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Paranoia is a persistent, irrational feeling that makes you feel that people are out to get you, or that you are the subject of attention that annoys others. This unfounded distrust of others makes it difficult for someone who is paranoid to socialize and connect closely with other people. The cause of paranoia is unclear, but genetics is thought to play a role in this. In addition, there is no absolute cure for this condition.
So, is it curable? This depends on the conditions, but it does not mean that it is impossible to do. Before we know what are the things that might heal paranoia, it's good to know the symptoms first!
Paranoid symptoms
Paranoid symptoms range from mild to severe. Actually the symptoms depend on the cause, but generally they experience the following conditions:
- Easily offended
- It's hard to trust other people
- Cannot face various criticisms
- Comments from others are considered as meaning dangerous
- Always on the defensive
- Be hostile, aggressive, and argumentative
- Unable to compromise
- Find it hard to forgive and forget
- Always thinks that other people talk badly behind their backs
- Always suspecting that other people are lying to deceive him
- Cannot confide in anyone
- Thinking that being in a relationship is difficult
- The world is a constant threat
- Feeling persecuted by the world
- Believe in unwarranted conspiracy theories
How to cure paranoia?
Although there is no absolute cure for this condition, treatment can help people manage their symptoms, leading to happier and more productive lives. Treatment depends on the type and severity of the condition, but these may include:
1. Psychotherapy
Like most other mental disorders, psychotherapy is one of the treatments. Individuals with paranoid disorders rarely seek treatment. It should come as no surprise, therefore, that there is very little research on the most effective types of treatment for this disorder.
It is possible that therapies that emphasize a simple, client-focused approach will be most effective. Establishing a relationship in a person with this disorder is more difficult than usual, so early termination (early discontinuation of therapy) is common. As therapy progresses, the patient may gradually trust the doctor. He may begin to express some of the paranoid ideas that are on his mind. The therapist must be careful to balance between the goals of therapy and the patient's thinking, so as not to raise the patient's suspicions. This is something that is difficult to maintain, even if the therapist already has a good relationship with the patient.
At a time when the patient acts on his paranoid beliefs, the therapist's loyalty and trust will begin to be questioned. Treatment should be used not as a challenge to the client, because the risk that will occur is that the client will leave therapy permanently. Since paranoid beliefs are delusional and not grounded in reality, it is futile to argue with them from a rational point of view. Challenging beliefs can also frustrate both the client and the therapist.
All physicians and mental health professionals who come into contact with a client with this disorder should be very aware of the effect being over-the-top on the client. Soft jokes don't usually bother them that much, but figurative or satirical words about client information that aren't taken directly from the client's mouth will present a lot of suspicion problems. Things in life that others would not normally think twice can easily become the focus of the client's attention with this disorder, so care should be taken in discussion with the client.
2. Medicines
Medicines are usually contraindicated for this disorder, because they can raise unnecessary suspicion, which will usually lead to non-compliance and discontinuation of therapy. Medicines prescribed for certain conditions must be taken immediately for a short period of time to control the condition.
Anti-anxiety agents, such as diazepam, are medications that can be given by prescription if the client is suffering from acute anxiety or agitation that has interfered with normal daily functioning. Anti-psychotic drugs, such as thioridazine or haloperidol, may be given if the patient has severe agitation or delusional thoughts that may cause the patient to hurt himself or otherwise harm others.
