Schizophrenia With Paranoia

Schizophrenia is a chronic psychotic disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. Paranoia is one of the most commonly reported symptoms among people diagnosed with schizophrenia. According to some studies, almost 50% of individuals seeking help for a psychotic disorder experience paranoia.

Schizophrenia can cause a number of symptoms and not everyone will experience the same ones. Some people who are diagnosed with schizophrenia do not have paranoia as a symptom. 

You may have heard of “paranoid schizophrenia,” but this is no longer classified as a subtype of schizophrenia. This is because the American Psychiatric Association (APA) determined that classifying schizophrenia into different subtypes was not helpful in managing the disorder. Nevertheless, for some people who have schizophrenia, paranoia is a predominant symptom.  

Symptoms and Signs

The symptoms of schizophrenia usually start to develop during young adulthood, between ages 16 and 30. It tends to emerge slightly earlier in males than in females. Worldwide, it is estimated that around 20 million people live with schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is a progressive disorder—meaning that when it’s not treated, symptoms tend to get worse over time. Early diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia increase the chance of successful recovery.

The symptoms of schizophrenia are broadly categorized as positive symptoms, negative symptoms, or cognitive symptoms. Paranoia—also referred to as paranoid delusions—is considered a positive symptom.

Positive Symptoms

These symptoms—sometimes referred to as psychotic symptoms—are characterized by altered perceptions, including changes in vision, hearing, smell, and taste as well as abnormal thinking and disorganized behaviors.

They are called positive because they only occur as part of a mental illness or medical problem.

 Positive symptoms of schizophrenia include:

• Delusions: These are firmly held beliefs that are not supported by objective facts, and they may have features of paranoia. Other delusions may include a belief that the television, radio, or internet are broadcasting personal messages.
• Hallucinations: These are experiences of things that are not real. For example, seeing or hearing things, such as voices, that are not there. 
• Disorganized thoughts and speech: These are ways of thinking or speaking that seem odd or illogical. 

Paranoia is characterized by persecutory beliefs. Someone with paranoid delusions may fear that others are plotting to harm or control them or that others can read their minds.

Paranoia is strongly associated with low self-esteem, high levels of depression and anxiety, and the assumption that the causes of negative events will be pervasive and persistent.

It is also associated with impaired cognitive performance, including a tendency to jump to conclusions, and difficulty understanding the mental states of others. For example, people with schizophrenia who experience paranoia have a tendency to inaccurately identify neutral facial expressions as anger.

Schizophrenia is typically diagnosed during the first severe episode when an individual displays positive symptoms, such as paranoia, delusions, and hallucinations for the first time. This is also referred to as an episode of psychosis.

Negative Symptoms

These symptoms are characterized by social withdrawal, as well as difficulty functioning normally and showing emotions. They are referred to as negative because they refer to the absence of normal emotional responses or thought processes. 

Negative symptoms typically include:

• Decreased interest in, or motivation for, forming close relationships with others.
• A reduced ability to experience pleasant emotions
• A reduction in emotional expression, including talking in a monotone voice and showing no facial expressions, such as smiles or frowns

Cognitive Symptoms

Almost all patients with schizophrenia demonstrate some cognitive deficits and experience challenges in the way they think and understand the world around them. For example, someone experiencing cognitive symptoms might have difficulty processing information or trouble paying attention. 

Causes

It is not known exactly what causes schizophrenia, but a number of factors have been linked to the risk of developing the disorder.

These include:

• Genetics: Schizophrenia can run in families. However, this does not mean that if one member of a family has schizophrenia that others will necessarily have it too. 
• Environment: Factors that may increase the risk of schizophrenia include living in poverty, stressful surroundings, and exposure to viruses or nutritional problems before birth. 
• Brain structure and function: It is thought that differences in the way the brain is structured and how it works may contribute to the development of schizophrenia. 

For people who are already at risk, certain factors can trigger schizophrenia and its symptoms, including the symptom of paranoia. These factors do not cause schizophrenia but may provoke a severe episode.

