Hi Ply:

First of all, I think it is hugely brave of you to share your concern here, in light of your suspicions that other people might use information against you. I don't have direct experience with paranoid disorder, but we have sought information from our psychologist about it because we are worried that my husband's mother is pretty entrenched in it now. All her life, she has been fleeing jobs, relationships, family, friends -- because she develops suspicions that they are somehow out to get her -- to fire her, to ruin her reputation, to steal from her, etc. You get the idea. There is always a conspiracy, it seems. It is very sad to think of how she must be feeling. We cannot talk with her about it because she gets suspicious wanting to know why we are asking. So, we took the situation to our therapist, who concluded that it most definitely sounds like a clinical case, but unfortunately the nature of the disorder makes treatment very difficult for people who don't believe that it is a disorder.

That's great that you are open to outside perspectives. I would definitely contact a psychologist and see if there is anything they can do. Ours said that if my husband's mom was open to therapy, there are relaxation techniques she could learn, as well as some tools to evaluate whether suspicion is reasonable or not. I think there is hope if you get help!

Best of luck to you,
LMo