History Main / TheParanoiac

* ''VideoGame/Psychonauts'': Boyd Cooper, an inmate-turned-guard at [[BedlamHouse Thorny Towers Home for the Disturbed]], suffers from extreme paranoid delusions, believing himself at the center of a conspiracy where the world is out to get him. While this is the reason he was ''kept'' at Thorny Towers, the reason he was committed in the first place was for burning down the department store he worked at after being fired for, according to supplementary materials, randomly accusing and detaining mall patrons for supposedly being in on the plot against him.

** Aegon Targaryen II was also paranoid ''and'' suffering auditory hallucinations. Not helping matters was that he ''trusted'' the sadistic voices in his head and distrusted every real person, leading to the inhumane purges culminating with an attempt to destroy King's Landing by napalm. [[spoiler:Daenerys succumbs to the same madness when she learns that she was AlwaysSecondBest to the true Targaryen heir Jon Snow, and half her court tried to betray her so they could switch flags to Jon's side while the other half died horribly. She finishes what Aegon started out of inadequacy and paranoia, and ironically dies because she still trusted Jon to not react by stabbing her in the back.]]

** Batman himself is also frequently accused of being a paranoiac; how much this is true is a case of DependingOnTheWriter, but he has certainly demonstrated many paranoid traits, including a grim attitude, ControlFreak tendencies, JerkAss tendencies and a habit of resorting to violence to solve his problems, with some stories going so far as to imply that being the Batman is simply an excuse for Bruce to take revenge for the murder of his parents by beating the crap out of criminals every night. He also has a grim and bleak view of the society he lives in — mostly because that society [[WretchedHive is Gotham City]], and his explicit reason for choosing a bat as his gimmick is to scare the hell out of his enemies. [[SubvertedTrope However]], most stories portray him as someone who, despite being a major cynic and pessimist, actually ''does'' somewhat trust his allies (just brutally aware that he lives in a world where MindControl, DemonicPossession, and exposed secret identities are all very real dangers) and who is actually a humble man who has decided to sacrifice his life to the cause of saving others from the evil that took his family away from him. [[DoubleSubversion But then again]], [[Comicbook/RobinSeries considering some]] [[Comicbook/JusticeLeagueOfAmericaTowerOfBabel of the morally]] [[Comicbook/InfiniteCrisis questionnable lenghts he’s]] [[Comicbook/DarkNightsMetal gone to]] to spy on his allies without their consent and come up with plans to take them down behind their backs, one has to wonder.

* ComicBook/DoctorDoom is the archetypal paranoid narcissist, and his creator Creator/JackKirby has even occasionally referred to him as a paranoid. The absolute monarch of the tiny nation of Latveria where he has fostered a cult of personality around himself, Doom frequently [[ThirdPersonPerson refers to himself in the third person]], accepts [[NeverMyFault zero responsibility]] for any of his mistakes and failures, and is completely convinced that the reason [[ComicBook/FantasticFour the Fantastic Four]] are fighting him is because their leader Reed (and everyone else, but especially Reed) is and always had been insanely jealous of Doom's own "superior" brilliance.

* Lydia Rodart-Quaile, from ''Series/BreakingBad'', is a blue-collar criminal who worked with Gus through Madrigal Electromotive in his drug empire. She is constantly paranoid that someone is out to get her, fearful that she would be raped in prison and her daughter would be abused if placed into foster care. She is exceptionally nervous about meeting with other criminal associates in person, and she attempts to have several of Mike's associates killed to prevent them from ratting on her, even after he assures her that they would not talk. [[spoiler:In the series finale, arranges to have Walt killed to prevent him from putting a spanner in the works after returning from being on the run. In the end, she turns out to be ProperlyParanoid, as Walt has her poisoned with ricin in their last face-to-face meeting.]]

