How Do You Spell PARANOIA?

Pronunciation: [pˈaɹənˌɔ͡ɪə] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "paranoia" can be tricky due to its varied pronunciation. The phonetic transcription using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) for this word is pəˈrɔɪn jə. The two syllables are pronounced with a schwa (ə) in the first one and a diphthong (ɔɪ) in the second one. The "n" in the second syllable is pronounced with a y sound, making the word sound like pə-roy-n-ya. This word refers to a mental disorder where the person has irrational beliefs of being harmed or persecuted.

PARANOIA Meaning and Definition

  1. Paranoia refers to an excessive and irrational suspicion or distrust of others, often accompanied by a sense of persecution or threat, even when there is little or no evidence to support such beliefs. It is a psychological phenomenon that can be characterized by an individual's unwarranted and exaggerated mistrust towards people or circumstances.

    The term "paranoia" originates from the Greek words "para" meaning "beside" or "beyond," and "noos" meaning "mind" or "thought." In this sense, paranoia can be seen as a condition where an individual's thoughts deviate from reality, leading to unfounded concerns and a heightened state of suspicion. This can manifest as a pervasive belief that others are constantly plotting, deceiving, or conspiring against the person, regardless of any objective evidence to support these beliefs.

    People experiencing paranoia may exhibit various symptoms, including constant vigilance, feelings of extreme vulnerability, hypersensitivity to criticism or rejection, and a tendency to interpret innocent or neutral situations as threatening or malevolent. Paranoia can have a significant impact on a person's social and emotional well-being, often leading them to isolate themselves or engage in defensive behaviors that may further perpetuate their feelings of suspicion.

    Paranoia can occur as a symptom of several mental health disorders, such as paranoid personality disorder, schizophrenia, or substance-induced psychosis. However, it can also be present on its own, without being associated with any specific psychiatric condition. Treatment for paranoia often involves psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of both, depending on the underlying cause and severity of symptoms.

    In summary, paranoia encompasses an unfounded and pervasive distrust of others, where an individual interprets benign events as malicious or threatening. It is an abnormal and excessive state of suspicion that can significantly impact a person's perception, behavior

  2. A functional mental disorder marked by the presence of systematized delusions without other symptoms of insanity; it begins usually in the middle twenties and in subjects in whom there is some hereditary psychopathic or neuropathic taint.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

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Other Common Misspellings for PARANOIA

Etymology of PARANOIA

The word "paranoia" has its roots in ancient Greek. It comes from the Greek words "para" meaning "beside" or "beyond", and "noos" meaning "mind" or "intelligence". The combination of these terms gives us "paranoia", which can be translated as "beyond the mind" or "abnormal state of mind". In Greek, the original meaning of paranoia referred to a mental disorder characterized by extreme distrust and suspicion of others. Over time, the word has been adopted into various languages, including English, where it is used to describe an irrational or exaggerated belief that one is being persecuted, observed, or threatened.

Similar spelling words for PARANOIA

Plural form of PARANOIA is PARANOIAS

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