Paranoid Ideations Paranoid ideations refer to the unfounded and persistent beliefs that one is being targeted or persecuted by others. These beliefs can be exaggerated and cause significant distress and anxiety, interfering with an individual's ability to function in daily life. Research studies have shown that paranoid ideations are a common symptom of several psychiatric and neurological conditions, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and dementia. For example, a study published in the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease found that individuals with paranoid ideations were more likely to have a diagnosis of schizophrenia than those without these beliefs (Compton et al., 2009). Paranoid ideations can also be caused by substance abuse, past traumatic experiences, or other factors. A study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research found that childhood maltreatment was associated with an increased risk of paranoid ideations in adulthood (Stern et al., 2012). According t