paranoiac

Paranoiac is a term historically used to describe a person affected by paranoia or something relating to paranoia. As an adjective, it can mean characterized by suspiciousness or overly distrustful thinking. As a noun, paranoiac refers to a person who exhibits such mental states. In modern clinical usage, the term is largely considered obsolete or stigmatizing, with medical language favoring more precise expressions such as paranoid delusions, paranoid personality disorder, or psychotic disorders with paranoid features.

Etymology and sense: The word originates from Greek roots, with paranoia describing an abnormal mind state involving exaggerated or unfounded beliefs about being persecuted or harmed. Over time, paranoiac came to denote a person influenced by such beliefs. The shift in contemporary psychiatry has moved toward specific diagnoses rather than blanket labels.

Medical context: Paranoia is a symptom that can occur in several mental health conditions, most notably schizophrenia spectrum disorders, delusional disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and mood disorders with psychotic features, as well as substance-induced psychosis. Paranoid symptoms include pervasive distrust, propriety of others’ motives, and delusions of persecution or grandeur. A paranoiac is not a standalone diagnosis; rather, it describes someone experiencing these symptoms, often within a broader clinical framework.

Terminology and sensitivity: Because of potential stigma, the term paranoiac is rarely used in contemporary clinical practice. Language that emphasizes the person rather than the condition—such as “a person with paranoia” or “a person with paranoid delusions”—is preferred. Clinicians typically specify the underlying diagnosis or symptomatology rather than labeling an individual as paranoiac.

See also: paranoia, paranoid personality disorder, delusional disorder, psychotic disorders.