* ''VideoGame/LonelyWolfTreat'': Juju ''definitely'' qualifies. Throughout the series she seems [[PerpetualFrowner perpetually unhappy]], and has a consistently grim and cynical view of the world. She sees it as her duty to vigilantly protect her village from threats, [[XenophobicHerbivore especially predators]], is [[TautologicalTemplar thoroughly convinced of her own righteousness]], and [[NeverMyFault refuses to accept blame]] after her own {{Jerkass}} behavior leads to her being kidnapped by the foxes. She acts [[ControlFreak controlling]] and emotionally manipulative towards Mochi, tries to send her off to her parents "for your own good". [[FreudianExcuse All of this may stem from]] [[spoiler:her father disappearing when she was young, apparently eaten by wolves]].

1. '''NeverMyFault''': Paranoiacs are hypersensitive to setbacks and rebuffs. They tend to either blame others for their mistakes and bad behaviour or take pride in them as achievements. This is usually a defensive act — since they are constantly on guard against attacks, deceit, and [[CantTakeCriticism criticism]], they typically experience being caught out as a personal assault on themselves and thus, denial and blaming others is their way of deflecting attention away from their weaknesses if they feel their defences are being breached. At extremes, they may go full-on TautologicalTemplar.

2. '''{{Revenge}}''': Paranoiacs are the most likely of all the personality types to hold grudges and [[BestServedCold hold them long]]. Once again, this is primarily a defensive act, taking the view that if people know they will take vengeance for any wrongdoing done to them, real or imagined (often imagined), they will be less likely to mess with the paranoiac. This also compensates for their typically low self-esteem — since they constantly feel embattled, revenge is a way of asserting control over their lives, and taking out their stress on those who they feel deserve it (often, anyone and everyone). DisproportionateRetribution is to be expected as well. [[note]]In practice, most RealLife paranoiacs are more likely to [[PowerFantasy fantasise about revenge]] than to actually do anything about it, since as said, they are primarily defensive, often stressed, and prone to low self-esteem. Actually taking revenge exposes them and invites retaliation, so usually a paranoiac taking revenge is a sign that they either have reached their RageBreakingPoint or they have found themselves in a position of strength or confidence; many extremists are paranoiacs who have gained that confidence from interacting with like-minded people, sometimes leading to terrorism. As such, many paranoiacs [[TheChainOfHarm take out their stresses on]] [[DomesticAbuse their friends and family]] since they can't or won't act against their "enemies".[[/note]]

3. '''[[JadeColoredGlasses Suspiciousness / Cynicism]]''': Perhaps the core feature of this type of personality is the tendency to be mistrustful and cynical about people and the world at large, which they tend to view as [[CrapsackWorld a harsh, chaotic, or oppressive place]] where [[TheSocialDarwinist only the mean and the tough survive]]. They tend to assume that people they meet or know are out to bully or trick them, which ties back into NeverMyFault as they can blame their shortcomings in life on the malicious sabotage of other people; ironically, those shortcomings are often ''actually'' the result of stress or distractions from assuming [[SelfFulfillingProphecy everyone is out to get them]], or their paranoid obsessions with self-reliance and self-sufficiency.

4. '''{{Jerkass}}''': The tendency to assume that the world is filled with malicious jerkasses ends up causing the paranoiac to act like a colossal jerkass themselves, the logic being "do unto others before they do unto you"[[note]]that big guy can't punch you in the face if his arm is broken or [[AnArmAndALeg missing]], now, can he?[[/note]]. They tend to be combative, hostile, and quarrelsome and detest laziness (esp. with regards to vigilance) and weakness in themselves and their families, friends, and anyone who is supposed to be on "their" side. Kindness is a deceptive ploy at best and weakness at worst, so outside of [[ManipulativeBastard manipulative]] behaviour or to buy[=/=]reward loyalty (if even that), they have no time for it. They [[BitchInSheepsClothing may try and hide it behind a pleasant facade]], but inside they are mean, angry, petty, and spiteful and believe that those who ''aren't'' are either weak, arrogant, or stupid. Many are outright ''proud'' of their cruel actions, as they conflate it with boldness, strength, and bravery. Paranoiacs who are also {{sociopath}}s or {{sadist}}s are amongst the most unpleasant and aggressive (if not outright criminal or even, yes, flat-out ''evil'') people you are ever likely to meet.

