how can i overcome paranoia?

i get very tensed whenever i see my friends whispering. i'd always think they're talking about me. i'd feel embarrassed or ashamed. sometimes if i can't fight them to defend myself. i learn to hold grudges. how can i overcome this?

Hi, bhugz. ^^

I am really familiar with paranoia, as it affects my life everyday, although the reasons for mine are different from yours.

One thing that may work in your case, is to try not to WORRY about whether or not they are talking about you. Even if they ARE talking about you, it doesn't meant they are saying anything negative.

As well, people who gossip, are often people that you shouldn't trust with anything that could be used to "hurt" you. Be careful who you divulge private information to - if the gossipers have no "ammunition" to use against you, their whispering is meaningless, and should ease your mind as to WHAT they are whispering about.

Those two tips should hopefully keep you somewhat emotionally safer from negative whispers.

The one thing you cannot control, and this actually happened to me while I was in High-School, is if your "friends" whisper LIES about you to other people. Then it is a matter of your word against theirs, in most cases. If something like that is happening now, or ever happens to you, know that the "whisperers" are NOT your friends, and stay strong against the lies told about you - YOU know what the truth is, so stick to your guns and be true to yourself. YOU are what matters, and if you know the truth in your heart, then you hold all the cards.

(((((bhugz)))))

Please take care. ^^

You do not know what people are whispering about, so feeling that they are whispering about you is just a story your head is making up. So, whenever you find yourself thinking those thoughts, try to remind yourself that you have no idea what those people are talking about. It's very hard to banish those kinds of thoughts, but the more you keep telling yourself that it is not facts, but just thoughts in your head, the easier it is to not let them rule you.

Good luck.
*hugs*
mj