Health Encyclopedia

Schizophrenia - paranoid type

Definition

Paranoid schizophrenia involves feelings of being persecuted or plotted against.

Alternative Names

Paranoid schizophrenia

Symptoms

People with paranoid schizophrenia may have over-the-top (grandiose) mistaken beliefs (delusions) about protecting themselves from the plot that they think is against them.

Other symptoms include:

Feeling tense, suspicious, guarded, and reserved
"Hearing things" (auditory hallucinations)

Paranoid schizophrenia usually does not involve the disorganized speech and behavior that is seen in other types of schizophrenia.

References

Addington D, Bouchard RH, Goldberg J, Honer B, Malla A, Norman R, Tempier R. Clinical practice guidelines: treatment of schizophrenia. Can J Psychiatry. 2005;50:7s-57s.

International early psychosis association writing group. International clinical practice guidelines for early psychosis. Br J Psychiatry. 2005;187:s120-s124.

Review Date:2/6/2008
Reviewed By:Christos Ballas, MD, Attending Psychiatrist, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) and this website do not claim the information on, or referred to by, this site is error free. This site may include links to websites of other government agencies or private groups. Our Agency and this website do not control such sites and are not responsible for their content. Reference to or links to any other group, product, service, or information does not mean our Agency or this website approves of that group, product, service, or information.

Additionally, while health information provided through this website may be a valuable resource for the public, it is not designed to offer medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medical care questions you may have.