Paranoia is manifested by a thinking disorder in which there is a vision of conspiracies against oneself in a simple coincidence of circumstances. A person sees in all the actions of those around him an evil intent and a desire to harm him. In psychiatric practice of the century before and even the last century, it was referred to as the initial stage of paranoid psychosis.
The difference between paranoia and psychosis is the preservation of a person's sanity. Apart from obsessive ideas about the desire of others to harm him, otherwise his behavior remains virtually unchanged. The patient's paranoid thoughts are often based on the reality around him, which helps him confirm the veracity of his guesses. Therefore, it is important to stop in time and not succumb to negativity.
What kind of disease is this?
Doctors have not yet been able to identify the exact causes of the disease, despite numerous pathological studies. Today, all that is known is that it most often occurs in people suffering from degenerative diseases of the central nervous system.
The majority of patients are elderly people, but cases of paranoia are also observed at a young age, although in extremely small numbers.
The main reasons for the progression of the disease today are considered to be:
- Parkinson's disease;
- Atherosclerosis;
- Huntington's disease;
- Senile age.
intermittent paranoia is also diagnosed
- Drugs;
- Alcohol in high dosage;
- Amphetamines.
In some patients, intermittent paranoia can be caused by certain synthetic drugs, which is important for the attending physician to take into account.
Medical instruments of the past - instruments of torture or life preserver
Modern medicine is amazing. More and more procedures are painless and quick. Going to the dentist is no longer as terrifying as it was, say, three decades ago. Today doctors can even defeat cancer. And recently, American scientists announced the second case of a complete cure for AIDS...
Medicine is moving forward with confident steps. Of course, much remains to be improved, but no one will argue that today progress in the field of medicine has taken a huge leap forward. Let's take a look at how medical procedures have changed over the past few centuries, and what creepy devices doctors of the past used.
Iron lung device
Before the polio vaccine was invented, patients were placed in an iron lung machine that simulated breathing.
Once inside this thing, which looked like a medieval torture device, the patient could not move for hours. He saw only his reflection in the mirror above and could only speak when the machine “exhaled.”
Sunbathing babes
Winter hypovitaminosis is a disease caused by a lack of vitamin D, which leads to weakening of bone tissue. Today, the patient is usually prescribed vitamin D complexes. In the past, this was done using artificial tanning, even applied to infants.
Plague Doctors
In the past, these terrifying plague doctors were often called upon to treat the bubonic plague. To protect themselves, they wore creepy masks with long beaks, which they filled with fragrant herbs, believing that the plague spread through “poisoned air.” Their “procedures” included flogging (because the plague was considered God’s punishment for sins) and bloodletting.
See also: Conspiracy theories: the most crazy conspiracy theories in the world
Tool for forcibly stretching the canal
You can't help but wince just by looking at this device. If a man's urethra was too narrow for normal urine flow, doctors would insert this thing into the tip of the man's penis. The nut was then turned to separate the wedges and widen the urethra. If there was blood coming from the penis, it was considered a good sign.
Guillotine for tonsillectomy
Until antibiotics were invented, sore throat and other similar diseases were a serious threat to life. To prevent patients from biting off the doctor’s finger, such a terrible guillotine was inserted into his mouth to remove the tonsils.
Artificial leech
Nothing will help a patient more than bloodletting. That's what we thought before. When the doctor did not have real leeches on hand, he used artificial ones. The rotating blades cut a wound in the patient's skin, and the cylinder provided a vacuum to suck out the blood.
Hemorrhoidal forceps
If the patient had hemorrhoids in the past, he could simply accept this diagnosis. Of course, if the case was difficult and the patient could not bear it any longer, then this “cute” tool would come to his aid. With its help, the doctor grabbed and crushed hemorrhoidal cones. And the cones inside the rectum were pulled out with a hook.
First plastic surgery
It's hard to believe, but the first plastic surgeons appeared in ancient times. Although until the 20th century, plastic surgery was quite primitive. Doctors created these creepy masks to hide the injuries on their patients’ faces.
