Paranoiac syndrome: a description, causes, symptoms and features of treatment

There are no healthy people, there are those who have not been examined. Mental disorders are a scourge of modern times. But do not blame such people: it's a disease, like diabetes, but who will look at a diabetic with contempt? The plausibility of such diseases is that diabetes can not spoil relations with others or even harm them. And paranoia can ...

Description of the disorder

People who have a paranoid syndrome, as a rule, are characterized by the presence of pervasive mistrust and suspicion to other personalities, which manifests itself in a systemic delirium. A person with such a disorder almost always believes that the motives of others have a subtext or malicious effect. They cyclically can talk about their suspicions to a trusted person, ignoring the main topic of the conversation. If the trustee convinces him of wrong, it automatically falls under suspicion of conspiracy with enemies and haters.

Another option is when a person is always looking for a conspiracy made against him by a certain group of people, and he tells everyone about this, whoever he meets. Thus, the patient wants to protect himself from "attacks" and put others in a position to know about it. In these cases, the hallucinatory-paranoid syndrome can be manifested in the fact that the patient calls the militia or appeals to other social institutions, stating "attempts" by intruders.

Individuals with this disorder assume that others will have a purpose to use them or deceive, even if there is no evidence of this. Although having some phobia and suspicion is normal for most people, in patients with paranoia this disorder permeates virtually all professional and personal relationships. This behavior is stable and lasting, no matter what the situation is around.

People who are diagnosed with a paranoid syndrome often have problems with relatives or relatives. This manifests itself in regular disputes, groundless complaints, accusations and hostile estrangement. Such behavior leads to disturbances or disorders in social work, because paranoids are extremely vigilant, they are secretive and do not show friendly, affectionate feelings.

A total distrust of others causes an excessive need to be self-sufficient and autonomous. Such people should also have a high degree of control over others. Often these are rude and hard natures who criticize others and are very difficult to communicate.

Paranoid syndrome: symptoms

• Ungrounded suspicions that others use them, harm or deceive.

• Concern and unjustified doubts about the loyalty and trustworthiness of friends, spouses or partners.

• They do not want to trust others because of the unreasonable fear that the information will be used maliciously in relation to them.

• They perceive comments or criticism in their address as humiliation or threat and immediately react with malicious attacks or counterattack.

• Persistently do not forgive offenses.

• They have delusional ideas, and without justification, regarding the fidelity of the spouse or sexual partner.

• Patients are sure that people who are nearby, whisper or laugh, mocking them (verbal illusions).

Examples of paranoid syndrome

• It may seem to a person that the majority of employees at work have conspired to survive from their position; That people laughing next to him discuss it; Do not invite to tea or a party, because they hate.

• The paranoid who often lays his delirious ideas on real events and mixes up partial memories with non-existent events (in connection with which the hearer of such speeches can not understand whether this is true or fiction).

• The hallucinatory-paranoid syndrome can be manifested in the fact that a person seems to think that people look at him as something evil, with hatred, they want to attack and cause harm. It may seem that all who surround him are secret agents sent to seize and send him to prison. That in his room there are listening devices, and in his absence enemies enter the house. In more severe cases, there are obsessions about the fact that insects creep along the body, that food is poisoned, etc.

• Delusions can also be associated with an imaginary underestimation of the uniqueness, giftedness, or scientific discovery of a patient. Paranoid everywhere will demonstrate his invaluable talent and prove that "enemies" are just jealous of him.

This disorder is most often diagnosed at 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 should be present at least a year. Psychoemotional personality disorders are more common in men than in women.

Hallucinations

Hallucinations can manifest as a voice in the head or the presence of imaginary friends. Voices often carry negative information. Consequently, some of those who "hear" some speeches, it seems that other people talked about them or were "against" them. There are patients who have reconciled 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 the personality disorder diagnosed?

Personality disorders, in particular, such as paranoia, are diagnosed by a qualified mental health specialist (psychologist or psychiatrist). Family doctors and therapists, as a rule, are not trained in this. Thus, you can first consult a family doctor and get a referral to a specialized specialist to identify the causes of the illness and treatment. The diagnosis can not be made on the basis of 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 of this organ or vascular disease can provoke paranoia.

Causes of Paranoidal Personality Disorder

There are many theories about this issue, but researchers today do not know exactly what causes paranoid disorder. Most professionals agree that the reasons can be complex:

• Interaction in early childhood with family, friends and other children;

• The person's personality and character;

• The formation of the psyche in stressful situations (psychosis);

• schizophrenia;

• Apnea (strong snoring);

• Cerebrovascular diseases of the brain;

• head injury.

There is an increased risk of transmission of this disorder to subsequent generations.

The paranoid syndrome can be caused by the abuse of alcohol and drugs, including stimulants such as methamphetamine (meth) and cocaine. The use of hallucinogenic drugs is temporary. People who do not sleep for a long period of time may experience symptoms of psychosis. Some prescription drugs, such as steroids and stimulants, can cause mental disorders.

Treatment of personality disorder

Individuals with a paranoid syndrome, treatment is often rejected. Anyone who can induce them to do so is automatically identified as a foe, plotting evil against them.

Treatment involves long-term psychotherapy with a doctor who has experience in correcting these kinds of disorders. Therapy involves regular meetings during which you can talk with a mental health counselor. The purpose of such conversations is to change the thinking and behavior of the patient. This approach has shown its effectiveness: paranoids have the opportunity to manage their illness. Medications can be prescribed to help with specific anxiety symptoms.