What Is Paraphrenia?

Originally defined by Emil Kraepelin in the late 1890’s to describe people who were exhibiting mild symptoms of schizophrenia. Paraphrenia was a term used to describe late onset (usually showing up in someone’s 40’s) form of atypical psychosis. It is not referenced in the current DSM 5 but you may still hear some specialists use the term today and I wanted people to understand what they were referring to. 

Paraphrenia is a disorder that is similar to paranoid schizophrenia and some may label the condition as late onset schizoaffective disorder. It is a condition that is found more in women than men. But research on Paraphrenia has been very limited and it is thought that some under-reporting is also an issue. This has also meant that being diagnosed with this condition is uncommon.

Causes Of Paraphrenia?

Paraphrenia is thought, like most psychotic disorders, to be genetic but less so than schizophrenia. But it may also be caused by stroke, traumatic brain injuries, drug or alcohol misuse. Some psychiatrists have also related it to Dementia.

Symptoms Of Paraphrenia

Occurring for the first time in the person’s 40’s. With other psychotic disorders they usually occur/manifest in the person’s teens or 20’s. Unlike schizophrenia, this condition is less hereditary and progresses slowly.

Also unlike schizophrenia the person’s personality remains fundamentally intact, and doesn’t show significant changes in habits or even intellect. They are also well-oriented and well-aware of the time and their surroundings. They’re less like to have negative symptoms, disorganised thoughts, impaired learning, or trouble understanding information.

Symptoms may include:

1. Experiencing delusions and hallucinations
2. Experiencing strange or unusual thoughts, paranoia
3. Eccentric behaviour
4. Stroke, or other traumatic brain injury
5. Alcohol or drug misuse including prescription medication
6. Higher occurrence in women than men

Symptoms thought to make you more susceptible are:

1. Previous schizoid and paranoid personality traits
2. Living alone
3. Poor social network and isolation
4. Sensory impairments, especially deafness
5. More dependence on community care.

Can co-occur with depression and anxiety.

Please note these lists above are not inclusive.

How is Paraphrenia Treated?

Paraphrenia tends to react to treatment better than other psychotic disorders. Medication and therapy is generally used to treat it. As Paraphrenia can co-occur with depression and anxiety, treatment will need to take into account all conditions.

Medications may be required to treat the depression and anxiety as well, plus therapy will be tailored to the individuals needs. The aim is to improve the quality of life of the person and their day to day functioning.

Family interventions, including family education and counselling for the family as a whole and individually, may also be very useful particularly when the person is cared for by family.

It may be a difficult and rare condition to diagnose but the consequences of not treating the psychotic symptoms are impairment, disability in daily life, plus greater dependence on community care, and cognitive dysfunction.

It should be noted that some of the symptoms may also be related to early onset dementia. So a full and thorough investigation is needed before a diagnoses will be given, usually by a psychiatrist. If you suspect you, or a loved one, needs help please contact your GP first. They will complete an initial assessment and then refer you to the right specialist for diagnoses and treatment.

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