The first wheelchairs
Dr. Clark's spinal apparatus was advertised in 1878 as a device that would allow people with back problems to walk for a few minutes—or even hours—a day. In reality, the wooden frame on this terrifying device was so heavy that even a healthy person was unable to take even a couple of steps, not to mention patients with a bad spine.
Cradle of Utica
This “cradle” was used mainly in mental hospitals - it did not give patients the opportunity to walk, sit or move. By the 20th century, these cruel cages had disappeared from use and were replaced by straitjackets and padded rooms.
Dental pliers with screw
If you think that modern dentistry is not humane, look at what we have moved away from. A screw on this ominous device drilled a tooth, which the doctor held tightly with the same pliers. This made pulling out the tooth much easier. For the doctor, of course. And yes, dentists used this subject of torture BEFORE the invention of painkillers.
Ring for spermatorrhea
During the Victorian era, masturbation was considered very unhealthy. To prevent men from doing it, doctors invented a ring for spermatorrhea. It's simple: a man put this miracle ring on his penis, and every time he got overexcited, sharp thorns dug into his manhood, knocking down the whole mood.
Cough syrup with heroin and cocaine
Before heroin and cocaine were proven to be dangerous, addictive drugs, they were widely used to dull pain. For several years, heroin was present in cough syrup, until Bayer - the same company that gave us aspirin - discovered its narcotic nature.
First dentures
Prosthetics appeared in ancient Egypt.
Until relatively recently, most of them looked like something out of the world of steampunk. They were inconvenient, impractical and often embarrassed the owner.
bone chisel
To cure headaches, doctors used trepanation - they drilled a hole in the patient's skull. This is what a bone chisel was used for. Fortunately, there is now paracetamol.
source
14/03/2014
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Kinds
The disease is divided into 10 types, which helps doctors more effectively diagnose the pathology and carry out its therapy. According to this classification, paranoia is of the following types:
- Alcoholic – the disease progresses due to addiction to alcoholic beverages and is manifested, in addition to persecution mania, by especially strong, uncontrollable jealousy;
- Acute - in this condition the patient experiences delirium, hallucinations and stupor;
- Struggle - with this form, the patient constantly sees a violation of his rights and fights for them. Most of all, the relatives of the patient who are forced to live with him in the same apartment suffer from this manifestation of the disease;
- Conscience - the patient develops a constant desire for self-criticism, against the background of which obsessive states of craving for self-punishment arise, which leads to self-harm;
- Expansive acute - with this condition, patients have confidence in their special talent;
- Sensitive - in this case, the patient has a tendency to conflict and a desire to create such situations. A person’s behavior changes – it becomes much sharper than in a normal state of mind. At the same time, the patient’s vulnerability and sensitivity noticeably increase;
- Persecutory – the condition is characterized by a persistent feeling of persecution and periodic delusions;
- Lust – the patient is haunted by constant obsessive thoughts of a love or erotic nature, as well as erotic delusions;
- Involutional - occurs in women during menopause;
- Hypochondriacal - the patient becomes very suspicious, finds many non-existent diseases.
Depending on the type of illness, the psychiatrist selects one or another treatment method.
Symptoms
How does paranoia manifest itself? Symptoms of this disease can vary. Signs of paranoia:
- the emergence of ridiculous ideas that are firmly held;
- constant logical development of these ideas;
- paranoid ideas arise from auditory hallucinations that regularly provide information for delusions.
Paranoia can have many faces. The symptoms of this disease are as follows:
- Self-referential thinking: the patient feels that even complete strangers around him are always talking about him.
- The feeling that a paranoid person’s thoughts can be read by people around him (thought broadcasting).
- Magical thinking, which is characterized by a paranoid feeling that one's thoughts can be used to influence the actions and thoughts of other people.
- Conclusion: a paranoid person feels that others are stealing her thoughts.
- The feeling that the thoughts of others are interfering with his own thoughts. This is called thought implantation.
- Idea of appeal: a paranoid person is sure that television and/or radio are specifically addressing him.
