{"id":2874,"date":"2020-07-24T14:23:27","date_gmt":"2020-07-24T13:23:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/?page_id=2874"},"modified":"2025-12-18T15:13:54","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T14:13:54","slug":"delusions-vs-paranoia-is-there-a-difference","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/delusions-vs-paranoia-is-there-a-difference\/","title":{"rendered":"Delusions vs paranoia: Is there a difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-inpage-nav-rea-inpage-nav-block rea-inpage-nav-block front has-margin\"><div class=\"rea-inpage-nav-block__image\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/preprod-schizophrenia-life.amarone.hu\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/wooden.png)\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"inpage-nav-background\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/preprod-schizophrenia-life.amarone.hu\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/wooden.png\"><\/div><div class=\"rea-inpage-nav-block__content\"><div class=\"rea-inpage-nav-block__content--wrapper\"><div class=\"text-wrapper\"><h2 class=\"inpage-nav-title\">Delusions and paranoia:\u00a0<br>Is there a difference?<\/h2><ul class=\"inpage-nav-list\"><\/ul><\/div><div class=\"section-nav\"><h4 class=\"section-nav--title\">In this section<\/h4><div class=\"section-nav--nav-items js-inpage-nav-items\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-paragraph-rea-paragraph-block rea-paragraph-block front\"><div class=\"rea-paragraph-block__content\"><p class=\"content-text\">Paranoia and delusions are terms that are used in psychiatry, and the two are often intertwined in mental health illnesses. Paranoid thoughts and delusions can occur in various psychiatric diseases, including schizophrenia and mania, but also depression, substance abuse or dementia. Schizophrenia is commonly associated with delusions and paranoia. In fact, the most common form of schizophrenia is called paranoid schizophrenia<sup>1<\/sup>, and delusions are common symptoms of schizophrenia<sup>1<\/sup>.<br>\u00a0<br>In common speech these two terms are often used as synonyms. Many users are not entirely clear about their respective definitions, but both terms are often used, especially to express anger about the other person\u2019s behaviour: \u201cYou are totally delusional!\u201d or \u201cThat\u2019s totally paranoid of you!\u201d But what do these two terms really mean? And what is the difference between them?<br><br><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-title-rea-title-block rea-title-block front\"><div class=\"rea-title-block__content\"><h3 id=\"strongdelusionsstrong\" class=\"content-title \"><strong>DELUSIONS<\/strong><\/h3><h4 class=\"content-subtitle rea-hidden\"><\/h4><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-paragraph-rea-paragraph-block rea-paragraph-block front\"><div class=\"rea-paragraph-block__content\"><p class=\"content-text\">Delusions can be defined as \u201cfixed beliefs that are not amenable to change in light of conflicting evidence<sup>2<\/sup>.\u201d\u00a0 In other words, a person with delusions is not willing to change a belief that they have about something, even if there is evidence that his\/her belief is completely wrong and unfounded.\u00a0 Here are some examples<sup>2<\/sup> of the different types of delusions to make this clearer:<br>\u00a0<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-list-rea-list-block rea-list-block front\"><div class=\"rea-list-block__wrapper\"><div class=\"list-unordered list\">\n            <p>Persecutory delusions (most common), also known as paranoid delusions<\/p>\n            <div class=\"rea-list-block__wrapper\" style=\"margin: -1em 7.27% -1em 3.27%\">\n                <div class=\"list-unordered list\">\n                    <p style=\"list-style: circle\">belief that one is going to be harmed and\/or harassed by an individual, organization or other group<\/p>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <p>Referential (also common)<\/p>\n            <div class=\"rea-list-block__wrapper\" style=\"margin: -1em 7.27% -1em 3.27%\">\n                <div class=\"list-unordered list\">\n                    <p style=\"list-style: circle\">belief that certain comments, gestures, environmental cues, etc. are directed at oneself<\/p>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <p>Somatic<\/p>\n            <div class=\"rea-list-block__wrapper\" style=\"margin: -1em 7.27% -1em 3.27%\">\n                <div class=\"list-unordered list\">\n                    <p style=\"list-style: circle\">focus on preoccupations about health and organ functions<\/p>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <p>Grandiose<\/p>\n            <div class=\"rea-list-block__wrapper\" style=\"margin: -1em 7.27% -1em 3.27%\">\n                <div class=\"list-unordered list\">\n                    <p style=\"list-style: circle\">belief that one has fame, wealth, exceptional