PARANOID THOUGHTS - Page 1

PART 1 PERHAPS THIS EXPLAINS QUITE A LOT OF THE COMMENTS ON THIS BOARD Paranoid thoughts common in people with no mental illness Many people with psychosis or schizophrenia experience paranoid thoughts. A survey-based study conducted at the Institute of Psychiatry has shown that suspicious thoughts are a regular experience for many people. The results of the survey suggest that information about the milder paranoid thoughts experienced by people with no diagnosed mental health problems could provide crucial information about the more severe form of paranoia that affects people experiencing psychosis and schizophrenia. Dr Daniel Freeman and colleagues from the Department of Psychology undertook a unique survey of the frequency with which the general population experience suspicious thoughts, and some of the emotional effects of the experience. University students were sent an email requesting that they visit a website to complete questionnaires about paranoia. 1202 students at three UK universities participated in the study. A ‘paranoia checklist’ questionnaire of 18 thoughts was used, ranging from mild, social suspicions, such as ‘there might be negative comments being circulated about me’, to more severe, less plausible thoughts, such as ‘I can detect coded messages about myself in the press/TV/radio.’ The questionnaires were designed to measure the following: The frequency with which the participants experienced suspicious thoughts. The levels of conviction with which these beliefs were held and the distress caused by each thought. The coping strategies used by participants to deal with their suspicious thoughts. The attitudes of participants towards expressing their emotions to other people. The social confidence of those taking part. The results indicate that suspicious thoughts are a weekly experience for many people. For example, 30-40% of participants had ideas that negative comments were being circulated about them. 10-20% of those who took part in the survey had paranoid thoughts that they firmly believed and which caused them significant distress. This suggests that there is a significant group of people in the population who suffer distress as a result of paranoid thoughts but do not seek treatment from mental health services. The authors believe that this may be because many people feel uncomfortable talking about suspicious thoughts and fear being thought of as ‘paranoid’, a term which has stigma attached to it.

PART TWO Paranoid thoughts common in people with no mental illness According to the survey people with frequent and distressing paranoid thoughts tend to deal with them by isolating themselves, giving up activities and feeling powerless or depressed. These so called coping strategies have been shown to be less effective than other strategies in reducing the distress caused by such thoughts. People with less severe paranoid thoughts, however, tended to cope with their suspicious thoughts by keeping things in proportion (known as ‘not catastrophising’), and by keeping enough distance from their thoughts to see them in an unemotional way. These techniques have been shown to be more effective than those used by people with more severe paranoid thoughts. It is not clear from this survey whether using a less effective coping method causes more paranoid thoughts or whether the paranoid thoughts make people more likely to use less effective coping methods. The authors also found evidence that not talking to other people about suspicious and paranoid ideas can lead to a greater number of such thoughts. In addition people with low self-confidence are more likely to suffer suspicious and paranoid thoughts. The researchers believe that low self-confidence can produce feelings of being vulnerable to some form of attack and so lead to feelings of suspicion. The researchers call for treatments for paranoia to take into account the findings of this survey. Firstly mental health professionals should accept that paranoia is a very common experience. Secondly people dealing with paranoid thoughts should be encouraged to talk about their experiences. Efforts should be made to improve the self-esteem of people with paranoid ideas, and they should be encouraged to feel in control of their situation. All of these techniques are used in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, a psychological treatment that is increasingly being used to treat psychosis and schizophrenia, conditions that often involve paranoid thoughts. Daniel Freeman has written a book about Paranoid Thoughts, giving practical advice on how to tackle paranoid thinking. More information about the book and paranoid thoughts can be found at the Paranoid Thoughts.com web site.

Hey David you might like this movie clip... http://www.thekidfrombrooklyn.com/video_disp.asp?videoid=1289

VIDEX AND!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU DO SEEM TO NO ALOT ABOUT THIS SUBJECT WERE THESE PAPERS FROM YOUR PERSONAL FILE LOL BRITTANY VERY GOOD SAY'S IT ALL

Thank you Brittany I couldn't have put it better myself. http://www.thekidfrombrooklyn.com/video_disp.asp?videoid=1289

If I had been more suspicious I wouldn't have a purse-sized german shepherd out in my back yard right now barking nonstop like a frickin' poodle. Let's hear it for more paranoid thoughts!!! I'll most likely be putting Dana up for adoption as I don't have what it takes to misrepresent an animal. She deserves a good home with someone who will appreciate her for what she is. She's very smart and feisty with a high ball drive. Might make a good herding dog or something.

David I kind of disagree on the fallowing quote “Paranoid thoughts common in people with no mental illness” that you posted up. Paranoid thought is a mental disorder. The diagnosis of this would fallow under the category “Paranoid Personality Disorder” Here are the symptoms for Paranoid personality disorder A pervasive distrust and suspiciousness of others such that their motives are interpreted as malevolent, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by four (or more) of the following: 1. suspects, without sufficient basis, that others are exploiting, harming, or deceiving him or her 2. is preoccupied with unjustified doubts about the loyalty or trustworthiness of friends or associates 3. is reluctant to confide in others because of unwarranted fear that the information will be used maliciously against him or her 4. reads hidden demeaning or threatening meanings into benign remarks or events 5. persistently bears grudges, i.e., is unforgiving of insults, injuries, or slights 6. perceives attacks on his or her character or reputation that are not apparent to others and is quick to react angrily or to counterattack 7. has recurrent suspicions, without justification, regarding fidelity of spouse or sexual partner Does not occur exclusively during the course of Schizophrenia, a Mood Disorder with Psychotic Features, or another Psychotic Disorder and is not due to the direct physiological effects of a general medical condition. Note: If criteria are met prior to the onset of Schizophrenia, add "Premorbid," e.g., "Paranoid Personality Disorder (Premorbid)." Differential Diagnosis Delusional Disorder, Persecutory Type; Schizophrenia, Paranoid Type; Mood Disorder With Psychotic Features; Personality Change Due to a General Medical Condition; symptoms that may develop in association with chronic substance use; paranoid traits associated with the development of physical handicaps; Schizotypal Personality Disorder; Schizoid Personality Disorder; Borderline and Histrionic Personality Disorders; Avoidant Personality Disorder; Antisocial Personality Disorder; Narcissistic Personality Disorder.

brittany THANK GOD FOR A BIT OF HUMOUR BRILLANT

I use to suffer from Schizophrenia, but we worked it out.

"LOL", vhdoosek9 unsure if any got that one... LOL DJ