How do I stop being so paranoid?

[Overcome]

Hi all,

I am currently dealing with all of the emotions I have been battening down for so long, and I am identifying that I am super paranoid about things, for example; I haven’t received any messages from my family all week so I think they must be sick of me and my drama. I don’t hear from anyone on his side either so I think they have cut me off.

I worry about the children turning against me when they are with their Dad, I worry about my future, about my job, about all the things that can go wrong. I am really struggling to see the positives of any situation when I used to be so bubbly and optimistic. Sometimes I even wear myself out with how negative my thoughts are right now. Can anyone else relate? What do you do to help when you feel this way?

With love,

Overcome x

[Cecile]

Hi Overcome I am so grateful you posted this as I have that too. It’s been over riding everything and I was afraid to tell any one. I think it’s a product of high levels of anxiety. My GP put me on a commonly used medication for depression and anxiety and it has worked wonders, but the paranoid thoughts do still bubble up now and then, but greatly reduced. I am taking myself off to see a consultant tomorrow, privately, to make sure this is normal for my circumstances and see what can be done about it. I wondered if it a PTSD symptom, to be hones, as I have had decades of trauma.Its preventing me from socialising so I need to deal with it.Go see your doctor and get a referral to a psychology service is my advice. The help is out there. Make this part of your plan.

[Newst@rt]

Ha ha – I could’ve written this too! I try and recognise when I’m potentially being paranoid, and I have a very close relationship with my brother who has been super supportive and is a good sounding board, I have a close friend I can speak to too who helps to put things in perspective.
Also, I know this isn’t for everyone but I after battling with the thought for months I finally saw a doctor about starting a course of antidepressants and it has massively helped with my anxiety, it has really made such a difference and I feel a lot calmer in myself, with the children and in social situations. Also I think as always self care, sleep and good nutrition helps you to feel your best; I tend to feel more paranoid and anxious when I’m tired or not looking after myself properly x*x

[KIP.]

It’s a symptom of PTSD and it will pass with time and zero contact with your abuser. I thinks it also comes from years of being on high alert trying to prevent the next outburst. It a hard habit to break. Google the amygdala. The part of the brain that deals with fight and flight. It will keep screaming danger for a long time to come. Even when there is no danger. I was told it can take 10 years for these symptoms to stop, mindfulness, yoga, meditation, sleep, food and water and zero outside stresses until your mind settles down. While you’re still in touch with your abuser, you will stay on high alert.

[snowbunting]

I can relate with those same feelings and sometimes they rush up out of the blue when I am least prepared, I have learnt to either go out and walk or mindful deep breathing to calm my mind. Recently I sat in a church for 20 minutes on my own in a calm space. Once my mind is calmer writing those fears down and then writing back to myself from the people I think are ignoring me with the things going on in their own lives, helps me to understand that mostly its in my head. I try to live in the moment too, without looking at the future as its unknown, so thinking about the now is really calming for me. x*x

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