[imaginethat]

Paranoia is a frequent problem of mine. I thought I'd solved the problem by taking Latuda and practicing some self-help strategies, but it's back again.

The problem is that I hear or think I hear people saying hurtful things about me. For example, I might hear a coworker making fun of me with other coworkers. It sounds SOOOOO real, it's really hard for me to forget. Yet I don't want to confront them at the risk of sounding crazy.

My therapist came up with a self-help method. She said my paranoia stems from being hypervigilant in childhood to protect myself from dangerous circumstances. I imagine feelers on the top of my head that are being extra sensitive to detect possible danger in my current environment. Sometimes that helps -- just to realize that I'm being extra sensitive.

However, some times the voice sounds so real and hurtful that I can't let it go.

I've also tried meditation. Sometimes it works.

What do you do to get rid of paranoia? It can really hinder my productivity at work when I think coworkers are making fun of me. I feel like giving up and not working.

[bioChE]

Are your coworkers actually making fun of you?

[imaginethat]

I don't really know. It's such a mean thing to do, and immature, that I'd rather think they're not making fun of me. That's the only way I can live with this condition.

Originally Posted by bioChE

Are your coworkers actually making fun of you?

[Fuzzybear]

Originally Posted by imaginethat

I don't really know. It's such a mean thing to do, and immature, that I'd rather think they're not making fun of me. That's the only way I can live with this condition.

I think this makes sense, I was prescribed meds originally partly for perceived paranoia (features not full paranoia)..as well as severe anxiety, depression etc...although I have my doubts if this was accurate.. I just wasn't oblivious to obvious cruelty irl..(from the family of origin and some professionals). And also when depression is severe so can perceived paranoia be, sometimes.... but at work hopefully these people are mature enough not to stoop so low

I think your therapist's comment re needing to be hypervigilant in childhood was useful, sounds like a good therapist

[CobolCapsule]

I get paranoid to. I thought at one time there were people running away from me, when they were actually just running i guess.
I hate being paranoid, for it messes with your head too much. More than likely there is no reason for it, but it still exists whether something is true or not.

[Nix]

I can't get rid of my paranoia. I just try to utilize breathing techniques to control the panic and the sense that others are judging me or trying to hurt me. The more I can control my panic the less I feel crazy and out of control.

[Lost_in_the_woods]

Hi Imaginethat
Regardless, if what you think you are hearing is real or not it is still just as painful to endure. Nobody should feel bullied like that...
I have a question it's OK if you don't feel comfortable answering, but I think it may help to better gauge your present situation.

You say that this is not the first time you have experienced this issue at work. Did any of the past experiences happen leading up to and or during a psychotic break?
It's OK if you don't want to answer..I just am asking because you feel at that you are unsure if your coworkers are actually bad mouthing you or if you are just perceiving to hear mean things...
If you have had a previous psychotic break then if atm you are wavering on whether or not this bad mouthing is actually happening...then this maybe an early warning sign of the beginning of another break.. if you are able to detect early symptoms, inform your T or Pdoc asap and they may be able to tweak your meds and or do extra sessions and other coping tools, that could possibly prevent your paranoia from spiraling further down and avoid a full break. I hope that you find this post helpful...and that you are able to get some relief from the awful mean terrible things that you are hearing and the pain it is causing you
Be Well! and Keep Writing! ♡~S

[mossanimal]

I'm just curious... is there a difference between paranoia and psychosis in this case? Or can extreme paranoia cause psychosis? If a person is -hearing- things that are not happening??? I have no experience with paranoia at this level .. so just curious.

[Lost_in_the_woods]

Sorry didn't intend to come across as patronizing.
If the OP,s paranoia was unfounded in reality then yes it would be considered psychotic. But the OP doesn't state that there has been agreement on the coworkers actions or not. He is uncertain. And also when I used the term "Full Psychotic Break"...I was referring to a state far more severe then the OP is presently.
Mossanimal..I'm very sorry if my reply to this post upset you or anyone, or was misinterpreted as anything other then intended with was a compare and contrast list for the OP to use as a touch point to help with his/her query.
I would never intentionally offend or undermine any individual on this site or anywhere mossanimal..We has been subjected to extreme ostrasization and mean bullies our whole life because of our MI...so to be insinuated to be treating another in a less than 100% sincere manner by another turning my words into angry sarcasm is very hurtful..and unkind. We're just trying to help.

[Standup2me]

I get very paranoid when I am becoming manic.
I take three deep breaths and remind myself that the world does not revolve around me,
and that when people are talking that it is not always about me

But it is soooo hard to do sometimes

[Moose72]

I once thought people were after me. A van was following me everywhere I went.

imaginethat

My bouts of paranoia tend to be about feeling people can read my mind or being followed/spied on, so a little different, but my strategy is to try to reality check.

For instance, re: mind reading. If it were a real thing, surely it would be known. It would be a major deal, a breakthrough of some kind. Even IF such a thing could be kept secret, it's not as if it would be a widespread phenomenon (which would also make it being a secret even more wildly unlikely). Taken further, how likely would it be such a person were on the train with me? Not very! Even if all those wildly unlikely scenarios were somehow true, they'd have a cacaphony of input (they played with this scenario in the show Fringe, and the guy couldn't STAND to be near people -- the racket was overwhelming -- and yeah, it would be(!)) Let's even put THAT aside. While my thoughts may sometimes be interesting, there certainly not as interesting as all THAT(!)

Basically, it's taking the paranoid thought and taking it step by step into the absurd showing the ever increasing level of unlikelihood that it reflects reality.

It doesn't necessarily get rid of the thoughts, but it can help tone them down.

Another thing that might help is to remember that people pay WAY less attention than we think they do. They tend to be wrapped up in and worrying about their own stuff.

[imaginethat]

Lost in the woods, I don't know what you mean by psychotic break. I've never been hospitalized or on disability for paranoia. It's something I deal with using medication and self help activities.

I've been paranoid off and on for many weeks. Plan to talk to my psychiatrist about it tomorrow.

It is hard hearing these hurtful things. I do appreciate your empathy.

[imaginethat]

I do try to realize that most people aren't paying attention to me. It's really hard to do when I'm paranoid though. Those paranoid thoughts are so strong and overwhelming.

Originally Posted by Innerzone

imaginethat

Another thing that might help is to remember that people pay WAY less attention than we think they do. They tend to be wrapped up in and worrying about their own stuff.

[franz kafka]

I try to take a break from being in public, if only for a short while. Paranoia makes my anxiety spike and sometimes it helps to be alone.

[Lost_in_the_woods]

Originally Posted by imaginethat

Lost in the woods, I don't know what you mean by psychotic break. I've never been hospitalized or on disability for paranoia. It's something I deal with using medication and self help activities.

I've been paranoid off and on for many weeks. Plan to talk to my psychiatrist about it tomorrow.

It is hard hearing these hurtful things. I do appreciate your empathy.

Glad to hear that you have never gotten to the point of a full break or had to be hospitalized I do like your T's idea about thinking about your sensitivity to your environment as feelers or antennas. It's a comforting way to think about it.