Psychosis & Psychotic Disorders / Question
Published: December 5, 1999
Dear TeenHealthFX,
What causes paranoia and what are the symptoms?
Signed: Info on Paranoia
Dear Info on Paranoia,
Paranoia is a distrust, dislike and suspiciousness of others. Often, others motives are interpreted as bad by a paranoid person.
At times most of us have experienced occasional paranoid thoughts; however, chronic paranoid thoughts are symptoms of a mental illness. Mental illnesses is a combination of inherited biological factors and the influences of environmental stress. Research is clear that drug use can cause paranoid thinking. Even smoking marijuana once can cause these symptoms and chronic use of marijuana or other drugs may lead to long term paranoia.
Examples of paranoid thoughts are:
- Suspicions that people and organizations such as the police or government are trying to harm, hurt, or cheat him/her
- Preoccupation about the loyalty of family, friends and acquaintances
- Not trusting other people to talk to and confide in because of a fear that the information will be used against him/her
- Reading deeply into normal ideas and thinking that there is a threatening meanings behind the remarks
- Bearing grudges and being unforgiving of others jokes or insults
- Believing people are trying to attack his/her reputation and often reacting with hostility or anger
- Having unjustified suspicions that spouse or boyfriend/girlfriend is being true and loyal to them
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, believe you are out of control with any your feelings or people are telling you that you are out of control with your thoughts and feelings, please seek help from your parents, doctor, school counselor or nurse. Be honest with the adult you speak to about this and let them know if you are involved with drugs. They can refer you to a counselor or a psychiatrist who can help you to understand your feelings.
If you feel like you are in immediate danger of hurting yourself or someone else and live in Northern New Jersey, please call Atlantic Behavioral Health's 24-hour CRISIS HOTLINE at (973) 540.0100. If you live outside of Northern New Jersey and feel like you are in danger of hurting yourself or others, please call 911.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
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