5. '''ControlFreak''': Paranoiacs are often plagued by fears that their significant others are cheating on them; more generally, they tend to be hypersensitive regarding issues of loyalty from their family, friends, colleagues, followers, and those either in their power or who they themselves owe allegiance to. Often leads to [[ClingyJealousGirl clingy jealous]] behaviour which, once again, leads to the SelfFulfillingProphecy of inspiring disloyalty rather than discouraging it. Expect them to police and spy on their own side (as they see it) as much as or more than their real or imagined enemies. They might also try to dominate, belittle, or otherwise demean others in order to keep them in their power.

6. '''[[{{Narcissist}} Self-Importance]]''': Though distinct from [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcissistic_personality_disorder Narcissistic Personality Disorder]] (although narcissistic paranoids and paranoid narcissists both certainly exist too), paranoiacs are themselves prone to grandiosity and egomania; after all, if ''everyone'' is out to get you, or if you are the only one who sees [[StrawNihilist how hard and crappy the world is]], then clearly [[InsaneTrollLogic there is something special about you]]. They also have the narcissistic tendency to assume that [[ItsAllAboutMe their own problems or issues are bigger, harder, or more important than what anyone else is going through]], and thus suffer from an egotistical LackOfEmpathy. Since many are emotionally unstable and suffer from low self-esteem, this tends to be an InferioritySuperiorityComplex rather than genuine overconfidence; as such, excessive self-reference, in some cases up to and including ThirdPersonPerson, is common in this type of personality, since they are constantly trying to reassure themselves (and others) of their own specialness and invincibility. A SelfServingMemory and tendency to distort reality and read the worst into motives and situations is another feature.

7. '''ConspiracyTheorist''': Paranoiacs tend to see or imagine elaborate conspiracies against themselves, their families, causes, allies, organizations, etc., or even against others they have no association or even sympathy with. As stated, although this is what most people think of when they hear the word "paranoia", it's not in-and-of-itself enough to be considered a paranoid personality disorder, nor is the lack of this enough to ''exclude'' a diagnosis of [=PPD=]. Many paranoid conspiracy theories might also be relatively grounded, "merely" thinking that people who actually dislike them are now out to get them (and not just, say, outlandish ideas about the government or aliens or such). One again, this can be a SelfFulfillingProphecy, as others might be inspired to work against the paranoiac precisely because the paranoiac acts like a {{jerkass}} who thinks everyone is conspiring against them.

* In ''LightNovel/RebuildWorld'', Akira has severe trust issues due to fighting tooth and nail against everyone he knows in the slums of Kugamayama City and being abandoned by multiple people offering him a better life, making him a Type 4. He's quick to pull a gun on others, won't hesitate to shoot unless it's a waste of ammo, and refuses to make lasting relationships with others unless they also benefit him. He also sleeps with one eye open and never has a gun far away from him. This gradually softens as he becomes accustomed to having more luxuries like a safe bed to sleep in, but he's still largely cynical unless he speaking to someone who has truly earned his trust.

* ''Franchise/StarWars's'' Darth Vader fits this personality type quite well, as years of war, the death of his mother, and mountains of shame and guilt over the atrocities he kept committing turned him into a ruthless ControlFreak with delusions of "[[UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans bring(ing) order to the Galaxy]]" via crushing any and all opposition to Imperial rule. He is filled with self-loathing and takes it out on others, [[BadBoss including his subordinates]] for the [[SarcasmMode heinous crime]] of [[YouHaveFailedMe failing him]]. It's strongly implied that he wants revenge on the Emperor for manipulating him into being this way, but he is simply too afraid of him to do anything about it, at least until [[EvenEvilHasLovedOnes his son comes into play]].

* While initially portrayed as more of a straightforward (but unusually extroverted) BasementDweller, [[{{Otaku}} Ronaldo Fryman]] of ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'' is quickly revealed to be a colorful mix of types 6 and 7. Particularly notable is the fact that, while they are based entirely on apophenia, after an early revision to his [[ReptilianConspiracy initial theory]] his conspiracy theories generally [[ProperlyParanoid turn out to be TRUE.]]

