When a person is found to be "paronoid schizophrenia" .. why do these people tend to think that the Government is watching them ? The CIA is following them ? A chip has been placed in their head by the Govt ? Why don't they think of someone or something else ? Like "Fred down the street is trying to poison me" ? Why does it usually involve the arms of Government ? .. And why do some people chose to think they are "Jesus" . or whomever else is famous that they chose ? .. Why not someone else from history like Albert Einstein. I am really curious .. if you have a serious answer to this .. please let me know and thank you ! :)
2006-09-12 16:24:04 · 18 answers · asked by tysavage2001 6 in Health ➔ Mental Health
I suppose it would be because the government is capable of spying on people without them having knowledge of it and "Fred down the street" isn't as likely to pose a serious threat to anyone. I know a few people who used to serve for different branches of military and they swear that they now have some sort of tracking device implanted somewhere in their bodies. These people aren't schizophrenic. As far as people proclaiming to be Jesus and not Einstein...maybe they want to be known as the all mighty...one capable of doing things at the magnitude that Christ did. Einstein was only a man and to call yourself Jesus you would be greater than man.
2006-09-12 16:36:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Oh I love this question!
Personal thoughts and experience only and I have no documented information.
First of all, I think in our times it would be more likely for anyone to fear things like the Government, authorities, technology, and nuclear warfare. It's been said that all mental illnesses are an exaggeration of other people's feelings and tendencies. The reason a schizophrenic might fear the CIA more than his neighbor, then...could be evident through what we see all over the news everyday and what our country is really afraid of.
Also, there is the possibility that you're overestimating how often a schizophrenic fears one thing over the other due to media publicity. It's more exciting to hear about the crazy person running from the imagined government agency than that of a sweet little neighbor.
I was in a mental hospital once for serious depression after my mother died, and I felt like I was taking vacation watching all the characters there. I actually met a schizophrenic who thought he was Jesus half the time, alternating with some woman named Priscilla. I think to most people, Jesus is larger than life. He is the ultimate archetype of greatness in our culture (for most). While Albert Einstein was an incredible genius, he was certainly no saint, and certainly not a God. Perhaps, since "jesus" is still "living", and Albert Einstein is quite dead, most schizophrenics can identify with someone who is living.
Most of this is speculation, but I was being as serious as possible in my current state of mind.
2006-09-12 23:47:01 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
there are a lot of other things too... such as "Fred down the street is trying to poison me". Well, not only that but "Everyone is trying to rob me" and other similar things. The reason why most of these people dwell on bigger things, like government, Jesus, etc. is because it's probably what they hear about the most.
When growing up, you don't think about poison, it's about the government and 'aluminum hats'. Plus, some are raised with God in their mind from the parents. Thus, they become a great symbol that they think people want them to be.
Then again, I am also not a person with great knowledge in this area. No matter who tells you anything about these people, they really don't know, unless they are them, and in which they don't know the truth.
But in reality, the government isn't spying on you mostly, it's the private businesses.
2006-09-12 23:29:39 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Delusions are persistent false beliefs that the paranoid schizophrenic individual holds with absolute conviction. The Government watching is a persecution delusion. A chip placed in the head, etc. is an example of a delusion that someone is taking thoughts out of the mind of the diseased individual. In fact, delusions of someone or something do occur, other than your examples. It is frequent that delusions entail the fear that one is being served poison food. The Government delusion is one example only of a persecution delusion; it could be extraterrestrials, celebrities, or terrorists causing the persecution delusion of the schizophrenic. The delusional belief of being Jesus or a famous person is a delusion of grandeur which is also an affliction of schizophrenia. This identity could be Albert Einstein or perhaps that of a rock star. I am well researched in these matters!
2006-09-12 23:32:26 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
They tend to go in the direction they already thought. There are not many people who do not think the government is watching us. They just go to an extreme.
The Jesus or Moses complex is one of many. They tend toward a "saviour" complex...know any "saviours" besides Jesus? Some will go with other things and other people. I have seen them think they were top government officals or very important people in colleges. Some think they are Florence Nightengale reincarnated....even simple people like old movie stars. You have a whole wide gammet there. You just have not heard as much about them.
Others will fixate on family members or famouse serial killers, etc. Fire starters can be schizo people who have a fascination with purification and fire purifies.
There is NO end to the possibilities...but a lot go with VERY famous people.
2006-09-12 23:48:36 · answer #5 · answered by DA R 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It could well be that some of their delusions are based in reality because big brother is watching you all the time you just dont know or care and they do also as to the delusional part it is a neurochemical imbalance along with some somatic trauma so because their life they percieve is traumatic and to cope with the trauma the mind blocks off that section of the brain untill it has had time to cope with it and becomes some one less threatened mabey even loved and respected hope that helps you gprbalizer
2006-09-12 23:36:18 · answer #6 · answered by gorbalizer 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Paranoia is vague, so it manifests as something vague like government. The neighbor down the street is understandable. Schizophrenia is hallucinations (hearing voices usually). Thinking You are Jesus is a different disorder called called meglomania.
2006-09-13 02:26:06 · answer #7 · answered by nursesr4evr 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Television probably influences a lot of their behavior. There are plenty of shows where the CIA or FBI are tracking people. Not so many with Fred down the street.
People would like to pretend to be Jesus to have divine powers and to make themselves feel important. I mean- would you rather be a brilliant mathematician or the SON OF GOD???
2006-09-12 23:30:05 · answer #8 · answered by ashcatash 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would imagine its because Albert Einstein isn't as threatening to people, would you be scared or worried if Einstein was following you? Probably not, but if the CIA a large organization, of which is pretty secretive and carry large weapons, you can bet your bum i would be worried
2006-09-12 23:26:58 · answer #9 · answered by Answer Girl 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Everyone loves a good government conspiracy theory. They have just taken it to the next level & they believe it to be true.
Who wouldn't want to break out of a mediocre life to believe they're someone famous and known the world over? Sounds like a cry for attention to me.
Medications can help. Please take according to schedule as prescribed by a doctor.
2006-09-12 23:30:52 · answer #10 · answered by Dave 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