If you have paranoia...?!
Question: if you have paranoia, how does it affect you? what are you paranoid about? are you seeing anything going wrong physically - like be exhausted, body aches, or feeling tired but not being able to sleep because you're up all night wondering what could go wrong?
i'm very curious about this. i am going through a tough time, with severe depression, social anxiety disorder, and now paranoia. i'm always afraid the worst is going to happen to me, like being horribly embarrased about something i did in the past, people watching my every move, people posting things about me on the internet, ect.
and i just wanted to know how you guys take it, and how it's been affecting you. because, honestly, i'm starting to feel like the only one. =/
Answers: if you have paranoia, how does it affect you? what are you paranoid about? are you seeing anything going wrong physically - like be exhausted, body aches, or feeling tired but not being able to sleep because you're up all night wondering what could go wrong?
i'm very curious about this. i am going through a tough time, with severe depression, social anxiety disorder, and now paranoia. i'm always afraid the worst is going to happen to me, like being horribly embarrased about something i did in the past, people watching my every move, people posting things about me on the internet, ect.
and i just wanted to know how you guys take it, and how it's been affecting you. because, honestly, i'm starting to feel like the only one. =/
I'd recommend the book "It's not all in your head". It's sort of for hypochondria, but I've found it also helps me with my anxiety and paranoia.
I'm always checking the locks. And I compulsively check behind my bed and in my closet. Like, 15 times in a half hour. I'm in a bit of down mood right now, and the paranoia definitely gets worse when I'm not happy. I'll get flashes of things I did when I was little, and be filled with all sorts of shame that someone might remember. It's awkard feeling. I hate it.
You are definitely not alone. Try to pick up a calming hobby. I knit when I'm worried, because it's mindless and busies my hands so that I don't run around checking behind all the shower curtains.
I get paranoid if some 1 looks at me i always think they are calling me. i also didnt used to be able to ask for something in a shop incase i sounded stupid and every1 would start laughtin at me. i always panic tht something is gonna happen to me wen im in a public place.
You dont have to be afraid that the worse will happen, because it usually does.
But i just started not caring what others think.
Paranoia is a symptom of other disorders, but more it is a style of distorted thinking.
It is best treated with CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). For instance:
You say people are watching your every move. That is an example of distorted thinking.
Are they watching your every move? Are there lots of people watching you and tracking you or did someone watch you do something once and you are now creating something bigger from it?
A non-distorted version of that same sentence: Someone watched me do something. Now, look at the differences and sit for a moment and take inventory of your view versus what you KNOW to be the truth.
On a scale of 1-10, how much do you believe that someone watched you do something? On a scale of 1-10 how much do you believe that there is more than just one person who is watching you do more than one thing?
How much did you believe it before versus how much you believe it now?
Just this exercise is what you need to be able to combat your distorted thoughts. Do it for each and every one of the distortions.
Check out a book by David Burns called the Feeling Good book - it will help you with all of the above!
I almost got raped when I was little, and I still have complexes for older men. I'm sometimes very paranoid when I'm alone and it is dark. I take out the knife and I think that someone will break in to the house and kill me. I have problems sleeping at night. But I don't only think paranoid thoughts. I think about all kinds of things. But I am paranoid. And therefor a bit hostile. Ok very hostile. I want to take the knife with me every time I go out, but I'm afraid that someone will accidentally push me and the knife will hurt me. I think all kinds or over dramatic and bloody thoughts. It's not fun being me.