The subjective experience of paranoia: Comparing the experiences of patients with psychosis and individuals with no psychiatric history

Over the last decade, significant theoretical developments in psychological approaches to paranoia have taken place. Despite this, no published research has examined the subjective experience of paranoia. The present study aimed to do this. 12 people took part; six of whom had received a diagnosis of a schizophrenia spectrum disorder and six had never received a psychiatric diagnosis but had experienced paranoid thoughts. Participants were interviewed and the data were then transcribed and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Four superordinate themes were identified: (1) the phenomena; (2) beliefs about paranoia; (3) factors that influence paranoia; and (4) the consequences of paranoia. Within each theme, similarities and differences between the groups were highlighted. All participants believed that negative life experiences had influenced their paranoid ideas and all experienced anxiety. However, the most striking difference concerned the issue of control; the patient group felt controlled by their ideas whereas the non‐patients did not. The theoretical and clinical implications of the findings are discussed.