Psychiatria pre prax 1/2004

Problem of the classification of paranoid states

Paranoid states represent one of the biggest problem of practical and theoretical psychiatry. The terms “paranoia”, “paranoid state” “paranoid psychosis” have been the objects of much controversy in particular because the adjective “paranoid” has had multiple different meanings. The nosological status of these states is still uncertain. There are three main attitudes towards the paranoid states: 1. paranoid states represent an independent nosological entity, 2. paranoid states represent a variation of schizophrenia, 3. paranoid states are a form of affective disorders. The conceptual problems of paranoid states influence the way of their classification in classification systems of mental disorders.

Keywords: paranoid states, paranoia, classification system DSM, classification system ICD.