A person with schizophrenia may experience delusional thinking, including paranoid thoughts. It may not be possible for the person to distinguish between this and regular thinking.
Schizophrenia affects a person’s perception and can involve hallucinations and delusions. When these happen, it can be hard to know what is real and what is not.
“Paranoid schizophrenia” is an outdated name for a subtype of schizophrenia.
A person with schizophrenia can experience paranoia as a symptom. Paranoid delusions can cause a person to fear that others are watching them or trying to harm them. For example, a person experiencing a delusion may believe that media, such as the television or the internet, send them special messages.
These feelings and beliefs can cause severe fear and anxiety, disrupt daily life, and limit a person’s ability to participate in work and relationships, including those with family.
Before 2013, healthcare professionals considered paranoid schizophrenia a distinct type of schizophrenia.
However, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, text revision (DSM-5-TR), which provides expert guidelines,
It now classifies paranoia as a symptom, rather than a subtype, of the disorder.
Schizophrenia is a lifelong mental health condition. Symptoms often emerge between ages
It can affect a person’s:
- thought processes
- perceptions and feelings
- sleep patterns
- ability to communicate and relate to others
- ability to focus and complete tasks
Symptoms of schizophrenia can
- disordered thinking and information processing
- issues using newly learned information
- trouble focusing
- withdrawing from family, friends, and activities
- changes in body language and emotions
- a lack of motivation, interest, and enjoyment
- changes in sleep patterns
- a lack of self-care
- symptoms of psychosis, such as hallucinations and delusions
A delusion is something a person believes to be true, even when strong evidence suggests it is false. For example, a person may believe someone is planning to harm them.
A hallucination is when a person hears, sees, smells, tastes, or feels things that are not there. A
The person may also self-harm or attempt suicide, but this can happen with many conditions.
If a person experiences any of the above symptoms, they should receive immediate medical care. They can go to an urgent care clinic or emergency room for help.
Find out more about disorganized thinking, a symptom of schizophrenia.
Suicide prevention
If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:
- Ask the tough question: “Are you considering suicide?”
- Listen to the person without judgment.
- Call 911 or the local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor.
- Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
- Try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 988. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.
What does ‘paranoia’ mean, and what does it look like?
People with paranoia may experience a combination of the following:
- feeling upset, anxious, angry, and confused
- being suspicious of those around them
- believing that someone is persecuting them
- fearing that someone is following, chasing, poisoning, or otherwise plotting against them
- feeling as if someone else is controlling their thoughts and actions
- feeling as if their thoughts are disappearing or being taken away from them
Schizophrenia is a neuropsychiatric disorder. The exact causes are unclear, but they likely involve a combination of genetic factors and environmental triggers.
- Genetic: People with a family history may have a higher risk.
- Medical: These may include poor nutrition before birth and some viruses during pregnancy.
- Biological: Features of the brain’s structure or the activity of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, may contribute.
- Environmental: Stress, past trauma, and abuse may trigger symptoms in people already at risk.
Studies suggest people with schizophrenia and paranoia typically have social cognitive impairments that may develop a few years before schizophrenia symptoms appear. These symptoms
Substance use
Some recreational drugs, such as amphetamines, cocaine, cannabis, and LSD, may trigger psychosis or schizophrenia in people with a susceptibility.
Experts say substance use is more common among people with schizophrenia, but it is not clear whether the drugs trigger the disorder or whether having schizophrenia increases the likelihood of substance use to cope with symptoms.
Various substances can also interfere with treatment. Anyone concerned about the link between schizophrenia and substance use should speak with a doctor.
If a person seeks help for symptoms that may indicate schizophrenia, a doctor will consider their personal and family medical histories and physical health as well as their symptoms.
They may also request diagnostic tests, such as blood tests and imaging tests, to rule out other possible causes of the symptoms.
Diagnostic criteria
For a doctor to diagnose schizophrenia, a person must continuously have symptoms for at least 6 months. This may involve:
- delusions
- hallucinations
- disorganized speech
- social and occupational dysfunction
- highly disorganized or catatonic behavior
- emotional flatness or a lack of pleasure in everyday life
A doctor can only diagnose schizophrenia if any other health issue cannot explain these symptoms, such as drug or alcohol misuse or a mood disorder.
Overall, it can take time to reach a diagnosis.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Black and Latino people in the United States are more likely than others to receive an incorrect diagnosis of schizophrenia. This may be due to
Learn about schizoaffective disorder, which involves schizophrenia and a mood disorder.
