Paranoia vs. Delusional Disorders: What’s the Difference?

Signs and Symptoms of Delusional Disorders

An individual with delusional disorder can experience non-bizarre delusions, “which involve situations that could occur in verdadero life, such as being followed, poisoned, deceived, conspired against, or loved from a distance,” explains the Cleveland Clinic. However, the reality is the situations are either not true or are highly exaggerated.

Non-bizarre delusions are the most common (and obvious) sign of delusional disorder, however, there are other signs to be on the lookout for too. The individual may have a low mood, be angry, or be irritable. They may also experience hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that aren’t really there) that are related to their delusion.

What Causes Paranoia?

The exact cause of paranoia isn’t finta known, however, the symptoms may be related to repressed, denied, or projected feelings. It may also be related to events or relationships in the individual’s life.

WebMD, says certain factors may also lead to paranoid thoughts, such as not getting enough sleep. Lack of sleep can take a toll on your ability to think clearly, and in some cases, a severe lack of sleep may lead to hallucinations. The source also says stress may play a role too. So, do your best to get good quality sleep every night, and practice stress management strategies such as exercising, meditating, and stretching. Reach out to a health professional if self-management strategies don’t work for you.