Talk:Paranoia

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See also... some pop-culture references
I'm by no means authoritative on the subject of what constitutes a relevant link, but I don't think the inclusion of Higurashi no Naku Koro ni in 'See also' is altogether useful. To be honest, as good a film as it may be, The Conversation may also fall foul of pop-culture incongruity. Perhaps we need a 'List of films (or indeed visual novels) that explore paranoia' that can replace any such references. Does anyone with greater experience of the structure of Wikipedia have an opinion? --Macabre Deified (talk) 23:21, 16 October 2008 (UTC)
 * OK, in the name of proactivity I'm going to go ahead and remove both links. Should that be unpopular, well, the solution is only an undo away.--Macabre Deified (talk) 23:31, 16 October 2008 (UTC)

Lol, they added a phrase from catch-22... WTF!? That's awesome. However since I do believe it's true to the point it should not be removed.. Maybe not enter it in a way where it's quoting a movie? lol. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.144.25.234 (talk) 18:37, 28 May 2012 (UTC)

There has been some vandalism
I'm not completely sure, but it seems like this wikipedia entry has undergone vandalism. Can someone confirm this? I'm new to wikipedia, I don't want to attempt to go in and fix it, nor do I know how to put up a message about vandalism. 71.213.74.184 09:37, 15 November 2007 (UTC)

You're just being paranoid. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 201.87.57.192 (talk) 17:04, 25 April 2011 (UTC)

I am much too highly opinionated to touch the text, but I have some comments that a sober person might address ... first of all the distinguishing characteristic of "paranoia" is "denial and projection", in other words a person denies that he himself feels and acts in a certain way (fearful, aggressive, angry, frustrated, or even in certain classic cases, amorous) ... the process of accusal or projection is done in such a manner that sooner or later the object actually shows the behavior he has been accused of and this then results in the subject's vindictive "revenge" wherein he may hope to carry out his original feeling but without guilt or condemnation because it is viewed as an appropriate response. I find it highly fascinating and amusing that the new DSM-V has completely dropped any references to "paranoia". Since most US politicians and all US police demonstrate such symptoms, it would be somewhat unseemly to classify them as mentally ill .. -- John Tucker 1/9/2014 — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2601:A:3280:290:C431:207:B42C:5066 (talk) 23:19, 9 January 2014 (UTC)

Individual v. Mass Paranoia
This article deals with paranoia on the individual level. Should it also include a section on mass

I personally know many well educated Brits who (over/mis-)use the word paranoid, often to convey a feeling of general unfounded worry about something mundane, for example having left the oven on. Perhaps an explanation and/or a few examples of what paranoia is NOT would be helpful. The word has somewhat lost its precise meaning in everyday parlance. --Markhadman 22:16, 27 Apr 2004 (UTC)

Is the Black Sabbath reference really necessary? Chadloder 07:35 Jan 24, 2003 (UTC)
 * yeah, imo the disambiguation is worth it (clem 19:43, 4 May 2005 (UTC))

-

Removed the paragraph below from the page. It's really well written but is rather unsubstantiated and not particularly from a NPOV.

 These symptoms are often regarded as a way for the person to explain the perceived reality. As a paranoid person percieves a discrepancy between the world and themselves (or within themselves), they "explain" it by referring to several external conspiracies. 

This seems to be a broad discription of a theory of delusion formation by Harvard Psychologist, Brendan Maher. Essentially that delusions are rationale reactions to sensory distortion or anomalous perceptions. However, it is not considered an adequate theory of delusion formation (for example, psychologist Philipa Garety has found several inferential reasoning biases in delusional patients). The reference to 'conspiracies' is redundant. As the article explains, paranoia does not necessarily require a delusional conspiracy.

When doing this, subtle non-detectable things and novel technology often takes the blame, so when the radio appeared, all paranoids started to refer to the radio as an object that exerted control over them as an explanation to their misalignment with the world.

This seems to be a description of one of the manifestations of paranoia, but is the exception rather than the rule, so is not really a good example to give in isolation, particulary it makes far too strong a general case. It is not the case that "when the radio appeared, all paranoids started to refer to the radio as an object that exerted control over them as an explanation to their misalignment with the world."

"Might it be that with enough enemies, it is impossible not to be clinically paranoid?" - rhetoric question in an encyclopedic article? (clem 19:42, 4 May 2005 (UTC))

Example
At Talk:Nerve agent you can find an interesting article written by someone who is arguably displaying symptoms of paranoia. Nixdorf 21:10, 21 September 2005 (UTC)

Culture Bound Syndromes
Paranoia appears in Culture Bound Syndromes (CBS's). There is confusion as to what should be a CBS but if you limit your view to mental events that are described as sudden dissociative or psychotic mental breaks then paranoia appears regularly.

