Paranoia - Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which doctor should I consult to rule out paranoia?

A: You should consult a psychiatrist.

Q: Is paranoia a debilitating condition?

A: Yes, paranoia can be a debilitating condition for some patients as they become afraid to step out of their homes.

Q: Is depression a predictor of paranoia?

A: Yes, depression along with anxiety has been shown to be a risk factor for paranoia.

Q: What is the frequency of paranoid thoughts?

A: Paranoid thoughts occur at a rate of 10% to 15% in the population; however, only 1% to 2% of the population is diagnosed with the symptom.

Q: What is the incidence of paranoid personality disorder?

A: Paranoid personality disorder occurs at a frequency of 0.5% to 2.5% in the population.

Q: What are the conditions that trigger persecutory delusions?

A: Epilepsy, post-traumatic stress disorder, mania, depression and dementia trigger persecutory delusions or paranoia in a minority of patients.