Which of the following best describes paranoia as it relates to psychological disorders?

• A. A temporary feeling of sadness or hopelessness that resolves without intervention.
• B. An irrational and persistent feeling that others are out to harm or persecute you, often seen in disorders such as schizophrenia and delusional disorder.
• C. A sudden loss of memory for important personal information, usually following trauma.
• D. A compulsive need to perform certain rituals or behaviors to reduce anxiety.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the term 'paranoia' in the context of psychological disorders. Paranoia involves irrational and persistent thoughts or beliefs that others intend to cause harm or persecute the individual.
2. Step 2: Recognize that paranoia is not a temporary mood state like sadness or hopelessness, which are more related to depressive symptoms.
3. Step 3: Differentiate paranoia from memory loss conditions, such as amnesia, which involve sudden loss of personal information and are unrelated to paranoid thoughts.
4. Step 4: Distinguish paranoia from compulsive behaviors seen in disorders like Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), where rituals are performed to reduce anxiety rather than due to fears of persecution.
5. Step 5: Conclude that paranoia is best described as an irrational and persistent feeling that others are out to harm or persecute you, commonly observed in disorders such as schizophrenia and delusional disorder.