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Phenomenological evidence for two types of paranoia
P D J Chadwick1, P Trower, T-M Juusti-Butler
1Royal South Hants Hospital & University of Southampton, Southampton, UK. paul.chadwick@wht.nhs.uk
Objective:
Two types of paranoia have been identified, namely persecution (or 'Poor Me') paranoia, and punishment (or 'Bad Me') paranoia. This research tests predicted differences in phenomenology--specifically, in person evaluative beliefs, self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and anger.
Method:
Fifty-three people with current paranoid beliefs were classified as Poor Me, Bad Me, or neither (classification was reliable). Key dependent variables were measured.
Results:
All predictions were supported, except the one relating to anger, where the two groups did not differ. The Bad Me group had lower self-esteem, more negative self-evaluative thinking, lower negative evaluations about others, higher depression and anxiety. Importantly, the differences in self-esteem and self-evaluations were not fully accounted for by differences in depression.
Conclusion:
Data support the presence of two distinct topographies of paranoia. Future research is needed to explore the theory further and examine clinical implications.
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