Attachment and Paranoia

Dr Monica Sood’s research focuses on the relationship between attachment and paranoia, both in the general population and clinical groups with psychosis. Monica’s work explores how insecure attachment—when individuals struggle to form secure emotional bonds with others—can lead to paranoid thinking. Her studies suggest that people with insecure attachment styles often struggle with unhelpful thought patterns (like being unable to ‘step back’ from thoughts) and difficulties managing emotions (like ruminating when something bad happens) which can maintain or worsen paranoid thoughts.

This research can be used to inform and improve current psychological therapies, like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), to improve outcomes for individuals with psychosis. For example, helping people manage difficult emotions and thoughts may reduce paranoia.

Monica has also focused on how we can reduce paranoid thoughts using visualisation tasks that bring about feelings of safety and security with others. Her research shows that when people with paranoia from the general population imagine being with someone who makes them feel safe and secure, their paranoia levels decrease. Monica is now testing this in a clinical group with psychosis.

In her current role as a Postdoctoral Fellow funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), Monica is using her research to develop tools to help people with paranoia manage difficult thoughts and feelings, tailored for people with insecure attachment styles​.

Dr Monica Sood, PhD is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the School of Psychology, Centre for Innovation in Mental Health and Centre for Research on Self and Identity. Her research is funded by the ESRC, South Coast DTP.