Paranoia: symptoms and signs in women, men
It is quite easy to determine the manifestations of the disease, even for a non-specialist, since they are very bright. Relatives notice ideas in the patient that he regards as extremely important, and which, as the disease progresses, become obsessive and turn into delusions of desire.
It is precisely because of such desires that the victim of paranoia has the feeling that his enemies are constantly plotting against him . The person is completely sure that there is a conspiracy , which is aimed at preventing the implementation of his idea. The patient explains everything logically and convincingly, which is why people who do not have long-term constant contact with him may even be misled.
Symptoms of the disease are the same in women and men. Depending on the degree of development of paranoia, the patient may exhibit either single or multiple symptoms.
You can suspect paranoia when the following manifestations :
- Excessive mental activity - the patient has a tendency to evaluate the same situation from different points of view, even if it is very simple and occurs regularly. Such an assessment allows the patient to find a conspiracy against himself in everything;
- Increased physical activity;
- Reluctance to contact other people;
- Extremely negative attitude towards relatives;
- Extremely negative attitude towards friends;
- Aggression directed at oneself or others;
- Hallucinations – both auditory, visual and even tactile disturbances are possible. It is impossible to convince a patient that this or that phenomenon only seems to him;
- Changes in gait;
- Change in gestures;
- Change in facial expressions.
At the slightest suspicion that the patient has this disorder, contact a psychiatrist. Knowing what paranoia is and how it manifests itself, you can provide timely assistance to the patient and prevent the progression of the pathology.
Causes
Unfortunately, at the moment, the reasons for the development of paranoia remain a mystery to scientists , just like the prerequisites and aggravating factors.
But as a result of studying the anamnesis of people suffering from the disorder, it became clear that most often the pathology develops in heirs whose parents suffered from schizophrenia or forms of delusion.
Those. the likelihood that the disorder is hereditary is quite high.
Paranoia may be a mental response to severe stress experienced in childhood (threats, violence, moral suppression, etc.).
The disorder also develops in the case of pronounced indifference of parents towards the child, neglect of the baby or unreasonable aggression .
Another reason for the development of paranoia is degenerative processes in the brain against the background of age-related changes in older people.
Taking psychodisleptic drugs can provoke an incoming type of paranoia.
How to cure paranoia?
Pills
All medications for this disease must be prescribed by a qualified physician. to use synthetic medications on your own, since incorrect selection of therapy can only harm the patient.
- To combat paranoia, antipsychotic tablets are used to relieve delusions and hallucinations;
- With increased nervous excitability, the patient is also prescribed sedatives ;
- If there is alcohol or drug addiction, after cleansing the body of toxins with the help of droppers, medications are prescribed to relieve newly arising cravings.
Psychotherapeutic treatment
In most cases, the patient perceives the psychiatrist or psychotherapist as an enemy, which is why the psychotherapeutic effect is not always effective.
If the patient is ready to interact with a psychotherapist, cognitive behavioral therapy, family therapy, therapy for mania and obsessive states can be used.
This treatment can be carried out in a hospital setting or on an outpatient basis, depending on the patient’s condition and the degree of impairment.
Drug treatment
Do any pills help with paranoia? Indeed, a doctor may prescribe drug treatment for this disease (which, as a rule, occurs simultaneously with psychotherapeutic sessions).
The most commonly prescribed medications are:
- Traditional antipsychotics , also called antipsychotics. They block dopamine receptors in the human brain, and it is this hormone, according to scientists, that is responsible for the development of paranoid ideas. Speaking of antipsychotics, we can recall Navan, Mellaril, Thorazine, Haldol and others.
- Atypical antipsychotics . These medications are considered more modern and effective because their action is aimed at blocking dopamine, as well as serotonin (another hormone responsible for delusional thoughts). In this case, we can talk about Geodon, Clozaril, Zyprex, Risperdal, and so on.
- Antidepressants with tranquilizers . A doctor may prescribe such sedatives if a person is highly anxious, psychologically depressed, or has trouble sleeping.
Do antipsychotics cure the disease described? As already mentioned, monotherapy in this case is ineffective. Only a set of suitable therapeutic measures will achieve positive results.
