noun. 1. a paranoid state. 2. in the DSM-lll, a fairly rare disorder obviously separate from paranoid schizophrenia, wherein the individual reasons right from a wrong base and grows a continual, well-systematized, and reasonably developed group of persecutory delusions. 3. in the past, any psychiatric disorder marked by continual delusions. 4. with regard to ancient times, any cognitive disorder or delirium.
PARANOIA: “Her paranoia has clearly gotten the best of her.”