* The nation of Zaldia from ''FanFic/RainbowDoubleDashsLunaverse''. For centuries, Zaldia has defined itself almost entirely by its fear of and opposition to Equestria, to the point where basically anything Equestria does is automatically at least suspicious and probably nefarious, and constant action and vigilance must be taken to ensure that Equestria never gains the upper hoof over them because the Equestrians are surely waiting just to pounce on them or, at the very least, weaken them in some way. Among other things, they blame Cavallia (an Equestrian ally and quasi-vassal) for "stealing" the pegasi that they drove away with their own FantasticRacism, are convinced that only their accumulation of items of power has kept Equestria from annexing them, and assume that when Trixie gives Kristal Zati a nice present, she's trying to bribe him.

* ''Film/TenCloverfieldLane''. Howard Stambler, and not just because he's a CrazySurvivalist; his behaviour also fits many of the above-mentioned points. He views people who aren't CrazyPrepared with disdain and [[LackOfEmpathy doesn't seem all that upset]] about their suffering, he's [[TheCynic overtly cynical]] about most of the world, he's [[ControlFreak incredibly controlling]] both about the bunker and the behavior of people in there, he's self-important and [[SmallNameBigEgo sees himself as one of the last heroic men left]], he's a huge [[ConspiracyTheorist conspiracy nut]] and a massive jerk. That's in addition to his [[HairTriggerTemper explosive temper]] and his staunch belief in self-reliance and sufficiency as well as [[ItsAllAboutMe getting pissed when he feels that people aren't sufficiently grateful or respectful to him]] for his 'kindness'.

** Even before he became Darth Vader, Anakin Skywalker was increasingly becoming this over the course of ''Film/AttackOfTheClones'' and ''[[WesternAnimation/StarWarsTheCloneWars The Clone Wars]]'', culminating in his FaceHeelTurn in ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith''. He comes to believe that the Jedi are plotting to take over the Republic and that Padmé is planning to betray him (and may be cheating on him with Obi-Wan); neither of these is true. [[note]]Well, technically, the Jedi were intending to take control of the Republic, but this was only going to be a temporary thing whilst they dealt with Darth Sidious; they aren't just out for power as Anakin thinks.[[/note]] The inciting incident of his turn is also his fear that his wife will die based on a hazy Force vision (it turns out, [[SelfFulfillingProphecy he is the one that kills her]]). By the end of Episode III, he meets ''all seven'' criteria for this trope ([[NeverMyFault he tends to blame everyone but himself for things going wrong]], exacts DisproportionateRetribution on those he feels has wronged him, is suspicious over his wife and the Jedi, [[TookALevelInJerkass takes several levels in Jerkass]], turns into a ControlFreak who thinks totalitarianism is the only way to achieve peace, has a ''huge'' [[DudeWheresMyRespect ego]], becomes [[ItsAllAboutMe increasingly self-absorbed]], and [[ConspiracyTheorist thinks everyone is out to get him or is a traitor.]]

* While initially portrayed as more of a straightforward (but unusually extroverted) BasementDweller, [[{{Otaku}} Ronaldo Fryman]] of ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'' is quickly revealed to be a colorful mix of types 6 and 7. Particularly notable is the fact that, while they are based entirely on apophenia, after an early revision to his [[TheReptilians initial theory]] his conspiracy theories generally [[ProperlyParanoid turn out to be TRUE.]]

* Paranoia is what caused [[Characters/FantasticFourEnemies Annihilus]] to become an OmnicidalManiac. He's always been terrified of dying, and while his Cosmic Control Rod means he can't die of natural causes, he can still be killed by others. Thus, his ultimate goal in life is to kill every living being in the universe, just in case any of them might kill him. This has rather predictably proven self-fulfilling; becoming a mass murderer out of paranoia that others would kill him has greatly increased the number of people who ''want'' Annihilus dead.

