Can a person be their own enemy? Even though we should feel safe in our own company, for a paranoid person, they may never feel at ease with themselves. We all experience insecurities a paranoid person experiences constant feeling that never goes away. Though there are different kinds of paranoia, most people perceive the world as a dangerous place to be. There is no known cause of paranoia and individuals experience it differently.
Anxiety and paranoia may be related, but they are not the same condition. Paranoia is an extreme case of anxiety. A paranoid person sees danger surrounding them and may have delusions that are not easy to break. With paranoia, you are likely to perceive conspiracy around your relations with others and attack others for the feelings. You may become offended easily and find it hard to cope with criticism. How can you deal with this condition?
Find a jury
Your friends can help you determine the degree of your delusions. Talking about your feelings to them can help you know if you are clinically paranoid. Since most people develop such symptoms depending on various situations, your friends can tell you if you need help or it is a normal condition that is temporary. Don’t conclude before getting a second opinion from those who know you.
Other people may not know the cause of your paranoia, but only you can find out through examining yourself. Studies reveal that this condition can be brought about by past painful life experiences that you may not have gotten over. Write down your feelings as you assess the intensity of what you feel.
Practice dialetic thinking
Being in public can make you judge things inaccurately if you are paranoid. With the help of a friend, they can help you practice dialetic thinking by asking them their views on something before reacting negatively towards others. This will help you think again about your perception so that you don’t jump into conclusions.
Develop a sense of self
Instead of attacking others based on your thoughts, start developing a sense of self to help you control your reactions. Don’t always assume that people are planning to harm you or are talking about you. Most of the times, all these thoughts are false but just a delusion in the head.
See the good in situations
In most cases, a paranoid person may not realize that they are mentally ill. They tend to believe that their thoughts are a reality without finding facts in situations. Instead of focusing on your negative thoughts, try to see the good in situations before confronting others.
You may be experiencing delusions due to substance abuse. Heaver drinkers sometimes get hallucinations. Statistics state that about 80% of cocaine users face paranoia. TN drug and alcohol treatment will help you fight drug addictions and get rid of symptoms of hallucinations.
People also assume that prescription drugs are safe to use. Taking high dosages of these pills can also make you paranoid. Stimulants such as caffeine are not healthy when taken in large quantities since they affect your sleeping patterns and can cause paranoia. Change your lifestyle and get assistance from a professional who can help you with such addictions.
Find an exit tactic
In a situation where you are in public and feel you can’t control your feelings, find a strategy to leave. You can excuse yourself or ask a friend to take you home. This will prevent the symptoms from getting out of hand and causing a scene in the midst of strangers.
Plan on how to handle triggers
It may not be possible to skip classes or work because of paranoia. You can, however, identify the common triggers so that you can know how to deal with them as you go on with your life. For instance, to feel at peace, if a particular area makes you feel in danger, start by avoiding it.
Distract your mind from paranoid thoughts
Not dwelling on things that make you feel paranoid can help you feel better. Hang out with friends and avoid being alone so that you can stop perceiving threats around you. Go out for walks or entertain yourself with music or a movie.
Sometimes, you may be too hard on yourself due to uncontrollable emotions. Instead of judging yourself, examine your thoughts to find out why you react the way you do in different situations. Self-judgment can cause depression and low self-esteem.
Watch out for symptoms of paranoid personality disorder
Check if your symptoms range from suspicion, bearing grudges, withdrawal from others, rage as well as hostility. Understanding your symptoms can help you determine the severity of your condition. This is because mental states differ and some people confuse anxiety with paranoia.
Take prescribed medication
A doctor can prescribe long-term medicines that can help you reduce the symptoms of paranoia. Ensure that you take the medication as prescribed as you go for medical check-ups regularly. A doctor can recommend a change in dosage according to your symptoms.
With the help of a therapist, you can determine if you are experiencing mild or severe paranoia. Therapy can help you comprehend your feelings as a journey to recovery. The wide range of treatment gives you the liberty to switch therapists if you feel you are not getting help from one. Your therapy session should make you feel comfortable so that you can open up to them. Being paranoid can make you develop trust issues, but a therapist is a confidential professional that you will not share your problems with others.
Even though it is normal to feel insecure, constant fear of the unknown is a sign of paranoia. Identifying the mental condition in its early stages can help you prevent it from worsening. Our mechanisms above will help you find your peace again as you address the issues making you feel paranoid. Do not face the problem on your own but raise it with others as you maintain a healthy lifestyle.