PARANOIA : You constantly feel like people are out to get you or threaten you in some way.

Paranoia: You feel suspicious about every little thing in life. You would characterize yourself as someone who jumps to conclusions often, usually without evidence .

If this describes you, you may be wondering if you are paranoid and, if so, what that means.

It is common to experience feelings of paranoia from time to time, especially during periods of stress and upheaval.

Sometimes paranoid feelings are characteristic of a mental health disorder, such as schizophrenia or paranoid personality disorder.

Let’s take a look at what you should do if you’re feeling paranoid and how you can start feeling better.

What is paranoia?

Paranoia is characterized by feelings of suspicion or impending threat, but without credible evidence that something bad is about to happen.

People who experience paranoia

People who experience paranoia may feel like they are “ on edge ” or that they are constantly looking over their shoulder .

They may find it very difficult to trust others and often believe that the people they interact with have an ulterior motive.

Although paranoia is often linked to serious mental health conditions such as psychosis , schizophrenia , and paranoid personality disorder, milder forms of paranoia are common in the general population and can become chronic.

Paranoia can make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships and can make you feel stressed and anxious.

What does paranoia feel like?

Paranoia can be described as a general distrust of people, institutions, and even governments. People who experience paranoia may be afraid of many things, but most of the time, there is no real reason for them to be afraid. Paranoia is characterized by irrational fears – believing things that aren’t true.

Some of the symptoms of paranoia include:

• Feeling suspicious of everyone and everything.
• Having difficulty trusting that others are telling you the truth.
• Feeling that people or institutions have hidden agendas
• Having difficulty forgiving people
• Being prone to believing conspiracy theories
• Feeling like everyone is out to get you, but not taking responsibility for your own actions.
• Feeling easily betrayed and taken advantage of
• Feelings of self-importance and not being able to accept criticism.
• Experiencing intense feelings of anger.
• Always arguing and feeling defensive.
• Feeling anxious and hypervigilant

What causes paranoia?

While paranoia can be part of a serious mental illness, it is also a common emotional state in the general population. It is common to have moments in life when you trust others less or suspect that people are not being completely honest with you.

Mild to moderate feelings of paranoia may be triggered by difficult social situations, times of significant life stress, or abuse and trauma.

Paranoia can also have medical origins

People with a history of brain injury or epilepsy may experience paranoia as a side effect.

A person experiencing memory loss, dementia, or Alzheimer’s disease may also show signs of paranoia.

Certain recreational drugs can trigger feelings of paranoia. For example, amphetamine and marijuana can cause paranoid thoughts.

Cocaine , ecstasy and alcohol can have similar effects, and these effects can be amplified when someone withdraws from these substances.

More severe paranoia can be debilitating and is characteristic of certain mental health conditions, including psychosis and personality disorders.

The following conditions may include symptoms:

• Delusional disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Schizoaffective disorder
• Paranoid personality disorder
• Psychotic disorder

Additionally, people who live with depression, have low self-esteem, or exhibit dysfunctional emotional regulation strategies may be more likely to experience paranoia.

What to do if you think you are paranoid

If you or someone you love is experiencing heightened feelings of paranoia, it is important to first visit a healthcare provider to rule out any underlying medical problems, including brain damage , reactions to drugs or medications, or other cognitive problems.

If your healthcare provider thinks you may be experiencing a mental health condition, he or she may refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist for a diagnosis.

Diagnosis

To find out what may be causing your feelings of paranoia, your health care provider or psychiatrist may ask you a series of medical questions, inquire about your family history, and ask you to list any medical problems you have had or medications or drugs you are taking.

Blood tests may be performed and other diagnostic tests may be required as needed.

Treatment for paranoia

If it’s due to a medical problem, such as a brain injury or memory problem, your health care team will come up with a plan to address it.

If you are taking drugs that are causing your symptoms, you may need help to cut back on your use and possibly receive treatment for substance addiction.

Psychiatric problems , such as schizophrenia, delusional disorder, and paranoid personality disorder, require psychiatric care.

Medications, such as antipsychotic drugs , may be indicated  and are usually combined with psychotherapy and group therapy . Sometimes, specialized care in a psychiatric facility may be necessary.

Coping with feeling paranoid

Many people experience paranoia that can’t be attributed to a medical problem or serious psychiatric condition. But that doesn’t mean that feelings of paranoia have to be something you just live with or manage.

Paranoid feelings are often related to chronic stress, recent or past trauma, difficulties with social situations, or low self-esteem. 10 All of these are treatable with counseling or therapy.

Your therapist can help you understand why you feel the way you do, what may be triggering those feelings, and what techniques you can use to manage your feelings.

Many people who experience paranoia are often reluctant to seek therapy. After all, paranoia itself makes a person distrustful of others. But living with feelings of paranoia is neither pleasant nor healthy, and you deserve to feel good.

It can be difficult to talk about your feelings of paranoia with a mental health professional, but these feelings are common—almost everyone has felt paranoid at some point. Your therapist or counselor won’t judge you for how you feel.