* ''VideoGame/InjusticeGodsAmongUs'': In an alternate version of the DC Universe, after being tricked into killing his wife Lois Lane and nuking Metropolis by ComicBook/TheJoker, Superman establishes a dictatorship on Earth. He becomes ''hypersensitive'' to any criticism levied on him, responding with outright DisproportionateRetribution at times. [[SanitySlippage As time progressed]], he becomes a rage-fueled madman ranting about how [[UngratefulBastard "ungrateful"]] people are towards his rule and ignoring his own faults by passing on the blame to others, [[spoiler:even killing two of his own allies when they realize how far he's fallen]]. He even [[{{Yandere}} develops]] an obsession on Multiverse Lois [[LovingAShadow when told]] about it, planning to forcefully [[AndNowYouMustMarryMe take her]] as his bride even if she won't like it and [[MurderingTheHypotenuse kill]] Multiverse Superman.

** The Scarecrow, who was violently bullied in his youth and was left with a crippling inferiority complex that developed into an obsession with fear and a career in supervillainy, his "gimmick" being scaring people to death with hallucinogens and drugs. Like most Batman villains, he is prone to BadBoss behaviour and violent overreactions. He also believes that the entire world runs on fear; hard to get a bleaker worldview than that.

* The novelization of ''Literature/RevengeOfTheSith'' makes it clear that Anakin Skywalker is slipping into chronic paranoia even before he falls to TheDarkSide and becomes Darth Vader. Anakin is utterly convinced that ''someone'' on the Jedi Council is the reason he's not getting the titles and accolades he ''deserves'', and this is ''before'' Palpatine starts his mind games. He's also thoroughly convinced of
Yoda's hated him from the moment they met.

* ''VideoGame/InjusticeGodsAmongUs'': In an alternate version of the DC Universe, after being tricked into killing his wife Lois Lane and nuking Metropolis by ComicBook/TheJoker, Superman establishes a dictatorship on Earth. He becomes ''hypersensitive'' to any criticism levied on him, responding with outright DisproportionateRetribution at times. [[SanitySlippage As time progressed]], he becomes a rage-fueled madman ranting about how [[UngratefulBastard "ungrateful"]] people are towards his rule and ignoring his own faults by passing on the blame to others. He even [[{{Yandere}} develops]] an obsession on Multiverse Lois [[LovingAShadow when told]] about it, even planning to [[AndNowYouMustMarryMe take her]] as his bride forcefully even if she won't like it and [[MurderingTheHypotenuse kill]] Multiverse Superman.

** The Riddler, for much the same reasons as Doom — he assumes that Batman and everyone else is jealous of his "obvious" intellectual superiority, and dismisses every defeat he's had as Batman somehow cheating.

** Batman himself is also frequently accused of being a paranoiac; how much this is true is a case of DependingOnTheWriter, but he has certainly demonstrated many paranoid traits, including a grim attitude, ControlFreak tendencies, JerkAss tendencies and a habit of resorting to violence to solve his problems, with some stories going so far as to imply that being the Batman is simply an excuse for Bruce to take revenge for the murder of his parents by beating the crap out of criminals every night. He also has a grim and bleak view of the society he lives in — mostly because that society [[WretchedHive is Gotham City]], and his explicit reason for choosing a bat as his gimmick is to scare the hell out of his enemies. [[SubvertedTrope However]], most stories portray him as fundamentally an idealist, who actually ''does'' trust his allies (just brutally aware that he lives in a world where MindControl, DemonicPossession, and exposed secret identities are all very real dangers) and who is actually an extremely humble man who has decided to sacrifice his life to the cause of saving others from the evil that took his family away from him. [[DoubleSubversion But then again]], considering [[Comicbook/JusticeLeagueOfAmericaTowerOfBabel some]] [[Comicbook/InfiniteCrisis of the]] [[Comicbook/DarkNightsMetal lenghts he’s gone to]] to spy on his allies without their consent and come up with plans to take them down behind their backs...

