paranoid schizophrenia
Noun: A subtype of schizophrenia, a chronic and severe mental disorder, characterized primarily by prominent delusions, often of persecution (paranoia) or grandeur, and auditory hallucinations. Despite these symptoms, individuals with this condition often appear coherent and may maintain a relatively normal level of functioning compared to other schizophrenia subtypes, provided they do not act on their delusional beliefs.
This is a clinical, diagnostic term used in psychiatry and psychology. It describes a specific medical condition. * The psychiatrist diagnosed the patient with paranoid schizophrenia. * Symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia can include intense, irrational suspicion and hearing critical or commanding voices. * Treatment for paranoid schizophrenia often involves antipsychotic medication and therapy.
- The term is sometimes used informally and pejoratively outside of clinical contexts to describe someone as excessively or irrationally suspicious. This usage is considered insensitive and incorrect.
- Incorrect/Offensive: "My boss is so paranoid about deadlines, it's like he has paranoid schizophrenia."
- In modern diagnostic manuals (like the DSM-5), the distinct subtypes of schizophrenia, including paranoid schizophrenia, have been de-emphasized in favor of a dimensional approach to rating symptom severity.
- Paranoid (adjective): Characterized by paranoia; experiencing irrational and persistent feelings of persecution, suspicion, and mistrust.
- He became increasingly paranoid and secretive.
- Schizophrenia (noun): The broader mental disorder characterized by disruptions in thought processes, perceptions, emotional responsiveness, and social interactions.
- Delusional disorder (noun): A related condition where a person holds a fixed, false belief (delusion) for at least one month, without the other characteristic symptoms of schizophrenia.
- Paraphrenia (an older, less common term sometimes used synonymously).
- Schizophrenia, paranoid type (an alternative phrasing).
- Persecutory delusions: A core feature of paranoid schizophrenia, involving the false belief that one is being harassed, cheated, poisoned, or conspired against.
- Grandiose delusions: Another possible feature, involving the false belief that one has exceptional power, knowledge, talent, or identity (e.g., being a famous historical figure).
- a form of schizophrenia characterized by delusions (of persecution or grandeur or jealousy); symptoms may include anger and anxiety and aloofness and doubts about gender identity; unlike other types of schizophrenia the patients are usually presentable and (if delusions are not acted on) may function in an apparently normal manner