Is it possible for a Bipolar Disorder individual to have severe paranoia,?

The reason I'm wondering is because... a mental facility thought I had severe paranoia and Bipolar Disorder. Not only do I have severe paranoia, Bipolar.. I also have ADHD and a mild form of Autism. I've never been diagnosed with Schizophrenia, but some of my family have been previously diagnosed as Schizophrenic. Does this mean I have Schizophrenia as well, if I do not have hallucinations, delusions, but just have the severe paranoia? I hope not. I just hope the paranoia is from bipolar, but most of the time when paranoia or paranoid is mentioned- people think of Schizophrenia. Why is this?

Paranoia is not a psychological disorder. Bipolar disorder is a psychological disorder, and paranoia is a symptom of that. I think they either misspoke or you misheard because paranoia is not a disorder, it a symptom. Perhaps they meant to say that paranoia is a severe symptom which is contributing to the bipolar disorder. It's just a symptom, and it's a symptom of several disorders, ranging from the mild to severe disorders.

However, it is impossible for you to have both bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. There are, according to the DSM-IV, three basic structures for the way the mind works: neurotic, psychotic, and borderline. Bipolar disorder is neurotic, and schizophrenia is psychotic. It's absolutely contradictory and no reputable psychiatrist would diagnose with you both. If you have bipolar disorder, you cannot have schizophrenia. It's either one or the other.

Rest assured, just because they mentioned paranoia doesn't mean you are schizophrenic. In fact, being bipolar is actually good compared to other disorders. The neurotic classification (which is what bipolar disorder falls under) tends to have the best prognosis of them all. You are not schizophrenic just because you have paranoid symptoms stemming from bipolar disorder. Relax! Source(s): BA in psychology, MA in psychology and medical management, currently pursuing MD in psychiatry.

Yes, people with bipolar can be diagnosed with paranoia because of it. But also, paranoia most of the time sprouts from being told that they have it. 'Thats when the paranoia sets in. There is only about every 2 out of 17 who have true paranoia. Most of the time its caused by just starting to think you have it or drugs.
servere parinia is a symtom of being bipola. trust e my borther has is it.
Yeah, the power of suggestion can be an awsomely good and bad thing. It can make us think incredibly good things...and incredibly bad things too.

When mental illness is thrown into the mix, it only makes matters worse. I know when I went through a bout with severe depression...with a period of mania, I was paranoid but was induced paranoia. Not so much by drugs, but by my situation. At the time, I had lost a very public position and went broke, my fiance left me and I lost a good portion of my mind, I think.

The ridiculous cocktail of antidepressants I was taking didn't help matters much eiter.

But while I'm not expert, I think the two--paranoia and Schizophrenia can co exist....and can exist without the other.

Sweetheart, you sound like you're a mess. Please do everything you can to help yourself. You can you know. Make the effort.

Good luck.
it is associated with schizo. hey i have bipolar and been diagnosed as schizo. but i do get paranoid. if u need a freind to talk to i'm here dogmicjoe@yahoo.com. also go to nolongerlonely.com for support.
Paranoid ideation and paranoid delusions are very non-specific. They can be caused by a wide variety of illnesses and disorders. Yes, severe mood disorders such as bipolar disorder and major depression can included paranoid symptoms. They can also include hallucinations and delusions. You need to work with your doctor and be honest about your symptoms. Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia can share many of the same symptoms.