paranoid :

paranoid

The most common meaning of “paranoid” has to do with irrational fears of persecution, especially the unjustified fear that people are plotting against you. More generally it is applied to irrational fears of other kinds; but it is often misused of rational fears, as in “I know my Mom has been reading my blog, so I’m paranoid that she’s found out what Jason and I did last Saturday night.” That’s not paranoia, but fully justifiable fear. It also doesn’t make sense to use “paranoid” about mild worries and fears. When you say you are paranoid, you should be conveying your own irrationality, not the risks you feel you are running.

Facebook Twitter Google +


Definitions

  • n  a person afflicted with paranoia
  • s  suffering from paranoia
News & Articles

  • Black Sabbath top British album chart again: after 43 years
    By Costas Pitas LONDON (Reuters) - The British rock band Black Sabbath's album "13!" has given them a first British Number One album in nearly 43 years, a record interval between chart-toppers, the Official Charts Company said on Sunday. Black Sabbath were last at the top of the UK chart with their second album, "Paranoid". "I'm in shock!" Black Sabbath front man Ozzy Osbourne told the Official ...
    June 16, 2013 - Reuters via Yahoo! News
  • ON MENTAL ILLNESS: Misperceived by Society
    Most people are taught by sensationalized news and exaggerated movies to be paranoid about persons with mental illness. People should realize that most mentally ill people are not dangerous, and on the contrary, are often victimized by criminals who see us as relatively defenseless people.
    June 14, 2013 - The Berkeley Daily Planet
  • Paranoid Government
    Like many of my fellow Americans, I’m getting pretty concerned about a fringe group in our country that’s growing increasingly isolated and paranoid. Worse, we now have indications that this group is lashing out in ignorance and fear.It’s time that we finally confront the problem of...
    June 13, 2013 - New York Post