Exploring Possible Treatments For Paranoia: A Guide
While treatments might exist for people experiencing paranoia, paranoia symptoms can be complicated to address. For most people, milieu therapy or other types of supportive strategies can help to relieve symptoms in some. However, some people may find that they are most successful in managing symptomatic experiences when multiple strategies are used.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of possibly helpful treatment options for paranoia, empowering those who live with the condition to learn more about available options and reach a higher quality of life.
The medically reviewed Encyclopedia of Mental Health suggests that paranoid personality disorder (PPD) can be among the most challenging mental health conditions to understand and treat. Understanding the differences between paranoid personality disorder and paranoia which may be present among schizophrenia patients or other populations can be a strong place to start in validating the experiences of those who live with the condition.
What is paranoia and how can it be treated?
Paranoia can be defined as the feeling of somebody or something that is pursuing you to cause you harm. It does not have to have a basis in reality and may not for some. While many people associate paranoia with schizophrenia, it is not limited to paranoid schizophrenia patients. For example, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, OCD, bipolar disorder, paranoid personality disorder, and dementia sometimes experience paranoia. Paranoid personality disorder is a bit more nuanced for many, possibly resulting in other symptoms such as:
Hypersensitivity
Possibly irrational suspicions, such as those that can occur with no underlying cause
Feelings of prolonged anger that can result in emotional or relational stability
Inability to relax
While people who live with PPD can experience other symptoms, the ones listed above are generally considered common for most. Searching for supportive strategies to treat the symptoms and experiences of those living with the disorder can result in a higher overall quality of life for many.
Below, we’ve listed a range of supportive strategies that can support those currently living with paranoia or with PPD.
Cognitive-based therapy
Cognitive therapy is considered by most to be a specific form of psychotherapy in which negative thoughts about oneself and the world might be challenged and reshaped, possibly empowering the patient to develop a more positive outlook.
The theory behind this form of therapy is that with a conscious effort to change negative thoughts to positive ones, behavior patterns can be modified—and any residual mental health issues (such as stress) can be addressed.
Cognitive therapy generally requires a strong foundation of trust between the therapist and the patient to be as effective as it can be, as the therapist may be required to challenge the patient’s paranoid thoughts over the course of treatment. If the patient does not completely trust the therapist, the patient could believe that the therapist is against them, possibly “siding” with the issues they're paranoid about. This could compromise the efficacy of the treatment.
Group therapy
Many people attend group therapy, which can be defined as a psychotherapy method in which people with the same or similar symptoms of paranoia or related mental health conditions can meet in a group session. Group therapy can also be useful for learning coping skills that have helped others in the same situation create positive change.
A possible consideration to be aware of with group therapy for those living with paranoia or PPD is that group participants might be suspicious of one another and the leading therapist. While building trust with a therapist can happen over time, building trust with a group of other individuals experiencing symptoms of paranoia can be a bit more nuanced. Patience, empathy, and understanding are generally regarded as the top three key facets of a successful group therapy program, specifically for those who live with paranoia or related conditions.
Milieu therapy
Milieu therapy, sometimes called therapeutic milieu, is generally defined as a type of psychotherapy in which the patient's environment might be controlled to prevent self-destructive behavior. This can be used on an in-patient basis, but contemporary milieu therapy can also be applied in outpatient treatment environment with some in-home visits or scheduled therapy sessions. Though there is some controversy about milieu works as a therapy because of its clinical ambiguity, a 2016 cross-site ethnographic study interviewed therapists involved in milieu therapy, finding that the practice appears to be both common and unified in its implementation.
Generally, therapeutic milieu techniques might be aimed at making sure that the patient does not become self-destructive or elicit violent behavior when they're trying to function in their day-to-day life. These techniques can help the patient to practice positive change and learn new coping skills—possibly showing them that they do not need to be in the right environment (such as in the milieu therapist’s office) to take control of this behavioral condition.
Milieu therapy which emphasizes the creation of a structured therapeutic environment, integrates individual therapy, family therapy, and behavioral therapy within a therapeutic community to support individuals in their mental health journey. It provides a safe, supportive, structured environment that encourages positive behavioral changes and personal growth, and it’s commonly used for substance use disorder (formerly known as substance “abuse” disorder).
