What Is Schizophrenia Paranoia?

Schizophrenia is a complex, severely debilitating mental illness that affects an estimated 2 million Americans. It affects men and women equally, and typically presents in people aged 18 to 35. Paranoid schizophrenia is one of five subtypes of schizophrenia. Although people with paranoid schizophrenia may function more normally than those with other types, paranoid schizophrenia is nevertheless a serious, chronic illness characterized by extreme psychosis (detachment from reality).

Causes

• Although research is ongoing, according to Real Mental Health, most experts agree that paranoid schizophrenia is caused by a combination of genetic, biological, psychological and environmental factors.

Symptoms

• The primary features (symptoms) of paranoid schizophrenia are delusions (firmly held false beliefs) and auditory hallucinations. Other symptoms may include other types of sensory hallucinations, isolation, irritability, angry outbursts, emotional numbness and suicidal behavior.

Diagnosis

• If paranoid schizophrenia is suspected, your doctor will first do a complete physical exam and order blood work to rule out all other causes for your behavior. He will then conduct a psychological exam; if the clinical signs of paranoid schizophrenia are present, the diagnosis will be confirmed.

Treatment

• Treatment for paranoid schizophrenia will involve psychotherapy and drug therapy, with acute cases requiring hospitalization. Other treatment options to consider are vocational and social skills training, family education and support groups.

Prognosis

• Today, the prognosis for paranoid schizophrenics is favorable. If you follow the instructions of your mental health professional, take your medication and vigorously pursue your therapy and skills training, you have a good chance for a happy, healthy future.