[Darlingminx]

I was wondering if any of you get paranoid, what type of mood are you in and what's it like?
I usually get paranoid in mixed states.
I feel driven to go shopping because I feel like I need to buy something, sometimes it's specific and others I don't have a goal in mind, but as soon as I get to the stores I start to feel paranoid.
It feels like everyone is watching me because they suspect me of something or because I disgust them and they are furious that I am there, as if their expressions of loathing should clearly be enough of a hint to make me leave. Sometimes I hear them laughing at me or saying degrading things.
Even though I know it sounds ridiculous and it's illogical I can't stop myself from feeling like it's 100% real. I always end up leaving, forcing myself to walk not run, and sometimes I can't feel my feet while simultaneously the smooth floors feel bumpy so I feel like I m going to fall over.
I try to avoid shopping alone when I feel like that or if need to go I take a list and make it as quick as possible and talk or text on my phone during the trip.

[cmorales]

YES!!!

When I'm mixed, I tend to get crazy paranoid. I'm a runner, so (especially when I'm mixed) I tend to take off to "escape" the situation; and as much as I know I shouldn't, I drive away. Driving while symptomatic is a dumb idea, but as you know, we're not thinking clearly. Anyway, I always feel as though another driver is going to hurt me on purpose if I don't drive fast enough and yet that the cops will get me if I drive too fast.

Luckily I don't go full-on delusional when mixed (or have yet to), only when manic.

But I can totally relate to people in stores thinking you're up to no good. More than once I've walked into the local grocery store and within seconds of me entering, over the loud speaker they say, "Security check all cameras." Not a good thing to hear right after walking into a store when paranoid.

[pirilin]

Sorry, no.

[Spaceyspace]

I get paranoid. I think people are looking at me suspiciously or with anger, listening in on my conversations. I sometimes think cars are following me. I will feel watched in some way. It happens when my mood is off either way.

[gina_re]

Yes, at my last job, I swore everyone was talking about me behind my back. It wasn't really the case but I believed it to be the absolute truth. Not sure if that is the same thing, but that's all I can think of.

[SpasticBliss]

One thing I've always hated to hear is when I tell someone I'm extremely paranoid and they say, "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean there aren't people out to get you."

I recently came to my own conclusion that there is nothing more suspicious than a paranoid person.

So, how am I excepting and living with pretty bad paranoia? I think, wow, this sucks and it's scary as hell and it might really be happening. It's the unknown that is scaring us.

Just realize that no, you're not crazy, some people are going to think you look suspicious, but if you're not stealing anything, let them follow you around and try to scare you! Just don't be afraid, say oh well. Then, you won't look suspicious anymore and it's over, real or not!!

It's inevitable, when in public or at work or even just having more than one friend, yes, people will talk about you. But what are they saying and why are they saying it? Well, you may never know. It's the unknown. Trying to guess will only make you more paranoid. So try really hard to stop coming up with all the possibilities.

Once I said something I thought was funny, but then realized it's actually true and this made me feel better. What I said was, "I'd rather people talk behind my back than saying the mean things directly to my face, that would be scary."

So, yes, paranoia sucks. But if it's based in even the slimmest amount of possibility, then you have to work around the fact: It does not matter!