What Can A Paranoia Test Tell Us?
If you’ve ever knocked on wood, steered clear of a spooky attic, or worried about a friend talking about you behind your back, you might be familiar with the phrase:
“You’re being paranoid.”
In today’s world, casual conversations about paranoia are relatively common. This makes sense, as paranoia is a universal human experience: most of us have felt distrust or suspiciousness in response to a strange situation or encounter.
While some degree of skepticism is healthy, extreme paranoia may indicate an underlying mental health condition.
This article will explore the definitions and causes of paranoia, the usefulness of a paranoia test, and potential treatment options.
What is paranoia?
Paranoia is the fear that you’re being threatened in some way, even if you lack evidence to prove the existence of a threat. When people feel paranoid, they typically experience intense feelings and suspicious thoughts, also described as delusions.
Paranoia often involves the belief that others are out to harm or exploit you in some way, either through malicious intent or negligence. The person may also think that other people are talking about them behind their back, or feel as though they’re being watched or followed.
Is there a paranoia test?
Paranoia, being a symptom rather than a mental illness, is typically not tested for in diagnostic tests. However, your doctor may use diagnostic tests to determine if your paranoid thoughts and feelings meet the criteria for a related mental health condition. Psychological tests may be used to assess the severity of your symptoms and help determine an appropriate treatment plan.
Because paranoia is most commonly associated with schizophrenia, paranoid personality disorder, and delusional disorder, your doctor may assess your symptoms and rule out these conditions first before exploring other causes for your symptoms.
Any diagnostic tests and examinations should be performed by licensed mental health professionals in alignment with the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
Symptoms of paranoia
People experiencing paranoia may show some of the following symptoms, ranging from mild to severe:
- Intense and irrational mistrust and suspicion
- Feelings of fear, anger, and betrayal
- Hypervigilance (always looking for threats)
- Defensiveness
- Fear of being tricked
- Difficulty relaxing
- Argumentativeness
Causes of paranoia
The causes of paranoia are complicated and vary depending on your mental health and individual history. Some potential contributors to paranoia include:
Mental illness
Schizophrenia, delusional disorder, and paranoid personality disorder are all characterized by paranoia or delusions, among other symptoms. Additionally, mood disorders such as bipolar disorder can also cause paranoia.
Genetics
Paranoia – and the disorders associated with it – may be influenced by genetics. In 2018, researchers targeted a gene location common among people who experienced paranoia. Still, more research is needed to suggest a clear genetic link to paranoia.
History of abuse and neglect
Negative early experiences can lead you to believe that the world is unsafe and untrustworthy, prompting feelings of paranoia well into adulthood.
If you or a loved one is experiencing abuse, contact the Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Support is available 24/7.
If you are experiencing trauma, support is available. Please see our Get Help Now page for more resources.
Physical illness
Paranoia is also associated with physical conditions such as strokes, dementia, and hearing loss.
Substance misuse
Excessive consumption of alcohol and recreational drugs may cause paranoia, particularly in people already prone to paranoia or other mental health concerns.
If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at (800) 662-4357 to receive support and resources. Support is available 24/7.
Poor sleep
Paranoia may also make it difficult to sleep, intensifying the relationship between sleep disturbances and paranoid thoughts.
Treatments for paranoia
With a diagnosis and the support of a professional medical team, you can develop strategies and tools to cope with paranoid thoughts and feelings.
Depending on your diagnosis and mental health goals, common treatments for paranoia include:
Medication
Your doctor may prescribe medications to help manage your paranoia and any underlying mental health conditions.
Healthy coping strategies
Regardless of how you design your treatment plan, developing self-care strategies that promote your long-term recovery and well-being can be helpful. Your doctor or therapist may offer some of the following tips to help manage your symptoms:
- Maintain a diary to track patterns in paranoia, record progress, goals, and life events
- Learning relaxation techniques such as yoga, mindfulness meditation, and deep breathing exercises
- Relying on your social network, including friends and family, who can hold you accountable for your goals and offer reassurance
- Caring for your body and mind with a healthy amount of exercise, sleep, nourishing food, and time spent outdoors
Inpatient programs
In more severe cases of paranoia, a doctor may recommend an inpatient program. If you need more support for yourself or a loved one, the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers an online locator of treatment facilities for the onset of serious mental illnesses.
