[Blue_Bird]

Does anyone else experience it? Not sure how I'm doing, I'm not depressed but I'm paranoid again. It briefly went away earlier but it's back again. I feel like people are plotting against me like a conspiracy and I'm being spied on. I'm not sure if I should bring this up to my therapist or not, it's kind of embarrassing It sounds funny but I'm being serious. It really bothers me because every time I start to get happy I get depressed because I'm paranoid about things and it makes me want to give up.

[AnxietyGirl916]

I've dealt with some mild paranoia. Mostly that people (coworkers, family members, etc) are talking about me, talking bad about me, etc. I think people (stangers) are staring at me and judging me in public, especially at the gym because I am way beyond overweight. I've been paranoid about my husband cheating on me or my boss being out to get me.

[BipolaRNurse]

Yep, got some paranoia here too. Right now it's because my workplace just hired a new part-time nurse and I'm afraid she's going to be my replacement, even though there have been no indications that I'm in any danger. It's just that I'm very limited in what I can do as a nurse anymore, and I was let go from a management job earlier this year so I've become very jittery and nervous about work in general.

I also get paranoid during episodes of mania, mostly I think people are looking at me and making fun of me, or they want to spoil my fun.

[IndieVisible]

I to get paranoid, from mild to serious. At the serious level I think conspiracies too. I've even got the the "Truman Show" syndrome even before the movie came out lol. Luckily the serious levels are few and far apart but the mild and moderate are fairly common. I've pretty much stayed the same for the past 30 years so I'm not too worried about getting worse. I never brought up how seriously paranoid I get, but have mentioned I do get mildly paranoid. I don't want to be over med.

I tend to get more paranoid when I am on the way up. Its one of my warning signs. Usually I am thinking that people are trying to get me to go to hospital, they are trying to trigger me and trap me so I am locked up and they can control me.. I also think people are stealing from me or planning to steal from me, I hid all my money and when I was smoking I'd hide my cigarettes. Sometimes I think smoke alarms are cameras and people are filming me and watching me. Glad it hasnt happened for a long while

[Victoria'smom]

I am thinking that people are trying to get me to go to hospital, me too

I've been told paranoia can be be a result of high anxiety. Definitely tell your therapist.

[ultramar]

every time I start to get happy I get depressed

Do you feel that you don't deserve to be happy? Just a thought, if maybe there's a pattern here.

[ultramar]

Can anyone explain what the difference is between 'clinical paranoia' and suspiciousness or self-esteem issues (i.e. thinking people don't like you, etc.) -I think what are called 'cognitive distortions' versus 'clinical' (re psychotic) paranoia?

It's confusing, because when I think of the word paranoia, I think of all-out psychosis. But, on the other hand, being 'paranoid' is a word/experience used in every day life, by people without mental illness, as well. How do you tell the difference?

[Blue_Bird]

Originally Posted by ultramar

every time I start to get happy I get depressed

Do you feel that you don't deserve to be happy? Just a thought, if maybe there's a pattern here.

Yes this is exactly how I feel, I never feel like I deserve to be happy. I'm not really sure why but I've always felt this way

this is certainly not clinical by any means, I'm just thinking this. Maybe the cognitive distortion would be more like, nobody likes me, I'm unlikeable vs. clinical maybe more like everybody is out to get me, harm me . I don't know if that makes sense or not. Just my thought.

[Blue_Bird]

Originally Posted by emomom

this is certainly not clinical by any means, I'm just thinking this. Maybe the cognitive distortion would be more like, nobody likes me, I'm unlikeable vs. clinical maybe more like everybody is out to get me, harm me . I don't know if that makes sense or not. Just my thought.

I understand, I think it's a mixture of both. I will try to talk to my therapist about it tomorrow though, I've calmed down since yesterday

[BipolaRNurse]

Originally Posted by ultramar

Can anyone explain what the difference is between 'clinical paranoia' and suspiciousness or self-esteem issues (i.e. thinking people don't like you, etc.) -I think what are called 'cognitive distortions' versus 'clinical' (re psychotic) paranoia?

It's confusing, because when I think of the word paranoia, I think of all-out psychosis. But, on the other hand, being 'paranoid' is a word/experience used in every day life, by people without mental illness, as well. How do you tell the difference?

I like this! Never thought about it that way---I would definitely prefer to think of my mild 'paranoia' as a cognitive distortion rather than a form of psychosis. Nice to know that it's not necessarily pathological. Thank you! You always seem to make such logical and reasoned posts, and I for one appreciate that.

[naejannej]

Originally Posted by AnxietyGirl916

I've dealt with some mild paranoia. Mostly that people (coworkers, family members, etc) are talking about me, talking bad about me, etc. I think people (stangers) are staring at me and judging me in public, especially at the gym because I am way beyond overweight. I've been paranoid about my husband cheating on me or my boss being out to get me.

i experience the same sort of constant mild paranoia.

Originally Posted by ultramar

Can anyone explain what the difference is between 'clinical paranoia' and suspiciousness or self-esteem issues (i.e. thinking people don't like you, etc.) -I think what are called 'cognitive distortions' versus 'clinical' (re psychotic) paranoia?

It's confusing, because when I think of the word paranoia, I think of all-out psychosis. But, on the other hand, being 'paranoid' is a word/experience used in every day life, by people without mental illness, as well. How do you tell the difference?

I would consider most in this thread to be cognitive distortions rather than actual clinical paranoia. I'd say most brought up in this thread can be addressed with talk therapy. I also use the word "paranoid" a lot when not referring to mental illness. We joke about paranoia all the time.