Understanding Why I Feel Paranoid Often and What to Do About It

"Paranoid" is a word that is often thrown around casually in conversation, but paranoid personality disorder and paranoid delusions can be quite serious forms of mental illness. Feeling a little paranoid at times isn't necessarily a problem, but if you feel the symptoms of paranoia are affecting your daily life or relationships, you may need help. Let's explore paranoia and what it can mean, who may be susceptible, and how you can seek treatment.

What is Paranoia?

Paranoia is a state of mind where a person believes others are trying to harm or deceive them, often accompanied by feelings of being watched, listened to, or followed. Paranoia can be characterized by feelings of suspicion or an impending threat without credible evidence.

Mild paranoid thoughts are common in the general population and usually go away naturally, but long-term paranoia can be a symptom of a mental illness or health condition like paranoid personality disorder, delusional disorder, or other psychotic disorders.

Paranoia can lead to delusional thoughts, which are fixed, false beliefs that persist despite lack of evidence. For example, someone with delusional disorder might believe that the CIA is tracking their movements or tapping their phone.

People with paranoia or delusional disorders may have an increased sense of self-importance and believe others are taking notice of them when this is not the case.

Understanding Paranoid Personality Disorder (PPD)

Paranoid personality disorder (PPD) is a mental health condition characterized by a long-term pattern of distrust and suspicion of others without adequate reason to be suspicious (paranoia). People with PPD often believe that others are trying to demean, harm, or threaten them.

PPD is one of a group of conditions called Cluster A, or eccentric personality disorders, which involve unusual and eccentric thinking or behavior. PPD is distinct from conditions like schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and severe manic episodes in bipolar disorder, which also involve delusions or hallucinations.

Causes and Risk Factors

Mental health professionals and researchers have not discovered a single cause for paranoia or paranoid personality disorder; rather, they have identified several risk factors that may lead to the development of the mental illness. This includes both biological and environmental factors.

Mild to moderate feelings of paranoia can be triggered by difficult social situations, times of significant life stress, or abuse and trauma. Certain medical conditions, such as brain injuries or epilepsy, can also cause paranoia.

Recreational drugs like amphetamine, marijuana, cocaine, and ecstasy can trigger paranoid thinking. Certain mental health conditions, including psychoses and personality disorders, can also cause paranoia. These mental illnesses often have genetic factors, and paranoia diagnosed in early adulthood can be treated more effectively. So if you have a family member with these symptoms, it can be a good idea to be vigilant.

Finally, trauma such as childhood emotional neglect and other adverse childhood experiences can increase the risk of developing paranoid personality disorder.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Paranoid symptoms can include feelings of being watched, listened to, or followed. People experiencing paranoia may become suspicious of others and believe they are being harmed or deceived. Paranoid thoughts can be distressing and interfere with daily life, and an assessment by a doctor can help assess the level of paranoia and rule out other medical issues.

Diagnosis of mental health disorders like paranoid personality disorder or delusional disorders that involve paranoia is done through an assessment with detailed questions about current problems, family history, general medical history, and any medicines or drug and alcohol use. The provider will compare the symptoms of paranoia against criteria laid out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5).

Seeking Help and Treatment

If you’re experiencing heightened feelings of paranoia, visit a healthcare provider to rule out any underlying medical issues. If your healthcare provider believes you may be experiencing a mental health condition, they may refer you to a psychologist, psychiatrist, or other mental health specialist for diagnosis.

Treatment for paranoia depends on the cause, whether it’s a medical issue, a psychiatric issue, or a combination of both. A therapist can help you understand why you’re feeling paranoid, what may be triggering those feelings, and what techniques you can use to manage your feelings.

Coping with Paranoid Thoughts

Many people experience paranoia that can’t be attributed to a medical issue or serious psychiatric condition. These paranoid feelings are often related to chronic stress, a recent or past trauma, difficulties with social situations, or low self-esteem.

A professional can help you develop coping strategies and techniques to manage paranoid thoughts. Self-care techniques such as tracking your thoughts, questioning fears and conspiracy theories, and seeking support can also help.

Managing Mental Health Conditions

If you’re experiencing a psychiatric issue, such as schizophrenia, delusional disorder, or paranoid personality disorder, you may need psychiatric care, including medication and therapy.

Treatment for paranoia aims to reduce symptoms and improve daily life, by helping to shift the disordered things a person believes and to address any other psychiatric disorders that may be contributing to challenges in that person's life.

Developing a positive relationship with a health provider may take time for someone experiencing severe paranoia, but can be an important step on the road to recovery.

Lifestyle Changes and Self-Care

Taking care of yourself by getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy diet can help reduce paranoid thoughts, while engaging in relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing can help to manage stress and anxiety.

Building a support network of friends, family, or a support group can provide emotional support and help you feel less isolated and can be an important protective factor for your wellness.

Overcoming Paranoia

According to Mental Health America, overcoming paranoia requires a combination of self-awareness, self-care, and professional help. Working with a professional can help you identify the underlying causes of your paranoia and develop strategies to reduce paranoia over time.

With time and effort, it’s possible to reduce paranoid thoughts and improve your mental health.

Resources and Support

If you think you’re paranoid or suspect someone you love is experiencing paranoia, seek help from a healthcare provider or mental health professional. Understanding how to cope with paranoia starts with understanding what’s causing the feelings and then seeking appropriate help and care.

There are many resources available to help you manage paranoia, including online support groups, hotlines, and health organizations.

Managing Paranoid Personality Disorder or Delusional Disorders in Chicago, IL

While not all paranoia is related to PPD, or delusional disorders, it is a feature of several mental disorders that can negatively impact your life. Therapy with a licensed mental health professional can help you take back control of your life and start to feel safe again.

At Williamsburg Therapy Group Chicago, our team of doctoral-level psychotherapists offers both online and in-person sessions to accommodate your own emotional needs and convenience and allow you to work with a provider that can offer the tools you need to manage intense feelings of paranoia.

Call today to speak with a service coordinator who can find the right Chicago therapist match for you. If your paranoia has been affecting your daily life and relationships, it may be part of a serious disorder. But you don't have to live with the negative consequences; there are a number of evidence-based approaches that can help you shake false beliefs and live a more fulfilling life.