Paranoia 'Can be Difficult to Treat'
Treatment of paranoia can in fact be very difficult because individuals may not accept that there is anything wrong, an expert has warned.
Alison Kerry, a spokesperson for UK mental health charity Mind, said that, depending on the extent of the condition, individuals may not believe that they have anything wrong with them.
She noted that paranoia is being suspicious without reason and believing that other people are trying to do harm unto someone.
In extreme cases, individuals are unable to distinguish fantasy and reality, she added, noting that this can cause a variety of problems.
"Living with or being friends with a paranoid person can be exceedingly distressing," Ms Kerry said, adding that those individuals closes to people suffering from paranoia should not suffer in silence and should ask others for help.
Speaking to a doctor about such situations may also help, as they may be able to provide information on medication or counselling services.
Research from Mental Health Care found that in a survey of 1,202 students, between ten and 20 per cent had paranoid thoughts that they firmly believed and which caused them real distress. The research also found that not talking about such ideas could exacerbate problems.
