Josh Brotheim
Keiser University
First off, what is paranoid schizophrenia? According to Coon and Mitterer, (2010) paranoid schizophrenia is schizophrenia marked by a preoccupation with delusions or by frequent auditory hallucinations related to a single theme, especially grandeur or prosecution. In simple terms, the patients with this disease have false beliefs (delusions) that somebody or some people are plotting against them or members of their family. They hear things that are not real, or have delusions of personal grandeur- a false belief that they are much greater and more powerful and influential than they really are. (MNT, 2010) The disease was first identified as a discrete illness by Dr. Emile Kraepelin in 1887 and the illness itself is generally believed to have accompanied mankind throughout its history. (Schizophrenia, 2010) There are three things to know about paranoid schizophrenia: what the signs and symptoms are, the types of different treatments, and how people with this disease can have a threatening effect on society. Since paranoid schizophrenia affects so many people worldwide, it is very important to know the early signs and symptoms associated with it. Signs and symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia sometimes vary from person to person, but all the patients have the majority of these symptoms. They suffer from paranoid delusions or false personal beliefs that are not subject to reason or contradictory evidence. (MNT, 2010) A patient with paranoid schizophrenia will usually suffer from periods of high anxiety. They may have anger that may range from mild irritation, to fury and rage. The patients may suffer physical or emotional detachment. Aggression may reach levels in which violent outbursts occur. (MNT, 2010). Violent behavior sometimes occurs with paranoid schizophrenics. Often this violence is interoperated by the patient as self-defense as he believes others want to do him harm; or may become