What are the features displayed by paranoid persons?

1. Suspiciousness: People who are paranoid are very suspicious. They often think that others are discussing, spying or attempting to harm them.

2. Secretive: They tend to be secretive and guarded. They do not share personal information, even with close friends and relatives, as they do not trust other people.

3. Vigilant: As a result of their suspicious behaviour, they are always on the alert and constantly watch others. They will often arm themselves with knives or guns and will go to bed with a weapon.

4. Security conscious: They have a tendency to hide things, lock doors, close windows, tightly draw the curtains and will not allow people into their homes or rooms. They often think that their telephone is bugged and that their homes are wired by people who are spying on them.

5. Rigid behaviour: They like things to be in order and are often preoccupied with cleanliness and order.

6. Poor relationships: People who are paranoid do not have many friends. They might withdraw from people, including close family members; and have stormy relationships and come across as cantankerous as they constantly accuse others of conspiring against them.

Conditions that lead to paranoid disorder

Like all mental disorders, it is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. A number of conditions may lead to this disorder.

1. Paranoid personality: Some people have a paranoid personality disorder. They were born with these features and tend to be loners and live a reclusive life.

2. Cannabis use: Cannabis is probably one of the most common causes of paranoid behaviour among Jamaicans. Often, young people who smoke cannabis become suspicious and withdrawn. They will accuse others of plotting against them and trying to harm them. They often direct their paranoid behaviour towards people who are closest to them such as their mothers. Paranoid conditions associated with cannabis use are often associated with aggression.

3. Paranoid schizophrenia: People who have schizophrenia might also develop a paranoid condition. In addition, they may report hearing voices or seeing things that others don't see.

4. Alcohol use: Excessive alcohol use may cause some people to develop paranoid features. These individuals often accuse their spouses of cheating on them.

5. Older persons: Older people may develop paranoid conditions. This is often seen in persons who have dementia.

Can paranoid disorders be treated?

These disorders are treatable. The problem is that most people who are paranoid do not believe anything is wrong with them. They think the problems lie with other people. They certainly will not go to see a doctor and worst yet a psychiatrist. When they do go to see a doctor, very often they will not cooperate with treatment.

Can paranoid people work?

Yes, many paranoid individuals do work. However, because of their poor interpersonal skills, they do better at jobs such as accounting, librarianship, filing or working in laboratories. They are often excellent workers as they are usually meticulous, orderly and neat.

Paranoid people and the law

These individuals are constantly reporting matters to the police. They will often engage the services of lawyers as they litigate against people who they think might harm them.

Paranoid behaviour and violence

Unfortunately, some people who are paranoid may hurt or kill others. This might occur as they act in self-defence when they believe others might hurt them.

How to deal with paranoid individuals?

1. Never confront the paranoid individual as they might become very aggressive or resentful of you.

2. Seek professional advice to help you explore strategies to get them into treatment.

Dr Wendel Abel is a consultant psychiatrist and head of the Section of Psychiatry, Depart-ment Of Community Health and Psychiatry, University of the West Indies; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.