** Batman himself is also frequently accused of being a paranoiac; how much this is true is a case of DependingOnTheWriter, but he has certainly demonstrated many paranoid traits, including a grim attitude, ControlFreak tendencies, and a habit of resorting to violence to solve his problems, with some stories going so far as to imply that being the Batman is simply an excuse for Bruce to take revenge for the murder of his parents by beating the crap out of criminals every night. He also has a grim and bleak view of the society he lives in — mostly because that society [[WretchedHive is Gotham City]], and his explicit reason for choosing a bat as his gimmick is to scare the hell out of his enemies. [[SubvertedTrope However]], most stories portray him as fundamentally an idealist, who actually ''does'' trust his allies (just brutally aware that he lives in a world where MindControl, DemonicPossession, and exposed secret identities are all very real dangers) and who is actually an extremely humble man who has decided to sacrifice his life to the cause of saving others from the evil that took his family away from him. [[DoubleSubversion But then again]], considering [[Comicbook/JusticeLeagueOfAmericaTowerOfBabel some]] [[Comicbook/InfiniteCrisis of the]] [[Comicbook/DarkNightsMetal lenghts he’sgone to]] to spy on his allies without their consent and come up with plans to take them down behind their backs...

** Batman himself is also frequently accused of being a paranoiac; how much this is true is a case of DependingOnTheWriter, but he has certainly demonstrated many paranoid traits, including a grim attitude, ControlFreak tendencies, and a habit of resorting to violence to solve his problems, with some stories going so far as to imply that being the Batman is simply an excuse for Bruce to take revenge for the murder of his parents by beating the crap out of criminals every night. He also has a grim and bleak view of the society he lives in — mostly because that society [[WretchedHive is Gotham City]], and his explicit reason for choosing a bat as his gimmick is to scare the hell out of his enemies. [[SubvertedTrope However]], most stories portray him as fundamentally an idealist, who actually ''does'' trust his allies (just brutally aware that he lives in a world where MindControl, DemonicPossession, and exposed secret identities are all very real dangers) and who is actually an extremely humble man who has decided to sacrifice his life to the cause of saving others from the evil that took his family away from him.

* Red Alert in ''ComicBook/TheTransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye'', perhaps as a result of being {{Brainwashed}} a couple of times, perhaps not. At first, it looks like he's making progress, but then Rung gets shot (non-fatally) by accident and he goes quickly downhill until he attempts suicide, believing that whoever shot his therapist will come after him next. [[spoiler:There ''is'' [[ProperlyParanoid a conspiracy going on involving Rodimus]], and Red Alert had even stumbled on it. And in ''ComicBook/TheTransformersTitansRetur, it's revealed that the reason Red Alert is so paranoid was that millions of years ago, Sentinel Prime used shadowplay to turn him into a sleeper agent.]] Whirl also has a few traits of this, typically answering the door with a loaded gun even though he's on an Autobot ship and the war is over, but it's not as emphasised as Red Alert's.

Compare[=/=]contrast ProperlyParanoid (when the plot's conflict turns out to provide him with proof that it was a good thing to be paranoid), ImproperlyParanoid (when the plot's conflict is a result of the paranoiac jumping the gun and performing a hostile action because he ''believes'' it was a good thing to be paranoid, [[SelfFulfillingProphecy often leading to the very disaster he was trying to avoid\]), MisanthropeSupreme (when the result of being paranoid is hating everybody, probably escalating to planning on ''murdering'' everybody), and ParanoiaFuel (a specific flavor of NightmareFuel that makes otherwise-reasonable people into paranoid nutcases).