Self-esteem support
Many mental health professionals may choose to focus on self-esteem-boosting exercises during the first six weeks of psychiatric treatment for paranoia or PPD. Boosting one’s sense of self can reduce symptoms, possibly helping make other therapies more effective. It can also help to build trust between the therapist and the patient.
Supportive psychotherapy
It can be beneficial for patients to undergo simple, supportive psychotherapy. In this type of therapy, counselors can offer support to the patient— helping them work through their symptoms or problems.
Instead of challenging paranoid delusions, the sessions can instead be focused on strategies to cope with situations that arise. This could be a good way to start receiving therapy if you’re actively experiencing paranoia symptoms, as it can allow the therapist to build a rapport with the patient. Once trust is established, it may be easier for the therapist to try other methods of support through proven psychotherapeutic techniques.
Coping skill support
For over a century, therapy (including Milieu therapy), has been generally thought to have helped people living with paranoia. This effect can be gained from the range of coping skills that those living with paranoia or PPD may gain from sessions or intervention. These skills might include relaxation routines, such as meditation or visualization, or ways to reduce stress or nervousness when paranoid thoughts arise.
The goal of learning coping and social skills for many is to function in society despite the difficulties presented by the illness. Generally, it might be a good idea for a therapist to teach coping skills in addition to any other treatments that are used.
Medications
When it comes to treatment, medications have not been proven to successfully treat PPD. Unfortunately, there's little research on this topic, reportedly because many patients are convinced that the drugs will harm them. However, some medications have shown the ability to treat multiple symptoms, while others may simply help patients cope with their symptoms by reducing conflicts, anxiety and certain behaviors. However, medications are not an appropriate course of treatment for children, which is important to note if a younger person you know is struggling. Please consult with your doctor or primary care physician about your diagnosis before considering any medication management options.
The potential of hospital admission
In many cases, outpatient clinics are sufficient for treatment. However, in more severe cases of PPD, the patient may benefit from the support that can come from hospitalization. This can be indicated when other treatments, like milieu therapy, may be deemed as ineffective or if the patient doesn’t wish to cooperate with needed treatments developed by their doctors.
Generally, hospitalization may be used as a last resort for many. Unlike in times past, hospital admissions today might be temporary and generally only last as long as the worst of the symptoms do.
Once the disorder stabilizes to a non-harmful point, the nurses might choose to release the client. However, there are some acute cases in which symptoms of paranoia may not subside. In these cases, people might benefit from admission into long-term care facilities with mental health nursing units.
Moving forward: Living well with paranoia or PPD
If you're living with paranoia symptoms or if you know someone who is, it can be helpful to seek psychiatric treatment right away. Licensed mental health professionals can help diagnose paranoia (which may lead to a dual diagnosis), possibly determining the best course of treatment for your specific health needs. Additionally, some people with paranoia may benefit from employment programs and occupational training, which can promote recovery and boost self-esteem.
How can online therapy support those living with paranoia?
If you need help with psychosis or mental health issues such as stress, PPD, anxiety disorders or paranoia, you may consider engaging in online therapy. This form of therapy can support you in reaching a higher quality of life.
Is online therapy effective?
As with any mental health disorder, seeking help can be a helpful first step toward improving your mental health and your quality of life. Many who struggle with paranoia may benefit from treatment in the form of online therapy. However, stigma can make people with paranoia less likely to ask for help, according to a quantitative and qualitative study review. As a result, online therapy may be a more appealing option.
Studies currently suggest that online counseling can improve your mental health, offering comparable results to traditional face-to-face therapy. One such study from Palo Alto University suggested that video-based cognitive behavior therapy can effectively treat depression and anxiety disorders, which are two comorbid disorders that may be associated with PPD or paranoia. According to the findings, approximately 73% of study participants self-reported that they saw an improvement in symptoms after six weeks, and the information concluded that there would be an expected “decelerated decrease in symptoms over time”.
Takeaway
What helps with paranoia?
Paranoia treatment can include a number of solutions including medication, therapeutic intervention, and, in some cases, in-patient treatment. A psychiatrist may prescribe antipsychotic or anti-anxiety medication to help alleviate some paranoid feelings and symptoms. A therapist, psychologist, or other specialist may help a person living with a mental illness that causes paranoia to develop coping strategies through options like relaxation therapy or CBT. In-patient facilities can help to monitor and consistently treat a person whose paranoia is preventing them from functioning safely in daily life.
