Paranoia
Paranoia is when you think or feel you are being threatened in some way, even if there is no evidence of this that other people can see. It is similar to some forms of delusions. You may think that you are being watched, that people are intentionally trying to upset you, or that people are trying to steal from you.
1 These feelings can make it very difficult to trust and engage with services that support people with benefits applications and with the benefit system itself. Paranoia can be based in a real past event. For example, if someone was turned down for benefits or sanctioned in the past, they may believe that the system is against them personally.
When to ask about paranoia
Anyone can experience paranoia, but it might be particularly relevant if somebody is diagnosed with:
– bipolar disorder;
– BPD;
– paranoid personality disorder;
– psychosis, including postpartum psychosis;
– schizoaffective disorder;
– schizophrenia;
– schizotypal personality disorder.