Schizophrenia is a lifelong condition, but treatment can help relieve the symptoms. If a person stops treatment at any point, their symptoms may return.
It can take time to find the best approach. The right treatment for a person may be a combination of treatments. It depends on factors such as which symptoms are present, their severity, and the person’s age.
It helps if the person and doctor can work together to develop and modify the treatment plan, NAMI reports.
Medications
Drugs called
Drug options
- an oral second-generation antipsychotic (SGA) to reduce psychosis, such as:
- a mood stabilizer, such as lithium or divalproex sodium (Depakote)
- once SGAs are managing acute symptoms, a slow-release injection, known as a depot preparation, of aripiprazole, paliperidone (Invega), risperidone, or other drugs to manage the condition
- selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs),
such as fluvoxamine (Luvox), for depression or anxiety
What are the side effects of Abilify?
Maintenance drugs may have the same ingredients as an initial SGA, but their effects last longer because the body releases them slowly after the injection. The effects can last several weeks.
It can take time to find a suitable option. Around
If the person’s symptoms do not respond to at least two antipsychotics, a doctor may prescribe clozapine (Clozaril). This is not the first choice due to the risk of adverse effects, such as low blood cell count.
Learn more about SGAs and other antipsychotics for schizophrenia.
Psychotherapy and social support
Counseling and other therapy can help a person with schizophrenia live independently.
Some options
- vocational training therapy
- cognitive behavioral therapy
- supportive psychotherapy
- cognitive enhancement therapy
Social support can help a person find work and housing, hone their communication skills, and improve their overall well-being. This may involve a peer support group.
Caregivers and loved ones can help by learning about schizophrenia and encouraging the person to follow their treatment plan.
Complementary medicines
According to NAMI, the following options may play a role in a wider treatment plan:
- exercise
- meditation
- nutritional interventions, such as avoiding blood sugar spikes or increasing omega-3 intake
While these may help, they cannot replace traditional treatment.
It is important that people with schizophrenia discuss any complementary treatments with their doctors.
Without treatment, schizophrenia can significantly disrupt a person’s life, including their ability to work, study, and care for themselves.
Some helpful strategies include:
- following the treatment plan, including taking medications as prescribed
- bringing up any concerns about treatment with a healthcare professional
- making use of available support, which may involve friends, crisis services, and specialized healthcare facilities
- making healthy choices regarding diet, exercise, and the use of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco
- talking about the experience of schizophrenia with friends, family members, healthcare professionals, and supportive peers
Loved ones can help by:
- listening to the person without judgment
- educating themselves about schizophrenia
- learning to spot the signs of a flare-up
- understanding what to do if a flare-up happens
Here are some questions people often ask about schizophrenia-related paranoia.
What is paranoid schizophrenia like?
Experts no longer consider paranoid schizophrenia a type of schizophrenia, but paranoia can be a symptom of schizophrenia.
A person may believe people are watching, harassing, or persecuting them. This can give rise to anxiety and fear.
What triggers paranoia in a person with schizophrenia?
Paranoia is a symptom that affects some people with schizophrenia. Doctors do not know precisely what causes schizophrenia, but it probably stems from a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
It is a complex condition, but
- birthing complications
- health issues in the birthing parent during pregnancy
- a family history of psychosis
- childhood trauma
- social isolation
- living in an urban environment
- cannabis use
A person undergoing treatment for schizophrenia may experience symptoms if they stop taking medication.
What are some warning signs of schizophrenia?
The first episode of schizophrenia
- social withdrawal and depressed mood
- apparent personality changes
- unusual behavior and speech
- lack of self-care
- self-harm or suicide attempts
- extreme reactions to criticism
- calling emergency services about perceived but delusional symptoms
- getting into trouble with authorities, such as the police
How do you calm down a schizophrenic episode?
If someone is experiencing paranoia or psychosis due to schizophrenia, NAMI suggests speaking calmly, clearly, and respectfully without tolerating dangerous or inappropriate behavior. Remember that their hallucinations or delusions seem very real to them.
A person can help them get treatment or stay in treatment. If they are at risk of hurting themselves or others, a person may need to call emergency medical services.
Schizophrenia is a severe mental health condition that can involve delusions and paranoia.
A person with paranoia may fear that other people are pursuing and intending to harm them. This can have a severe impact on their safety and overall well-being.
Treatment can often help a person manage their symptoms and live a full life. It is important to receive ongoing support.