Lexic.us

Definition of Paranoia

1. Noun. A psychological disorder characterized by delusions of persecution or grandeur.

Definition of Paranoia

1. n. Mental derangement; insanity.

2. n. A chronic form of insanity characterized by very gradual impairment of the intellect, systematized delusion, and usually by delusious of persecution or mandatory delusions producing homicidal tendency. In its mild form paranoia may consist in the well-marked crotchetiness exhibited in persons commonly called "cranks." Paranoiacs usually show evidences of bodily and nervous degeneration, and many have hallucinations, esp. of sight and hearing.

Definition of Paranoia

1. a mental disorder [n -S]

Medical Definition of Paranoia

1. A psychotic disorder marked by persistent delusions of persecution or delusional jealousy and behaviour like that of the paranoid personality, such as suspiciousness, mistrust and combativeness. It differs from paranoid schizophrenia, in which hallucinations or formal thought disorder are present, in that the delusions are logically consistent and that there are no other psychotic features. The designation in DSM III R is delusional (paranoid) disorders, with five types: persecutory, jealous, erotomanic, somatic and grandiose. Origin: Gr. Madness, delirium, from noein = to think This entry appears with permission from the Dictionary of Cell and Molecular Biology (11 Mar 2008)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Paranoia

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