Querulous paranoia: diagnosis and dissent.

The possible misuse of psychiatric diagnosis for political and social purposes not originally intended as coming within the domain of diagnostic categories is reviewed. One such example, the category of querulous paranoia, is described in terms of both diagnostic criteria and actual applications. Possible applications and potential for abuse of this classification are noted also, particularly with regard to the classification including reactions to actual, as well as imagined, persecution. The relationship between the use of the concept of querulous paranoia and psychiatric abuse, as well as points of difference are discussed.