other in their life. Think for example walking home in the dark and a car
slowly driving up next to you, or people whispering and looking at you while you
walk by. In such cases it is not unusual to encounter the fear of people wanting
to get you, even though nothing happens.
 
Paranoia only becomes problematic when it reaches clinical proportions, meaning
delusional proportions. In such cases, as described above, the person becomes
inflexible to accepting clear evidence that is contrary to their fixed belief.
Then paranoia grows into persecutory/paranoid delusion in which someone feels
like another person or a group/organization is out the get them1. Other
delusions such as nihilistic beliefs, thought withdrawal, thought insertion,
delusions of control may also worsen the paranoia and therefore the persecutory
delusion. Further, hallucinations, which are “sensory impressions (sight, touch,
sound, smell, or taste) that have no basis in external stimulation1” can also
lead to paranoid delusions.  The person experiences and believes/feels that the
hallucinations are real and can become fearful/paranoid if these hallucinations
are believed to come from hostile people.




CONCLUSIONS



In summary, delusions and paranoia can be closely linked to each other. Put
simply, paranoia is the unfounded or exaggerated fear of others, which can
become delusional if this fear cannot be changed even in the light of strong
evidence, in which case it grows into a paranoid delusion. Therefore paranoia
(if severe) can be considered one type of delusion, while delusions are a bigger
group. Delusions may appear with no signs of paranoia, and the reverse is also
true.  Both delusions and paranoia can differ in severity, and when severe, they
can lead to debilitating mental illnesses. 

References

 1. WHO. ICD-10 Version: 2019. (2019).
 2. DSM V. American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual
    of Mental Disorders: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,
    Fifth Edition. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association, 2013.
    (2013).
 3. The Free Dictionary by Farlex.
    https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/.

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QUICK OVERVIEW OF SCHIZOPHRENIA

Schizophrenia can be defined as a severe mental disorder which affects
behaviours, thoughts and emotions. You may only notice the first symptoms around
teenage

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ABOUT THE SYMPTOMS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA

People with schizophrenia may present a variety of symptoms, which may impact
upon their quality of life.¹ These symptoms usually start at a young age,
between

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