Paranoia

[Julnar]

I have this dreadful feeling that people are watching me all the time and making judgements about me. I accept this is paranoid thinking, but does anyone have any suggestions for dealing with such frightening thoughts? I'd appreciate some help and guidance.

[China-Doll]

I take it you're not a massive recreational drug taker? (Just to clear that one up first because if you are I think I see the problem and the solution is pretty easy).

Paranoia is usually a sympton of something else in my experience. I can get quite paranoid if I'm feeling particularly low. The fact that when you're low and you're vulnerable and probably giving yourself a very hard time, you don't have much of a perspective to realise that other people can't actually see right through you to what's going on inside your head.

Of course there is the flip side of the coin which is if someone does notice you for long enough they will make a judgement on you, we all do it all the time with people we see. It's generally a conscious thought instantly loss and quite shallow, nice shoes, that outfit looks dreadful etc...

Ultimately, mostly, people just don't care or notice enough aobut others to really be watching or judging you for any length of time, you're just projecting. Best thing to do when you catch yourself having these thoughts is to turn them around, either look at why you're thinking them or just take a deep breath and close your eyes til the wave passes. If it gets to much, see your GP.

[Julnar]

Thanks China Doll. I'm not a drug user so it's not substance related. I am feeling very low and self critical at the moment, though.

[China-Doll]

Then you are probably just projecting your own negative thoughts about yourself in to the imagined opinions of others.

You need to have a look at what's making you so low and try and deal with that, the paranoia is just a sympton (admittedly a rather nasty one). If you're that low it might be worth going to have a chat to the GP and see if there's a way of stablising out your mood (anti-depressants, counselling) until you're able to dead with how low you feel. I think Cognitive Behavioural Therapy endevers to re-channel negative thoughts too but I don't know so much about that, it might be worth asking about.

Either way, give yourself a bit of a break and learn to recognise what it is you're doing when you have these thoughts, they'll still happen but won't completely overpower you if you know what they actually are and why you're having them.

[Julnar]

Thanks China Doll. I appreciate your help. I know I have to keep these thoughts in proportion and not beat myself up so much. Thanks again.

[coccinelle]

I go through those phases too Julnar but have put it down to hormonal unbalance (going through menopause in my instance).
If you have a low opinion of yourself you'll automatically think others do too but as Chinadoll says, most people are getting on with their stressful lives they haven't got time nor interest in anybody else's. Greet everyone with a smile no matter how you're feeling and they'll smile back and make you feel good. HTH

[tinkerbell23]

probs your doc would be able to advise you? i went through a low phase and he gave me tablets for 1 month i didnt want antidepressants because im a bit wary of them ! not sure what i was givn.....mabye even some kalms would help you theyre herbal?xxxxxxx best wishes

[Eve]

Cognitive therapy is great for this (can also recommend Kalms tablets).

Rationalising is the most obvious way forward. Whenever you have such a though try and train yourself to stpe back and rationalise.

Then have a break, take a deep breath and think positive :)

[Julnar]

Thank you all for your positive and helpful answers. I will give Kalms a try.

[Bettypat]

Julna - are you thinking bad thoughts about other peope - no of course you are not - you are not that interested - you take people for what they are. They are the same as you - they are not thinking ill of you. They may worry about your welfare from time to time and wonder if they can help you - but what good would it do them to have such negative thoughts. Remember you are as good as everyone else so there is no need for anyone to criticize you. Think good of others and they will think good of you. Hope you soon feel better - I will be thinking of you - in a good way, of course.
Love to you - hope you are soon feeling better.