abilities<\/p>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <p>Erotomanic<\/p>\n            <div class=\"rea-list-block__wrapper\" style=\"margin: -1em 7.27% -1em 3.27%\">\n                <div class=\"list-unordered list\">\n                    <p style=\"list-style: circle\">the individual believes that another person is in love with him\/her<\/p>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <p>Nihilistic<\/p>\n            <div class=\"rea-list-block__wrapper\" style=\"margin: -1em 7.27% -1em 3.27%\">\n                <div class=\"list-unordered list\">\n                    <p style=\"list-style: circle\">the individual is convinced that a major catastrophe will happen<\/p>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-paragraph-rea-paragraph-block rea-paragraph-block front\"><div class=\"rea-paragraph-block__content\"><p class=\"content-text\"><br><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-illustration-rea-illustration-block rea-illustration-block front\"><img class=\"illustration-bg\" alt=\"\"><div class=\"rea-illustration-block__content\"><div class=\"rea-illustration-block__image image-wrapper\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/LR002-Inside-article-image.jpg\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"illustration center\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/LR002-Inside-article-image.jpg\" style=\"max-width: 80%\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"rea-mobile illustration-mobile\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/LR002-Inside-article-image.jpg\"><\/a><\/div><p class=\"rea-site__caption caption-text align-center\"><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-paragraph-rea-paragraph-block rea-paragraph-block front\"><div class=\"rea-paragraph-block__content\"><p class=\"content-text\">Delusions are considered <strong>bizarre<\/strong> \u201eif they are clearly implausible and not understandable to same-culture peers and do not derive from ordinary life experiences.\u201d<sup>2<\/sup> For example, a person who believes that an outside force has removed his\/her internal organs and replaced them with someone else\u2019s organs without leaving any wounds or scars is having a bizarre delusion.\u00a0 On the other hand, an example of a <strong>non-bizarre<\/strong> delusion is the belief that one is under surveillance by the police, despite a lack of convincing evidence.\u00a0 Delusions are usually regarded as bizarre if they express a loss of control over mind or body.\u00a0 Here are some examples<sup>2<\/sup>:<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-list-rea-list-block rea-list-block front\">\n    <div class=\"rea-list-block__wrapper\">\n        <div class=\"list-unordered list\">\n            <p>Thought withdrawal<\/p>\n            <div class=\"rea-list-block__wrapper\" style=\"margin: -1em 7.27% -1em 3.27%\">\n                <div class=\"list-unordered list\">\n                    <p style=\"list-style: circle\">belief that some outside force &#8220;removes&#8221; on&#8217;s thoughts<\/p>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <p>Thought insertion<\/p>\n            <div class=\"rea-list-block__wrapper\" style=\"margin: -1em 7.27% -1em 3.27%\">\n                <div class=\"list-unordered list\">\n                    <p style=\"list-style: circle\">belief that alien thougst have been put into one&#8217;s mind<\/p>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <p>Delusions of control<\/p>\n            <div class=\"rea-list-block__wrapper\" style=\"margin: -1em 7.27% -1em 3.27%\">\n                <div class=\"list-unordered list\">\n                    <p style=\"list-style: circle\">belief that some outside force in manipulating one&#8217;s body or actions<\/p>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-paragraph-rea-paragraph-block rea-paragraph-block front\"><div class=\"rea-paragraph-block__content\"><p class=\"content-text\"><br>It can sometimes be difficult to differentiate between a delusion and just a strongly held idea<sup>2<\/sup>.  This can depend on how strongly the belief is held, even though there is very clear\/reasonable contradictory evidence about its truth. <br><br><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-title-rea-title-block rea-title-block front\"><div class=\"rea-title-block__content\"><h3 id=\"paranoia\" class=\"content-title \">PARANOIA<\/h3><h4 class=\"content-subtitle rea-hidden\"><\/h4><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-paragraph-rea-paragraph-block rea-paragraph-block front\"><div class=\"rea-paragraph-block__content\"><p class=\"content-text\">Paranoia can be defined as \u201can unfounded or exaggerated distrust of others<sup>3<\/sup>.\u201d Paranoid individuals constantly suspect the motives of those around them, and believe that certain individuals, or people in general, are \u201cout to get them<sup>3<\/sup>.