MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Schizophrenia

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Schizophrenia - paranoid type

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Illustrations Alternative names	Definition

Illustrations

Paranoid schizophrenia

Alternative names Return to top

Paranoid schizophrenia

Definition Return to top

In this type of schizophrenia, the individual has feelings of being persecuted or plotted against. Affected individuals may have grandiose (over-the-top) delusions associated with protecting themselves from the perceived plot.

The key symptoms are delusions and/or auditory hallucinations. Paranoid schizophrenia usually does not involve the disorganized speech and behavior that is seen in other types of schizophrenia. Patients with paranoid schizophrenia typically are tense, suspicious, guarded, and reserved.

Update Date: 5/4/2004

Updated by: Ram Chandran Kalyanam, M.D., Department of Psychiatry, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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