Does paranoia go away?
Some forms of paranoia are temporary, linked to physical or mental illnesses or psychiatric disorders and, with appropriate treatment, can be resolved. That being said, many forms of paranoia are complex and linked to multiple sources, making them difficult to resolve completely. There is no one definite “cure” for paranoia, though many talking therapies and medications can help to control paranoid feelings and allow for a healthy and happy life.Why am I so paranoid all of a sudden?
A person may begin to feel paranoid suddenly if they are under significant amounts of stress, living in dangerous or unstable conditions, or if a condition such as a delusional disorder has been triggered in some way.
Why does paranoia happen?
New research suggests that we feel paranoid in large part because of two factors: our environment and our biology.
According to the research, some people are more biologically prone to certain conditions that can lead to paranoid thoughts and feelings including conditions like anxiety disorders and other mental illnesses as well as physical disabilities such as Alzheimer’s disease. This is especially true if you have a closely related family member with one of these conditions. The sudden onset of paranoia without an obvious trigger is a sign to seek treatment immediately, as it may be an indicator of an underlying condition.
This new research also notes that some people live in environments that can inspire paranoid thoughts and feelings, such as living around abusive individuals or those who live with drug abuse disorders or living in unstable conditions such as extreme poverty, natural disasters, or war. In these cases, a person’s mind and body may feel threatened so often that they begin to see threats everywhere, all the time, even if they have been removed from that environment and no threats are present.
When does paranoia become psychosis?
Ongoing paranoia can develop into psychosis if it is left untreated in some cases. This is usually because the paranoia is linked to a mental illness such as schizophrenia or certain forms of dementia. Signs of psychosis include
- Extreme paranoia
- Difficulty expressing clear logic or thinking
- Social withdrawal
- Highly unusual or unrealistic ideas and beliefs (such as finding “hidden meanings” in things, seeing things or people that aren’t there, or conviction that someone is “out to get them”)
- Strong emotional disruptions
Do I have paranoia or anxiety?
While occasional paranoid or anxious thoughts are relatively common, if these thoughts are frequent or intense, you may have a paranoid or anxious condition. These two conditions differ in a number of ways.
- Anxiety can be untargeted, or in other words, you may feel anxious without having a specific reason. Paranoia tends to be hyper-specific in its targeting; paranoid thoughts generally revolve around and fixate on a particular perceived threat.
- Anxiety tends to be a strong physical reaction with mental health symptoms while paranoia tends to be a strong mental or emotional reaction with some physical symptoms related to stress.
- Anxiety can often be treated by using talking therapies alone though it can be supported by medication. Many forms of paranoia are treated primarily with medication and supported by therapy.
It is important to note that some forms of paranoia can cause anxious symptoms and some anxiety disorders can cause paranoia, so the conditions may be linked though they are not identical.
How do I stop being paranoid and trust issues?
As with any other mental illness, paranoia should be monitored and treated by a mental health professional. These professionals can help you to spend time addressing and deconstructing your paranoid thoughts and trust issues so that you can rebuild healthy outlooks and develop strategies for coping with these thoughts in the future.What happens if paranoia is left untreated?
Left untreated, paranoia can become an all-consuming condition that affects a person’s quality of life by causing them to withdraw from their social circles and deeply distrust the world around them.
This can sometimes develop into a psychotic episode that may cause them to become detached from reality to a degree that does not allow them to care for themselves appropriately and may even lead to acts that might harm them or others.
How do you overcome suspicion?
If you feel paranoid or suspicious about a particular person, place, event, or idea, you can take some steps to overcome these thoughts.
- Lay out all of the facts of the issue at hand. Consider everything you know to be verifiably true about a situation.
- Talk with another person to get their perspective on the situation. Getting an outside opinion can help to level your perceptions with reality.
- Ask questions. Learn as much as you can about the situation.
- Piece it all together. Take all of the information you have to develop a full picture of the situation at hand.
- Admit that you may be wrong. Be willing to accept that your suspicions are unfounded.
What is an example of a paranoid delusion?
A common example of a paranoid delusion is the belief that there is a conspiracy in place to harm or control a particular person or set of people. A person might believe that their family, friends, and perhaps even their nation’s government are conspiring against them specifically to keep them from succeeding in life or accomplishing their goals.
- Previous Article
- Next Article