paranoia

[ par-uh-noi-uh ]

noun

1. Psychiatry. a mental disorder characterized by systematized delusions and the projection of personal conflicts, which are ascribed to the supposed hostility of others, sometimes progressing to disturbances of consciousness and aggressive acts believed to be performed in self-defense or as a mission.
2. baseless or excessive suspicion of the motives of others.

paranoia

/ ˌpærəˈnɔɪɪk; ˌpærəˈnəʊɪk; ˌpærəˈnɔɪə /

noun

1. a form of schizophrenia characterized by a slowly progressive deterioration of the personality, involving delusions and often hallucinations
2. a mental disorder characterized by any of several types of delusions, in which the personality otherwise remains relatively intact
3. informal.
   intense fear or suspicion, esp when unfounded

paranoia

1. A form of psychosis marked by delusions of persecution and of grandeur. One who suffers from paranoia is paranoid.

Notes

In popular terminology, a “paranoid” personality is characterized by suspicion and distrust of others; a tendency to look for hidden meaning behind other people's actions; argumentativeness; complaining; low tolerance for criticism; and a constant display of one's own talents, accomplishments, independence, and rationality.

Derived Forms

• paranoiac, adjectivenoun

Word History and Origins

Origin of paranoia¹

First recorded in 1805–15; from New Latin, from Greek paránoia “madness,” from paráno(os) “demented” (equivalent to para- ¹ + nous ) + -ia -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of paranoia¹

C19: via New Latin from Greek: frenzy, from paranoos distraught, from para- ¹+ noos mind

Example Sentences

But the movement seemed to be experimenting: What would happen if you took Tanton’s warnings about population and the climate and merged them with people’s fears of outsiders and paranoia about the limits of resources?

From Salon

Jared Yates Sexton is a journalist and author of the book "The Midnight Kingdom: A History of Power, Paranoia, and the Coming Crisis."

From Salon

There are also frequent accusations of coup plotting, which further fuels paranoia.

From BBC

“It was a time of incredible paranoia,” adds Watson, speaking later over the phone, about the Tudor period.

From Los Angeles Times

In her years working on Skid Row, Wong said, she saw that newly housed clients might see their symptoms of paranoia or schizophrenia subside only to suffer a new bout of depression.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• insanity
• mental disorder