What makes you paranoid

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Paranoia is the feeling that you are under threat in some way, such as people are watching or out to get you, even if there is no evidence that this is true. Although it is not uncommon to have these thoughts and feelings from time to time, it can sometimes reflect a mental illness. Understanding what is paranoia can help you decide how to cope with or get treatment for it. Paranoia can take many different forms, including:. These are just examples of how paranoia can be experienced.

Paranoid feelings are a normal part of the human experience and are particularly common among people who are vulnerable or at times of extreme stress. For example, when you're walking alone late at night, you might believe you are being followed or watched, even if you are not; if you're under a lot of stress, you might think people are deliberately undermining you; or when you haven't had enough sleep, you might develop unrealistic paranoid ideas, simply because you are tired and your brain is not performing at its best.

These paranoid feelings generally are not a cause for concern and will go away once the situation is over. When paranoia is outside of the range of normal human experiences, it can become problematic. The two most common causes of problematic paranoia are mental health conditions and drug use.

Paranoia can be a feature of many mental health diagnoses, including depression and bipolar disorder , but it is most commonly associated with psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia. Paranoia is also the defining characteristic of paranoid personality disorder and the paranoid type of delusional disorder.

While paranoia is a symptom that can be part of a number of conditions, many people typically associate paranoia with:. It can be difficult to diagnose paranoia, as it is not only a symptom of many conditions, but people experiencing paranoia may try to avoid doctors, hospitals, and other medical settings and may not recognize that they have paranoid thoughts.

A doctor may then require a person to complete psychological tests, blood tests, and scans. This can help a doctor to rule out other possible causes for the symptoms. If paranoid thoughts are causing distress or are a symptom of a mental health condition, the following treatments may be beneficial:.

Evidence suggests that potential complications of paranoia may involve :. If a person suspects they may be experiencing paranoid thoughts, they may wish to seek help. Initially, it may be beneficial to keep a diary and question their paranoid thinking.

People may also want to confide in someone they trust, try to manage their stress, and try other healthy behaviors, such as a healthful diet, regular exercise, and getting sufficient sleep. If paranoia begins to disrupt daily life, a person should consider speaking with a doctor or mental health professional. While this idea may seem daunting, a person should realize that medical professionals will not intend to harm them, and are instead there to provide them with support, manage symptoms, and reduce distress.

Paranoia refers to an irrational thought process that causes people to exhibit an extreme mistrust or suspiciousness of others. While research is unclear, evidence suggests that genetics, brain chemistry, trauma, and stress likely play a role. It can be difficult to diagnose, and people may be hesitant to seek help due to their doubts about other people. Certain therapies and medications may help to manage and reduce paranoid thoughts. Some people feel like others hate them, even when they do not.

There are many potential causes of this feeling. Solutions include resolving the…. In this article, learn about hypervigilance. People with paranoid thoughts can find it hard to trust a doctor or mental health professional, and may have difficulty accepting treatment.

Developing a positive relationship with a health provider may take time, but can lead to recovery. Psychotherapy including cognitive behaviour therapy can be helpful for mild cases of paranoia or paranoid personality disorder. This can help a person to develop insight into the condition, cope with symptoms and develop a more realistic view of the motives of others.

For conditions such as psychosis, schizophrenia or delusional disorders, the main treatment is medicine. These conditions are now more treatable than ever before, and many new antipsychotic medicines are available. These conditions usually require treatment by a psychiatrist. Psychotherapy, rehabilitation or support groups may also be effective in conjunction with medicine. If you think a person is in immediate danger from suicide , call triple zero immediately or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.

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