Speaking of Psychology Understanding paranoia and extreme mistrust, with Daniel Freeman, PhD
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Mar 19, 2025 In this engaging conversation, Daniel Freeman, PhD, a professor at the University of Oxford and a leading expert on paranoia, delves into the complex nature of mistrust. He explores the commonality of paranoid thoughts and distinguishes between healthy skepticism and excessive fear. The discussion highlights innovative therapeutic approaches, including the use of virtual reality to confront social fears. Freeman also addresses how substance use and the pandemic have exacerbated paranoia, providing fresh insights on treatment and management strategies.
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Defining Paranoia
- Paranoia is defined as the inaccurate fear that others are deliberately trying to harm you.
- This harm can be psychological, financial, or physical.
Paranoia Prevalence
- Paranoid thoughts are common because everyone must judge trustworthiness, leading to varying degrees of mistrust.
- Paranoia becomes problematic when mistrust is excessive, causing feelings of unsafety.
Paranoia and Mental Illness
- Paranoia is linked to many mental health conditions, but often signals longer persistence due to its social impact.
- It's most severe in conditions like schizophrenia but also appears in PTSD, depression, and anxiety.