4. '''{{Jerkass}}''': The tendency to assume that the world is filled with malicious jerkasses ends up causing the paranoiac to act like a colossal jerkass themselves, the logic being "do unto others before they do unto you"[[note]]that big guy can't punch you in the face if his arm is broken or [[AnArmAndALeg missing]], now, can he?[[/note]]. They tend to be combative, hostile, and quarrelsome and detest laziness (esp. with regards to vigilance) and weakness in themselves and their families, friends, and anyone who is supposed to be on "their" side. Kindness is a deceptive ploy at best and weakness at worst, so outside of [[ManipulativeBastard manipulative]] behaviour or to buy[=/=]reward loyalty (if even that), they have no time for it. They [[BitchInSheepsClothing may try and hide it behind a pleasant facade]], but inside they are mean, angry, petty, and spiteful and believe that those who ''aren't'' are either weak, arrogant, or stupid. Many are outright ''proud'' of their cruel actions, as they conflate it with boldness, strength, and bravery. Paranoiacs who are also {{sociopath}}s or {{sadist}}s are amongst the most unpleasant and aggressive (if not outright criminal) people you are ever likely to meet.

Compare[=/=]contrast ProperlyParanoid (when the plot's conflict turns out to provide him with proof that it was a good thing to be paranoid), ImproperlyParanoid (when the plot's conflict is a result of the paranoiac jumping the gun and performing a hostile action because he ''believes'' it was a good thing to be paranoid), MisanthropeSupreme (when the result of being paranoid is hating everybody, probably escalating to planning on ''murdering'' everybody), and ParanoiaFuel (a specific flavor of NightmareFuel that makes otherwise-reasonable people into paranoid nutcases).

** An issue of ''ComicBook/TheBatmanAdventures'' shows Joe Chill living in paranoia-induced fear that the now grown-up Bruce Wayne could identify him as his parents' murderer, to the point where he begins to hallucinate random people as Bruce. Then when he learns that a detective who investigated the case kept a button he found at the murder scene, even though it's clear that the detective took it as a memento and not as evidence, Chill is utterly convinced that it could tie him to the crime and he resolves to kill the detective. [[spoiler: When he accidentally unmasks Batman during a struggle, he's so shocked at seeing Bruce Wayne under the mask that he mentally breaks and ends up falling off a balcony to his death. His last words to Bruce: ''"Why won't you go away?!"'' Bruce--[[UnknownRival who has no idea who Chill is]]--is left completely confused.]]

** Even before he became Darth Vader, Anakin Skywalker was increasingly becoming this over the course of ''Film/AttackOfTheClones'' and ''[[WesternAnimation/StarWarsTheCloneWars The Clone Wars]]'', culminating in his FaceHeelTurn in ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith''. He comes to believe that the Jedi are plotting to take over the Republic and that Padmé is planning to betray him (and may be cheating on him with Obi-Wan); neither of these is true. [[note]] Well, technically, the Jedi were intending to take control of the Republic, but this was only going to be a temporary thing whilst they dealt with Darth Sidious; they aren't just out for power as Anakin thinks. [[/note]] The inciting incident of his turn is also his fear that his wife will die based on a hazy Force vision (it turns out, [[SelfFulfillingProphecy he is the one that kills her]]). By the end of Episode III, he meets ''all seven'' criteria for this trope ([[NeverMyFault He tends to blame everyone but himself for things going wrong]], exacts DisproportionateRetribution on those he feels has wronged him, is suspicious over his wife and the Jedi, [[TookALevelInJerkass takes several levels in Jerkass]], turns into a ControlFreak who thinks totalitarianism is the only way to achieve peace, has a ''huge'' [[DudeWheresMyRespect ego]], becomes [[ItsAllAboutMe increasingly self-absorbed]], and [[ConspiracyTheorist thinks everyone is out to get him or is a traitor.]]

** And then there's Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge. When Harry and Dumbledore try to warn the wizarding world that Voldemort has returned, Fudge somehow convinces himself that they are not only lying but plotting to depose him and take control of the Ministry. (This is despite the fact that Dumbledore has no political ambition -- indeed, he's been offered the position of Minister for Magic several times and refused it every time. This is also despite the fact that Dumbledore told Fudge exactly what to do against Voldemort, promising him that he'd be remembered as the greatest minister ever if he took the necessary measures.) This leads Fudge to launch a year-long smear campaign against both Harry and Dumbledore and install his lackey Dolores Umbridge as Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts -- which leads to her becoming High Inquisitor and enacting increasingly draconian decrees to prevent students from learning self-defense or creating any unauthorized organizations. Ultimately, Fudge's actions backfire ''spectacularly'' when Voldemort finally reveals himself at the Battle of the Department of Mysteries in front of several Ministry officials, including Fudge himself. With the reveal that Fudge had suppressed the knowledge of Voldemort's return for a full year, the ensuing outrage from the entire wizarding community of the British Isles leads to him (and Umbridge) getting sacked. Instead of going down as one of the greatest Ministers for Magic, he is derided as an idiot and a failure.

