Regarding diagnostic criteria for paranoia (delusional disorder) today psychiatry usually refers to Kraepelin, suggesting that this diagnostic category has existed more or less unchanged since the end of the 19th century. But, reviewing German literature on this topic, one can find a lively discussion with regard to definition, development and course. In this context, the position of affective symptomatology - especially dysphoria with its various meanings - is of major interest. This paper aims at clarifying some definitory questions and at recalling the 'old' paranoia dispute which is worth rediscovering as a stimulation for modern classification and clinical practice. Copyright 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel