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Paranoia Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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paranoia

[ˌpær.əˈnɔɪ.ə ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

mental health

Paranoia is a mental condition characterized by delusions of persecution, unwarranted jealousy, or exaggerated self-importance. It can cause extreme anxiety and fear, leading to irrational behavior.

Synonyms

delusion, mistrust, suspicion.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
paranoia

Paranoia is typically used in situations where someone has extreme and irrational feelings of distrust or fear, often feeling that others are out to get them.

  • He suffers from paranoia and constantly thinks that everyone is plotting against him
delusion

Delusion is used to describe a false belief that someone holds despite strong evidence against it. This term is often used in psychiatric contexts.

  • Her delusion of being a famous actress led her to act erratically in public
suspicion

Suspicion is used when someone has a feeling that something is wrong or that someone is behaving in a dishonest or dangerous way, often without proof.

  • She had a suspicion that her neighbor was stealing her newspapers
mistrust

Mistrust refers to a general lack of trust or confidence in someone or something. It is usually less intense and more rational than paranoia.

  • There is a lot of mistrust between the two companies after the failed merger

Examples of usage

  • His paranoia made him believe that everyone was out to get him.
  • She suffers from paranoia and always thinks someone is following her.
Context #2 | Noun

general

Paranoia can also refer to a general distrust or suspicion of others' motives or intentions, even without a clinical diagnosis.

Synonyms

distrust, mistrust, suspicion.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
paranoia

Used when referring to an extreme and irrational fear or distrust of others, often associated with mental disorders.

  • His paranoia made it difficult for him to trust even his closest friends
  • She started to have paranoia that her coworkers were plotting against her
distrust

Appropriate when there is a general lack of trust or confidence in someone or something, often based on past experiences or evidence.

  • He has a deep distrust of politicians due to previous corruption scandals
  • There was a growing distrust between the two business partners
suspicion

Used when there is a belief or impression that something may be the case, often with an implication of wrongdoing or deceit.

  • His suspicious behavior raised her suspicion
  • The police acted on a suspicion that he was involved in the robbery
mistrust

Similar to distrust but often implies suspicion or doubt about honesty or reliability, without strong evidence.

  • She approached the deal with a sense of mistrust
  • The community had a mistrust of the new development project

Examples of usage

  • His paranoia about government surveillance led him to avoid using any electronic devices.
  • The company's culture of paranoia made employees reluctant to share information.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Paranoia can be a symptom of various mental health disorders, including schizophrenia and delusional disorder.
  • It’s often characterized by persistent and unfounded thoughts, impacting daily life and relationships significantly.
  • Research has shown that high stress and trauma can increase the likelihood of experiencing paranoid thoughts.

Pop Culture

  • Films like 'A Beautiful Mind' and 'Black Swan' depict characters facing paranoia, showcasing the struggle between reality and perception.
  • The term is often used in music, influencing lyrics and themes in songs about distrust, such as Radiohead's 'Paranoid Android'.
  • In literature, many authors have explored themes of paranoia, including Kafka's works, which highlight feelings of alienation and fear.

Science

  • Studies have found a link between environmental factors, such as social isolation, and the development of paranoid thoughts.
  • Neuroscientific research suggests that paranoia may be related to brain function variations, particularly in areas associated with threat perception.
  • Social psychology experiments have shown that people in stressful situations are more likely to develop paranoia about others' intentions.

Cultural Perspective

  • Different cultures portray paranoia in unique ways, with some viewing it as a mental disorder and others as a spiritual or supernatural phenomenon.
  • In some societies, individuals may believe that external forces or 'evil eyes' cause paranoid feelings, tying it to folklore.
  • Cultural stigma surrounding mental health can influence whether individuals seek help for paranoia, affecting treatment outcomes worldwide.

Origin of 'paranoia'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from Greek, where 'para' means 'beside' and 'noia' means 'mind', suggesting a disturbed state of mind.
  • It first appeared in English in the early 19th century, gradually used to describe irrational fears or mistrust.
  • Historically, the term was linked to specific mental health conditions, notably in the writings of early psychologists.

The word 'paranoia' originated from the Greek words 'para' (beside, beyond) and 'nous' (mind). It was first used in English in the mid-19th century to describe a mental condition characterized by extreme suspiciousness and delusions. Over time, the term has evolved to encompass a broader sense of general distrust or suspicion.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,872, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.