Paranoid disorder has been recognized as a special problem among migrants in general, and refugees in particular. Controversy exists about whether vulnerability to paranoia is a pre‐emigration or post migration phenomenon, and whether paranoia is caused by genetic or organic factors, victimization, or the stress of acculturation, information is limited on the distribution of paranoid symptoms among refugees. The course of paranoid symptoms in refugees is unknown. Findings reveal that: most refugees have no or mild paranoid symptoms (suspiciousness or mistrust); a small number have severe symptoms (ideas of reference, paranoid delusions or paranoid hallucinations); paranoid symptoms (unlike depressive symptoms) tend to remain at about the same level over several years; and the prevalence and incidence of paranoid disorders among refugees are high compared with other groups. Copyright © 1989, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved

paranoia Refugee

refugee Laos paranoia Longitudinal Studies human Refugees Social Identification Time Factors Aged Paranoid Disorders Minnesota male Acculturation female stress Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S. major clinical study adult migration Social Adjustment Middle Age