Therapy
A therapist can help you identify and understand your paranoid thoughts and feelings. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that can be beneficial in helping you identify and recognize your irrational thoughts, break the cycle of paranoia, and practice adopting new coping strategies.
Research indicates that many forms of online therapy, including online CBT, can be as effective as face-to-face counseling. Notably, a 2021 study of individuals with schizophrenia found that a digital CBT program significantly reduced paranoia symptoms.
Online therapy can remove barriers to treatment for those unable to connect local counseling services in person due to time constraints, finances, or other factors. You can receive treatment from your home, or wherever you have internet connection. BetterHelp is an online platform for connecting with liscensed mental health professionals, including CBT therapists.
Takeaway
How do you get tested for paranoia?
In general, paranoia is considered a symptom, not a clinical diagnosis, so there is not a specific test for diagnosing it. However, a doctor might perform tests for other mental health conditions that may include paranoia as a symptom.
Can you self-diagnose paranoia?
A person may suspect that they are experiencing paranoia, but only a professional can give an official diagnosis. Your doctor may also want to check for symptoms of paranoid personality disorder or another underlying mental illness. The diagnostic criteria for different conditions can vary, and getting an accurate diagnosis can play an important role in treatment.
How do I know if I have paranoia?
It can be normal for most people to experience mistrust from time to time. However, excessive suspicion of others may be a sign of paranoia: the belief that you are somehow under threat, even if you don’t have any evidence.
Some common signs of paranoia may include:
- Recurrent suspicions that you are being threatened
- Unjustified doubts about other people’s motives
- Finding threatening meanings in innocent remarks
- Feeling irrationally afraid all the time
People with paranoia may struggle to maintain close relationships. They may also react angrily to those who challenge their beliefs. That said, paranoia can take various forms, and the intensity of symptoms can vary.
What triggers paranoia?
It can be easy to assume that if someone is acting paranoid, schizophrenia or another mental illness is always the reason. However, paranoia can have a range of possible causes, which may include:
- Stressful events, like the loss of a job or romantic partner
- Mind-altering substances, like marijuana or LSD
- A brain injury
- Not getting enough sleep
That said, paranoia can also be a symptom of certain mental illnesses, such as:
- Personality disorders, such as paranoid personality disorder or schizotypal personality disorder
- A psychotic disorder, like schizophrenia or delusional disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Bipolar disorder
If you are experiencing symptoms of paranoia, it may be worth talking to a mental health professional to identify the cause.
How do doctors treat paranoia?
There are various treatments a doctor may recommend to treat paranoia, depending on the patient and the cause. Two of the most common are medications, like antipsychotics or antidepressants, and therapy. For more severe paranoia, a doctor might also recommend an inpatient treatment program.
Is paranoia a symptom of anxiety?
Paranoia can sometimes be a symptom of anxiety: fear or worry about future events. For example, someone with social anxiety disorder might believe people are judging them in social situations, even if this is not actually the case. Paranoia itself can also lead to feelings of anxiety.
That said, it may be worth remembering that paranoia can have other physical or mental causes besides anxiety.
Can someone tell if they have delusional paranoia?
It can be difficult for someone to tell if they are experiencing delusional paranoia. This is because delusions, by definition, are beliefs about reality that aren’t based on logic. However, this can vary from person to person. If you’re concerned you may be experiencing delusional paranoia, it may be worth talking to a doctor.
At what age does paranoia develop?
The age when paranoia develops can vary based on the cause. For example, people with paranoid personality disorder tend to start showing symptoms as teenagers or young adults. However, it is also possible to develop paranoia later in life due to trauma, a brain injury, sleep deprivation, or other causes.
- Previous Article
- Next Article