Paranoid ─ Exploring Suspicion from the Dubious to the Delusional (No, This Book is Not About You)

From the pathological killers who gunned down the innocents at Sandy Hook and Virginia Tech to the average citizen who suspects the government is monitoring phone calls, the signs of paranoia are all around us. In this comprehensive overview of an increasingly serious problem, an experienced neuropsychologist and researcher describes what paranoia is, how and why it manifests itself, and the many forms it takes, including stalking, pathological jealousy, a reaction to post-traumatic stress disorder, and even militia movements.

Using striking vignettes from the present and the past, each chapter illustrates specific manifestations of paranoia while also describing in layperson's terms the clinical analysis of the condition. Among the topics are delusional paranoia, paranoid symptoms in the elderly, the evolutionary origins of our "suspiciousness system" and factors that can trigger it today, the connection between illicit drug usage and paranoid behavior, jealousy, PTSD, violent reactions to paranoia, and the treatments available.

The author emphasizes that life in contemporary America is a fertile environment for paranoia; in an era of computer hackers, omnipresent security cameras, NSA surveillance, and terrorism, "normal" people have good reasons to be suspicious. But in such an insecure atmosphere, everyday suspicion can easily be ratcheted up, resulting in irrational attitudes and violent outbursts. He warns of an epidemic of paranoia and suggests public health measures that could be used to counteract this potentially dangerous trend.

Whether you consider yourself susceptible to paranoia or know others who might be, this enlightening book will help you understand the many factors that can distort your mental outlook.

David J. LaPorte, PhD, is a professor of psychology and director of clinical training in the Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He is the author or coauthor of seven book chapters and more than twenty professional articles, has testified in court as an expert witness on many occasions, and has done dozens of media interviews on syndicated radio. His research has been the subject of articles appearing in major magazines includingGlamour, Jump, and Allure as well as Today.com (the Today show online equivalent).