Paranoiac: meaning, definitions and examples
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paranoiac
[ ˌpærəˈnɔɪ.æk ]
mental state
Paranoiac refers to a condition characterized by intense and irrational mistrust or suspicion of others. Individuals exhibiting this state may feel persecuted or conspired against, leading to a distorted perception of reality. This term is often used in psychological contexts to describe symptoms associated with paranoia or paranoid personality disorder. The behavior associated with being paranoiac can significantly impact personal relationships and social interactions.
Synonyms
distrustful, paranoid, suspicious.
Examples of usage
- His paranoiac thoughts made it hard for him to trust anyone.
- She had a paranoiac reaction to the criticisms.
- Paranoiac feelings can often lead to isolation.
Translations
Translations of the word "paranoiac" in other languages:
🇵🇹 paranoico
🇮🇳 पैरानोइक
🇩🇪 paranoisch
🇮🇩 paranoia
🇺🇦 параноїдний
🇵🇱 paranoidalny
🇯🇵 偏執的
🇫🇷 paranoïaque
🇪🇸 paranoico
🇹🇷 paranoid
🇰🇷 편집증의
🇸🇦 بارانويد
🇨🇿 paranoický
🇸🇰 paranoidný
🇨🇳 偏执的
🇸🇮 paranoičen
🇮🇸 paranoískar
🇰🇿 параноидтық
🇬🇪 პარანოიდული
🇦🇿 paranoid
🇲🇽 paranoico
Etymology
The term 'paranoiac' originates from the Greek word 'paranoia', which is a combination of 'para' meaning 'beside' or 'beyond', and 'noos' meaning 'mind'. It was first used in a medical context in the 19th century to describe symptoms of mental illnesses associated with irrational beliefs and distorted perceptions of reality. Over time, 'paranoiac' has evolved in its usage, generally referring to individuals displaying extreme skepticism or mistrust towards the motives of others. The rise of psychology as a discipline further popularized this term, linking it closely to various mental health disorders. Today, the notion of paranoia spans across various fields including medicine, literature, and everyday social discourse, reflecting the complexities of human trust and interpersonal relationships.