Yes, it is challenging being hyper aware, and it isn't really being paranoid, there is a difference. Typically people who are hyper aware in the way you are describing actually "do" have a history where they were verbally abused, and the danger was "real". So, what results is the person becomes very guarded and can express themselves to others in a manner that only sends the wrong messages, yet the person with PTSD isn't realizing it. If people get quiet when you walk into a room, that doesn't mean they were talking about you, it just means they were most likely discussing things they just didn't want "anyone" else to hear. It is important for you to pay attention to your thoughts and make sure that you haven't formed a habit of automatically assuming people don't like you, are out to destroy or hurt you, or are talking about you.

That being said, what is most likely also taking place is that you are also picking up on how society overall right now is challenged with "trust issues" because of the media and the political environment where there really "is" a lot of suspicions and negative talk taking place. The thing to remember is that the PTSD always "magnifies" so it is important to develop self talk where you keep reminding yourself of that and self sooth, self calm, and make a conscious decision to "let go". When I say "let go", what I mean by that is to work on realizing that "most" people worry like you do on some level, so make a decision that some of that is normal, and then work on whatever it is that bothers you, practice desensitizing and rationalizing and learning to defuse by making the constant conscious decision that your motives are fine, you are not a danger to others and you are just going to move forward with less worry. That will send a signal of ease to others too.

It would be good for you to look into CBT and DBT, because these therapies help you do just what I am advising, these therapies help you develop better responses when you struggle so that you send out better messages to others which gives you better reactions that are different from whatever messages you have sent out that put you into a repetitive struggle.

The challenge with PTSD is that people who struggle with it have been traumatized in some way and that trauma has profoundly affected them
and they really "are" much more sensitive. The healing IMHO, comes with
"time" and the right kind of therapy and slowly mourning whatever was lost,
working through it, and learning how to develop "new" skills. Each person
is going to be different depending on their back ground and whatever their
skill set has been. Healing just doesn't happen overnight either, the person
struggling has to understand that and not fall into "self blame, shame, and self sabotaging". Unfortunately, when someone is struggling with PTSD, the nature of the disorder really can lead a person to feeling it is their fault somehow and the "anger" that is often present "can" be turned inward.
It is very important to recognize this and whenever it takes place "commit"
to "patience and self care" just as you would with any other illness or injury.
Be dedicated, even when it gets very challenging, because as you concentrate
on "self care, patience, forgiving self, and consistently making conscious decisions to "keep trying", and again PATIENCE with self, you will begin to
make "gains".


OE