Overly Paranoid

Just_Ice

Hey everyone,

I’ve had this problem for awhile now but it seems to be getting increasingly worse and I’m wondering does anyone else have experience of it/ how they cured it etc..

The problem is I’m extremely paranoid. For example, when I’m walking down the street I become really paranoid that pedestrians and people in cars are going out of their way to stare at me/ talk about me/ judge me etc. I then become really self conscious and try to avoid eye contact if at all possible, I start worrying that maybe there’s something wrong with me/ I look odd etc. I become really anxious and speed up to get to my destination, just to get out of the situation.

Another thing that makes me paranoid/ anxious are shops and shopping centres in general. If I’m in a shop I always feel like the cashier is staring at me and thinks I’m going to rob their shop or something. I again become really anxious and worried.

Certain situations really drive my paranoia through the roof like going to the hairdressers – I really dread it because I always think the hairdressers are talking about me behind my back and don’t like me. I realise it’s irrational but I can’t seem to shift the thought.

Also eating in public. I obviously can eat in public, but Ih ave to shiftily glance around before I drink or eat anything to see ifanyone is watching me. And I hate going anywhere by myself, like for example whenever possible I will ask a friend/friends to accompany me to the shop.

It’s become debilitating at this stage, I even become paranoid at this stage when there wouldn’t be that many people around. And strangely enough the sunny weather we’re getting over the past few days seems to be making it worse...

Sorry if this post is terribly long, any replies are appreciated.

Brego888

This is too significant a mental health problem to get the help you need from here.

Severe social anxiety > go to GP > may start anti depressant or anxiolytic medications > refer for Psychiatric assessment.

You need to try and grab the bull by the horns here and seek some help. Get to your GP asap

December2012

I also suggest you seek medical advice.

stop animal cruelty

Think about counselling also, I use be like that. It has to be down to something & a counsellor or you're doctor will have to get to the root of it. And they will. If you can, at all, try not to get more paranoid about this. You need to talk to someone about ASAP.