* Sauron and Morgoth from the ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings'' verse both fit this disorder, particularly as they get progressively weaker over the Ages and increasingly spiteful, envious, controlling, petty, and grandiose as a direct result of that. Sauron especially, as by the end he simply wants to control absolutely everything and is completely enraged by ''any'' challenge to his authority.
* The novelization of ''Literature/RevengeOfTheSith'' makes it clear that Anakin Skywalker is slipping into chronic paranoia even before he falls to TheDarkSide and becomes Darth Vader. Anakin is utterly convinced that ''someone'' on the Jedi Council is the reason he's not getting the titles and accolades he ''deserves'', and this is ''before'' Palpatine starts his mind games. He's also thoroughly convinced Yoda's hated him from the moment they met.

** King Elhokar is constantly convinced people are trying to kill him, which is honestly understandable considering the assassination of his father. When his leather saddle girth snaps during a hunt (nearly resulting in him being killed by the [[{{Kaiju}} chasmfiend]]), he is absolutely convinced that it was intentionally cut by someone and refuses to hear anything to the contrary. [[spoiler:Sadeas realizes that Elhokar knows who cut the strap, which is why Sadeas doesn't use it to implicate Dalinar. Dalinar takes it a step further, realizing that Elhokar cut the strap himself because no one was taking his fears seriously.]]

* Paranoia is what caused [[Characters/FantasticFour Annihilus]] to become an OmnicidalManiac. He's always been terrified of dying, and while his Cosmic Control Rod means he can't die of natural causes, he can still be killed by others. Thus, his ultimate goal in life is to kill every living being in the universe, just in case any of them might kill him. This has rather predictably proven self-fulfilling; becoming a mass murderer out of paranoia that others would kill him has greatly increased the number of people who ''want'' Annihilus dead.

* ''WesternAnimation/TangledTheSeries'': [[spoiler: [[EvilFormerFriend Cassandra]]]] fits this trope to a T after her FaceHeelTurn, believing everyone in Corona were always mistreating her, not appreciating her, trying to steal her thunder, etc. against all evidence to the contrary. Ironically some of the things she believes (particularly the kingdom hating her and not appreciating her) [[SelfFulfillingProphecy become true as a result of her actions]], yet she never accepts this is the case until her VillainousBreakdown in the finale. Even before that, she was a [[TheResenter resentful]] cynic who thought LoveIsAWeakness because it makes you vulnerable.

* ''TangledTheSeries'': [[spoiler: [[EvilFormerFriend Cassandra]]]] fits this trope to a T after her FaceHeelTurn, believing everyone in Corona were always mistreating her, not appreciating her, trying to steal her thunder, etc. against all evidence to the contrary. Ironically some of the things she believes (particularly the kingdom hating her and not appreciating her) [[SelfFulfillingProphecy become true as a result of her actions]], yet she never accepts this is the case until her VillainousBreakdown in the finale. Even before that, she was a [[TheResenter resentful]] cynic who thought LoveIsAWeakness because it makes you vulnerable.

* Azula from ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'' becomes this at the second to last episode. [[spoiler: With Mai and Ty Lee's betrayal at Boiling Rock fresh on her mind, combined with new authority as Fire Lord, her deteriorating mind starts imagining the worst out of everybody combined with feeling like she might fail at her duties. This leads her to banish her servants, the imperial fire army, the Dai Li and even her servants, out of fear that they'll betray her like Mai and Ty Lee did. Ultimately brings about her downfall, as not only does she get defeated, her mind realizes that nobody is going to come for her now at this point, and she goes insane.]]