Sometimes, to treat certain types of paranoia, the doctor resorts to hypnosis techniques.
How to get rid of paranoia on your own?
It is not possible to get rid of the disease on your own, but curing the pre-paranoid state is quite possible. For this purpose, several methods of self-therapy have been developed that can reduce the load on the central nervous system.
The most effective ways are:
- Keeping a diary. This measure allows you to release depression and stress, as well as get rid of obsessive thoughts by visualizing them on paper. The diary will also help to identify moments that provoke a paranoid state and promptly prevent their occurrence.
- The assumption of the thought that the first perception may be erroneous. This allows you to somewhat reduce suspicion and anxiety.
- Accepting yourself as you are. You should not condemn yourself, much less punish yourself, since every action, even if it is not correct, also has a positive effect, since it brings experience.
- Switching from paranoid thoughts. Usually, in a state that has not yet turned into an illness, a person feels moments when he begins to “obsess over” something. For this reason, as soon as negative obsessive thoughts appear, you should urgently distract yourself from them with the help of music, a movie or sleep.
Also, if you suspect a pre-paranoid state, it is best to visit a doctor to prevent the disease.
Folk remedies
How to get rid of the paranoid disorder of infidelity (the constant feeling that you are being cheated on), stalking, mistrust, health and jealousy? Is it possible to cure it yourself? Are there any cases of those who actually recovered from the disease? Listening to the advice of a psychologist is the most correct and first action on the part of the patient.
But in the early stages, you can try to overcome the disease by treating it with folk remedies at home:
- Ginger is also considered effective when dealing with anxiety and depression.
- Brahmi is a plant crop that is in great demand in Ayurveda. It helps relieve anxiety, cope with stress, and calms overexcited nerves.
- Ashwagandha is a remedy actively used in the treatment of schizophrenic and other psychoses. It helps eliminate feelings of anxiety, relieves fears, and calms panic. The course of treatment is 40 milliliters per day for a month.
The best way to treat paranoia is to see a psychotherapist.
So can paranoia be treated at home or not? We would recommend not relying on yourself when it comes to mental health. Still, only a qualified psychotherapist will be able to make the correct diagnosis and, based on it, prescribe a suitable therapeutic course. If you make a mistake, you risk treating something completely wrong and, accordingly, not as required, which will not bring any positive results.
Friends, consulting a professional doctor is the best solution for your health. The information on the site is for informational purposes only. Please do not self-medicate!
from here
05.10.2017
Paranoia and anhedonia
Anhedonia is a pathological condition in which a person experiences a loss of the ability to enjoy life.
There are often cases when this pathology accompanies paranoia, which causes the patient’s condition to become even more severe. This problem must be resolved with a specialist.
Today, if the disease is treated in a timely manner, it can be successfully corrected, which allows a person suffering from paranoia to live quite fully.
Don't spend your minutes waiting alone
If you are at home all alone, the minutes before your chosen one returns will seem like real torture. Left alone with your thoughts, you will become a slave to them and develop even more paranoia. To take your mind off things, plan a meeting with friends. Talk to them about anything, even about your fears. This will give you the opportunity to understand how exaggerated your fears are. A casual conversation will save your mental energy and leave your anxiety unfed.
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Be open if repairing the relationship is your goal.
In the event that your partner has indeed had an affair and you both want to save the relationship, an open heart and an open mind are two necessary ingredients for success. Don't be afraid to seek help from a professional psychologist. Specialists have many years of experience in counseling people who find themselves in difficult life situations; they successfully help partners change their attitude towards each other (especially in the area of thoughts and feelings). Choosing reconciliation after the discovery of infidelity can be difficult, but with the help of a professional expert, you can look at the situation with new eyes.
Release your guard
Paranoid people prefer to keep their ears open; they believe that other people are constantly trying to humiliate them, hurt them, harm them in some way, or threaten them. As a rule, they have unfounded beliefs and habits. However, feelings of guilt or mistrust interfere with the ability to form close relationships. Try not to look for only flaws in other people, try not to think about worst-case scenarios every second. Notice the positive traits in others.