The page linked below suggests a cause of paranoia in all mental illness.

http://visionandpsychosis.net/Psychotic_Mental_Illness_Cause.htm

and

http://visionandpsychosis.net/Culture_Bound_Syndromes.htm

L K Tucker 18:08, 14 October 2005 (UTC)

Paranoia is the outcome from visual Subliminal Distraction
Unattributed fear is observed in cases where victims left suicide notes, Mark Barton Day Trader Shooter, Atlanta 1999.

The difference in fear and paranoia is how the individual mind understands then applies its understanding of visual Subliminal Distraction.

This happens at a level in the mind below thought, reason, and consciousness.

This is too long for this talk section. It is developing theory.

L K Tucker 04:17, 17 November 2005 (UTC)

Start by performing the psychology demonstration at:

http://VisionAndPsychosis.Net

maxim
From the article:


 * The maxim: Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean that they aren't out to get you.


 * (I have also heard it expressed as: Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean that they're not after you.)

Shouldn't it be "Just because you aren't paranoid doesn't mean that they aren't out to get you"? Or do I misunderstand the phrase?

I believe it to mean that Even if you are paranoid, people can still be out to get you. Because normally when you're paranoid people would be like "Oh, your being silly. People are not out to get you." but it may be possible that people are actually after you.

Does anyone know the origin of this maxim/expression? Is there a specific source that is known to have stated it first?


 * I first heard the phrase "Just because you're paranoid, Don't mean they're not after you." in a nirvana song, not sure if its the actual origin tho. Playyacardzright


 * I fully understand the phrase as is. It's saying, just because you're paranoid (assuming you know you are), doesn't mean you don't have reason to be. TheJudge310 23:29, 7 September 2007 (UTC)

Indeed, it came from the Nirvana song "territorial pissings"


 * “Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't after you.” is attributed to Joseph Heller (author of Catch-22) Jfkinyon (talk) 01:08, 12 March 2013 (UTC)


 * Regarding the quote "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't after you," being from the 1961 book Catch-22 by author Joseph Heller, I looked through an e-book version of that book and did not find that sentence. However, I did find that it is a line said by Alan Arkin, playing Capt. John Yossarian in the 1970 film, Catch-22, which may mean that the film screenwriter, Buck Henry, authored the line. Juanaquena 7 June 2013 —Preceding undated comment added 00:26, 8 June 2013 (UTC)
 * Google Books seems to suggest that the phrase was popular on posters by 1971.
 * My wife has this poster hanging on the refrigerator — it's a great poster — a little green man cowering in the corner and the caption is, "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you." (1971)
 * There's a poster on a rack in Union Station which says, 'Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not after you!'" (1976)
 * It doesn't appear any earlier than 1971 (at least not in Google's archives), so that would give weight to the idea that it comes from the film version of Catch-22 (if it's in there; I haven't seen it myself). Kraŭs (talk) 19:20, 22 September 2013 (UTC)

Image request?
How? You can't show it by a picture. Remove tag. Skinnyweed 22:56, 16 May 2006 (UTC)

Yes you can, a tin hat, a picture of a guy...squinting. -Uagehry456|TalkJordanhillVote 07:13, 29 April 2007 (UTC)

Paranoia and parasitic infections.
Question the validity of this statement.

"Other common paranoid delusions include the belief that the person has an imaginary disease or parasitic infection (delusional parasitosis); that the person is on a special quest or has been chosen by God; that the person has had thoughts inserted or removed from conscious thought; or that the person's actions are being controlled by an external force."

My research, suggests that infections, including parasitic ones can result in symptoms of paranoia. The bodies reaction to a real threat of attack on the micro level.

Look up organic infections of paranoia.

Then there is the case of prescription drugs that cause this symptom...

Levaquin side effects

--Son of Maryann Rosso and Arthur Natale Squitti 03:52, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

This is one of the worst articles in wikipedia. Please copy someones copyrighted article if you have to.

The article referenced by this wikipedia section is about how a parasite may turn OFF an innate fear in rats. It does NOT suggest that parasites may contribute to paranoia, as claimed by the wikipedia article.

