[knowswatcher]

My husband was diagnosed with bipolar. I think sometimes he acts way paranoid. Whenever I get a phone call, he has to know who it is on the phone. When the phone rings he has to make some comment about it ringing. I can hear it.
It’s not like I’m hiding anything from him, the only people who call or text me are family. He keeps his phone on silent and always hides it. I wonder if he’s hiding something from me.
Or is he just paranoid?

[Odee]

Paranoia can definitely arise from bipolar but it could be a psychological issue of insecurity. The insecurity could also arise secondarily from the struggles with bipolar.

[Dragonfly33]

For me personally, I can be paranoid when I am depressed and/or stressed but I am generally not paranoid about the people who are extremely close to me that understand and support me. (I count those on one hand)

I don't hide anything from him, I'm bipolar, there isn't much to hide. He's free to go through anything he wants of mine and vice versa.

I hope that helps.

[Cocosurviving]

Originally Posted by Odee

Paranoia can definitely arise from bipolar but it could be a psychological issue of insecurity. The insecurity could also arise secondarily from the struggles with bipolar.

Very true

[hamster-bamster]

Does not have it be. Some people have it and others do not.

[Darth Bane]

i was paranoid when i was depressed... i also hated phone calls.. always afraid of someone on other end... as if that person is gonna shout at me or something... i also didnt like loud noises then... even like closing of doors... it was simply the worst time in my life...

[Darth Bane]

and yes, i also kept my phone on silent, sometimes just switched it of

[bluemountains]

The only time I feel paranoid is when I am hypomanic. I worry, sometimes too much, that I am being too loud, talking too fast, etc. I usually ask a friend to a keep a check on me.
Bluemountains

I get really worried about people who are close around me when I am in a mixed state. I can totally relate to what he is doing.... it's just different hearing it from the other side.

[faerie_moon_x]

I have a lot of issues with paranoia, and not just small things but big things. I think the one big thing about paranoia is you need to learn reality checking. Being able to step back and say "is this possible or not." Reality checking can be extremely hard because with things like paranoia you often also have what is called lack of insight. So, things appear perfectly logical to you, but it's actually not.

My husband helps me a lot with my reality checking. Perhaps it is frustrating, but if he's paranoid about phone calls, you can let him know who is on the phone. Caller ID and such. The other direction, he may not be hiding anything from you. But, yes, paranoia can go that way to. Perhaps he thinks people are after him.

My advice is to be transparant with him. Show him you're trustworthy constantly, but keep track of his paranoia. If he is acting paranoid about you personally or it gets worse (starts talking about things like people being after him, bugging his phone, etc,) that's something that needs to be adressed with his doctor.