Psychological stress from difficult experiences is considered a trigger of schizophrenia. These experiences include abuse (physical, sexual, or emotional), bereavement, and the end of a serious relationship. For those with paranoid delusions, going into crowded areas, such as busy streets, may also trigger paranoid thoughts.

It is known that certain drugs, though they do not directly cause schizophrenia, can increase the risk of developing the disorder. Drugs, such as THC, cocaine, and amphetamines, have been shown to lead to psychosis and can cause a relapse for those recovering from an earlier episode.

Diagnosis

A diagnosis of schizophrenia will be made clinically by a mental health practitioner using the criteria described in the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” (DSM–5).

According to DSM-5, a diagnosis of schizophrenia requires two or more of the following symptoms to be exhibited for a significant portion of time during a one-month period. At least one of the symptoms must be among the first three—delusions, hallucinations, or disorganized speech. 

The symptoms are:

• Delusions
• Hallucinations
• Disorganized speech (e.g if someone frequently derails from their train of thought or is incoherent)
• Grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior
• Diminished emotional expression or avolition, also called negative symptoms

For a diagnosis of schizophrenia, two or more symptoms must be present during a one-month period, and symptoms must also have persisted for at least six months with significant problems functioning in areas such as self-care, relationships, and/or work.

A diagnosis of schizophrenia will only be made once it has been established that symptoms are not caused by the effects of substance abuse, medication, or another medical condition. 

Treatment

Effective treatments are available for schizophrenia, and successful treatment will likely include a combination of different approaches over the long term.

As the condition is not curable, current treatments focus on managing symptoms and helping with day-to-day life.

Treatments include:

• Antipsychotic medications: These can help reduce the intensity and frequency of positive symptoms, including paranoid delusions.
• Psychosocial treatments: Treatments such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), behavioral skills training, and cognitive remediation interventions may help address negative and cognitive symptoms, which do not improve with antipsychotic medication.

Your healthcare provider will help you find the right antipsychotic medication and treatment plan for you.

Antipsychotic medication may cause side effects, so talk to your practitioner if you experience any side effects due to your medication. You should not stop taking an antipsychotic medication without talking to your medical professional first.

There is growing evidence that interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), that target factors that can make paranoid delusions worse, such as a negative family atmosphere, might also be able to improve this symptom.  

Certain factors can negatively impact your recovery. These include substance use disorders, such as illicit drug or alcohol dependence. For those affected, a plan which includes treatment for substance abuse disorder is important. 

Coping

Experiencing paranoid delusions and living with schizophrenia can be very challenging, and you may find it difficult to reach out for support. Those experiencing paranoid delusions may believe family members or friends are trying to hurt them, making it difficult to trust others and maintain relationships.

Remember that with a comprehensive treatment plan, symptoms, including challenging ones such as paranoia, can be managed. 

Self-care can support your treatment plan and help reduce anxiety, depression, and fatigue. This can help you have a better quality of life and be more active and independent.

Self-care includes:

• Eating a healthy diet
• Exercising regularly
• Getting enough sleep
• Effectively dealing with minor illnesses and conditions

Supporting a Loved One

It can be difficult to know how to support a loved one who is living with schizophrenia and experiences paranoid delusions. If your loved one is experiencing this symptom, it may be scary or confusing and you may find it challenging to help them—especially if they believe that others are trying to harm them or if they are extremely withdrawn.

It is important to understand that schizophrenia is a biological illness and that a long-term treatment plan is essential for a successful recovery. Be aware that paranoid delusions will seem very real to those experiencing them. 

You can support your loved one by encouraging them to stay in treatment, which should help them to manage their symptoms and recover sufficiently to lead a happy and healthy life. 

Educational programs and support groups can help you understand positive symptoms, including paranoia. These programs can increase your ability to cope with your loved one’s illness and strengthen your capacity to help them effectively.

The National Institute of Mental Health has information on family-based services.