\u201d Paranoid thoughts are not unusual and can occur in all people at one point or the other in their life. Think for example walking home in the dark and a car slowly driving up next to you, or people whispering and looking at you while you walk by. In such cases it is not unusual to encounter the fear of people wanting to get you, even though nothing happens.<br>\u00a0<br>Paranoia only becomes problematic when it reaches clinical proportions, meaning delusional proportions. In such cases, as described above, the person becomes inflexible to accepting clear evidence that is contrary to their fixed belief. Then paranoia grows into persecutory\/paranoid delusion in which someone feels like another person or a group\/organization is out the get them<sup>1<\/sup>. Other delusions such as nihilistic beliefs, thought withdrawal, thought insertion, delusions of control may also worsen the paranoia and therefore the persecutory delusion. Further, hallucinations, which are \u201csensory impressions (sight, touch, sound, smell, or taste) that have no basis in external stimulation<sup>1<\/sup>\u201d can also lead to paranoid delusions.\u00a0 The person experiences and believes\/feels that the hallucinations are real and can become fearful\/paranoid if these hallucinations are believed to come from hostile people.<br><br><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-title-rea-title-block rea-title-block front\"><div class=\"rea-title-block__content\"><h3 id=\"conclusions\" class=\"content-title \">CONCLUSIONS<\/h3><h4 class=\"content-subtitle rea-hidden\"><\/h4><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-paragraph-rea-paragraph-block rea-paragraph-block front\"><div class=\"rea-paragraph-block__content\"><p class=\"content-text\">In summary, delusions and paranoia can be closely linked to each other. Put simply, paranoia is the unfounded or exaggerated fear of others, which can become delusional if this fear cannot be changed even in the light of strong evidence, in which case it grows into a paranoid delusion. Therefore paranoia (if severe) can be considered one type of delusion, while delusions are a bigger group. Delusions may appear with no signs of paranoia, and the reverse is also true.\u00a0 Both delusions and paranoia can differ in severity, and when severe, they can lead to debilitating mental illnesses.\u00a0<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-references-rea-references-block rea-references-block front\"><div class=\"rea-references-block__references\"><p class=\"references-title\">References<\/p><ol class=\"references-list\"><li>WHO. <em>ICD-10 Version: 2019<\/em>. (2019).<\/li><li>DSM V.  <em>American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association, 2013.<\/em> (2013).<\/li><li>The Free Dictionary by Farlex. <a href=\"https:\/\/medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">https:\/\/medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com\/<\/a>.<\/li><\/ol><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-title-rea-title-block rea-title-block front rea-share-block\" style=\"margin-bottom:30px;text-align:center;\">\n\t\t<div class=\"\">\n\t\t\t<span style=\"display:block;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:20px;\">Share<\/span>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2874\" class=\"facebook-share\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&#038;url=https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2874\" class=\"linkedin-share\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Thought withdrawal belief that some outside force &#8220;removes&#8221; on&#8217;s thoughts Thought insertion belief that alien thougst have been put into one&#8217;s mind Delusions of control belief that some outside force in manipulating one&#8217;s body or actions Share<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2884,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-fullwidth.php","meta":{"rea_page_title_signed_in_meta_block_field":"DELUSIONS AND PARANOIA: IS THERE A DIFFERENCE?","rea_page_title_signed_out_meta_block_field":"DELUSIONS AND PARANOIA: IS THERE A DIFFERENCE?","rea_page_description_signed_in_meta_block_field":"Paranoia and delusions are terms that are used in psychiatry, and the two are often intertwined in mental health illnesses.","rea_page_description_signed_out_meta_block_field":"Paranoia and delusions are terms that are used in psychiatry, and the two are often intertwined in mental health illnesses.","rea_page_footer_id_meta_block_field":"","rea_page_footer_date_meta_block_field":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2874","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2874","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2874"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2874\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2885,"href":"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2874\/revisions\/2885"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2884"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2874"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}