---

Also, the statement mentioned at the top of this section was actually correct, but just badly worded. The bit about parasites was merely describing the fact that some people can have paranoid delusional beliefs that they are infested with parasites! aka Delusional Parasitosis or [Ekbom's Syndrome]. Buckethed (talk) 03:37, 6 March 2011 (UTC)

The introduction and definition of paranoia
No I think the definition here of paranoia is completely wrong. Paranoia is a systematic set of beliefs characterized by delusions of persecution or grandeur. What is coming up here is the drug culture definition of 'paranoia' or the street definition. I think it should be completely redone. The key word is delusion not anxiety.

raspor 23:59, 30 November 2006 (UTC)


 * Agreed. Fear or anxiety is not a necessary component of paranoia. A person in a state of mania may have delusions of grandeur (believing himself or herself to be a living incarnation of a god); this would rightly be termed paranoia.--NeantHumain 02:54, 6 May 2007 (UTC)


 * Hi there, What you describe is the Kraeplinian psychiatric definition of paranoia, and is only one part of how this term is used both clinically and non-clinically. If you have a look at some of the references (particularly the Freeman and Garety book, which has a good review of the literature) you'll notice that even in psychiatry, paranoia can refer to non-psychotic, non-delusional states and that anxiety is thought to be a key component even of clinical paranoia. - Vaughan 08:08, 6 May 2007 (UTC)


 * Yes the definition is wrong. They are defining the slang word 'paranoid'. Another reason not to take wiki too seriously. Tickclock 22:04, 29 September 2007 (UTC)

Drugs
Shouldn't there be a discussion of the drugs which are used to treat the illness? Aaron Bowen 18:05, 9 March 2007 (UTC)


 * Paranoia is a symptom rather than a psychiatric disorder per se. Treatment would be specific to schizophrenia, psychotic features of a mood disorder, paranoia associated with brain damage or intoxication, etc.--NeantHumain 02:55, 6 May 2007 (UTC)

I think the first 2 paragraphs are way off
First it says paranoia involves anxiety then it says it does not. Xavier cougat 17:09, 30 May 2007 (UTC)
 * You're being paranoid. Shtove (talk) 02:29, 7 August 2020 (UTC)

question
Can excessive regurgitation cause paranoia?

What are the symptoms of paranoia?

Causes of paranoia
Here is the text: "The most recent scientific research suggests that parasites, in particular toxoplasma, which forms cysts in the brain, an area of the brain called the amygdala, a region linked to fear and anxiety in rats, may provide us with clues as to how specific parasites manipulate behavior and may cause mental disease, including signs of paranoia. "

This statement is not backed up by the study. This study simply does not provide an explanation for paranoia in humans. Absentis 20:09, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
 * Equating paranoia with anxiety or excessive anxiety or phobias or whatever the article seems to be doing is incorrect. -- Mattisse 19:17, 29 September 2007 (UTC)

Surely there must be studies that at least suggest potential causes. Perhaps someone can find some of them and add a section on that to the article?50.130.11.182 (talk) 06:53, 20 January 2014 (UTC)

You're non paranoid if they're really after you.
--RucasHost 16:44, 16 September 2007 (UTC) But they can still be after you when your paranoid. Just another threat you're not aware of. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 79.179.16.156 (talk) 06:47, 22 April 2016 (UTC)

Sarah Williams Winchester?
Weren't the behaviors of Sarah Williams Winchester, the lady who constructed what is today Winchester Mistery House in San Jose CA, symptoms of paranoia? or symptoms of schizophrenia? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.128.111.53 (talk) 05:00, 19 February 2009 (UTC)

I think paranoid should redirect here
Instead of to paranoia (disambiguation). If no one replies to this (or replies saying this should be done), I'm going to change the redirect in about a week. That's all. I'm posting here because the talk page for paranoia (disambiguation) doesn't seem to be used much.

7h3 0N3 7h3 \/4Nl)4L5 Pl-l34R ( t  /  c ) 02:33, 9 June 2009 (UTC)


 * I agree. Do it.  Earlypsychosis (talk) 10:27, 9 June 2009 (UTC)
 * althought the terminology on the disambiguation page is odd Paranoia is a mental illness involving delusional fear for oneself Earlypsychosis (talk) 10:30, 9 June 2009 (UTC)

all done Earlypsychosis (talk) 08:07, 11 June 2009 (UTC)

Different Viewpoints
The paranoia of walruses is very common. Getting to close cause too many stimuli in the walruses brain to be stimulated and in turn cause a seizure. Some people are careless and continue to stalk this great animal but we should just stop now. Save the walri!

This is more a disorder of thought form, rather than content, though? Buckethed (talk) 03:39, 6 March 2011 (UTC)

Load of crap in this article
The History of paranoia is quite good and that is about it. Just about the only use of paranoia in psychiatry is paranoid schizophrenia and paranoid personality disorder but neither are even mentioned here. Delusional disorders may involve paranoia but the stuff here is not useful such as delusional parasitosis. --Penbat (talk) 21:14, 17 November 2009 (UTC)


 * I agreed. Removed the unverified section on paranoia vs phobia Earlypsychosis (talk) 08:51, 5 April 2010 (UTC)
 * it was me who put that section in. I had since removed the loads of crap i was referring to.I think it is non controversial and important but needs flagging for citation required. --Penbat (talk) 09:41, 5 April 2010 (UTC)
 * oh ! sorry about that. I couldnt make sense of it at all.  I cant think of any link between paranoid thinking and anxiety.  I'll sleep on it and think of any source that might come to mind.  Cheers Earlypsychosis (talk) 10:27, 5 April 2010 (UTC)

Sterling Romo
I removed some nonsensical instances of "Sterling Romo" in the article. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.200.139.83 (talk) 05:06, 12 September 2011 (UTC)

Is there a treatment for this
Non drug related please and is effective — Preceding unsigned comment added by 174.67.223.26 (talk) 18:08, 23 June 2012 (UTC)

Add Catagory
Hey. Can someone make a catagory with ways of calming a paraniod person? Would be a geat help as some of my comrades get paranoid and i dont know how to calm them or help them. Would someone be willing to add the catagory? (Mudak568 (talk) 12:03, 3 January 2014 (UTC)) Mudak568 (talk) 12:03, 3 January 2014 (UTC)
 * First of all, I'm not sure this is that kind of site. Second, the answer to that seems pretty simple.  Just treat people with respect and empathy. Don't reject or dismiss their feelings, but try to understand them and be there for them...  Not just people who are paranoid, but all people.  The world could use more of this.50.130.11.182 (talk) 06:59, 20 January 2014 (UTC)

Let the Schizophrenic explain paranoia
It seems you all are putting your opinions without believing that the schizophrenic has the authority on paranoia. Believing that life is without mystery and that no one is hampering with our lives is illogical and blind and suspicious. I would like to put examples of paranoia which would be hard to say is delusional because as a schizophrenic, I am an authority. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Ronald Arjune (talk • contribs) 00:00, 31 October 2015 (UTC). I think that paranoia is necessary to understand what unseen operations are going on in society that is directly influencing society. With this conviction I try to apply my paranoia to develop some sense of explanation to uncover the unknown. For instance I believe you have to treat everyone with humility because they are possessed by aliens who are trying to resolve the same problem that I am trying to grasp. Here is a paranoid example that I have reasoned: They (truth) are using silence of the flesh with movement to program and control the manmade material world with physical contact. Another example is this: During my anxiety attack they are avoiding a difference of feeling that would manifest evidence as they communicate so the spirit (IT) will remain unknown and unseen and illusive to my mind since they can monitor my mind and want to remain undetected. They are removing complementary associations of mind and physical so we will not be able to make sense of what they are doing in this world since we will not be able to apply our understanding with a lack of association. A mirror image such as using a mirror to see ourselves may be the way they are hidden as with its reflection as an inverse association. Maybe because intelligence does not show the emotion is why we cannot understand. Ronald Arjune 19:37, 1 August 2016 (UTC)

Proposed merge with Paranoid social cognition
This article deals mostly with paranoia itself, not paranoid social cognition. Λeternus (talk) 09:40, 9 March 2015 (UTC)
 * Agree and ✅ Klbrain (talk) 05:23, 24 September 2017 (UTC)

About the blame
In the opening paragraph it reads "Paranoid thinking typically includes persecutory, or beliefs of conspiracy concerning a perceived threat towards oneself (e.g. "Everyone is out to get me"). Paranoia is distinct from phobias, which also involve irrational fear, but usually no blame."

Could you please specify if the patients blame themselves, other people or even other objects?

Thanks. — Preceding unsigned comment added by George Rodney Maruri Game (talk • contribs) 20:35, 20 November 2015 (UTC)


 * There is a sense of blame but as to the source to blame, I cannot classify it. It is probable that the mentally ill cannot distinguish a difference of animate and inanimate feeling from between the living and the non-living and that may be why an obvious blame cannot be fathomed because a certain identification is necessary for blame. There is an intermediate connection of blame but not a sure 100% blame directed on themselves, people, or other objects that is connected to a sense of persecution. This harm to the psyche is possibly due to a supernatural source such as a Devil or a God or Lucifer and there is no verification to this in reality. I guess you can cite me as a reference because I am a paranoid schizophrenic and you may want to add some of this data to the article page because I am not confident to do it myself. Ronald Arjune 19:43, 30 November 2015 (UTC)

About 'Mechanisms'
The 'Mechanisms' part is badly written, filled with unverifiable claims and ambiguous correlation. Several studies are sourced, yet no actual mechanisms are described. The 'Motivational Factors' is by far the worst, with the first part being completely made up of 'stand-up theorycraft', unrelated to the subject, and 'Motivational Factors' even. The last two statements seem to be used as justifications for the first part, but they're simply unrelated.

Will be removing the 'Mechanisms' section. --Internet.tuig (talk) 15:14, 12 May 2018 (UTC)