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Takeaway
Paranoid thoughts can be normal from time to time and don’t always signal a mental health condition. However, for some people, paranoid thoughts can lead to significant distress that affects their everyday functioning. If you are experiencing paranoia or anxiety, know that there is help available. With BetterHelp, you can be matched with a licensed therapist with experience helping people manage paranoid thoughts. Take the first step toward freedom from paranoid thoughts and reach out to BetterHelp today.
Frequently asked questions
Read more below for answers to questions commonly asked on how to stop being paranoid.
Is paranoia the same as anxiety?
Paranoia and anxiety are not the same, but there can be some overlap and they sometimes go together.
Anxiety is a blanket term that can encompass several mental health challenges, and paranoia can be a part of it. Someone who is anxious may excessively worry or experience panic attacks for no apparent reason. Paranoia tends to be more about feeling like someone or something is out to get you, which can create anxiety. However, someone with anxiety may not necessarily be paranoid.
At what age does paranoia develop?
Symptoms of paranoia can occur at any age, but with paranoid personality disorder, many cases often start in the late teens or early in adulthood. Some disorders that are common with age can also cause paranoia. For example, Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia can lead to paranoia.
What does paranoia feel like?
Paranoia can feel different for each person. You may feel intense emotions or anxiety whenever someone or something makes you paranoid, which may lead to feelings of extreme anger or fear. Your mind may obsess over these people or things, and you may find it difficult to change your train of thought.
How do you overcome paranoia in a relationship?
Paranoia in a relationship, especially a new one, can be common, particularly if one of the people in the relationship has had a negative relationship experience in the past. For some, there is a bit of paranoia about whether the relationship will last, and some people may worry that their partner is cheating on them, even if there is no evidence.
Regadless of whether the paranoia is due to a mental health condition or negative relationship experiences in the past, you may benefit from speaking with a licenseed therapist or relationship counselor. A therapist can allow you to communicate your feelings without making accusations. It can be difficult to express feelings of paranoia without making your partner upset. A therapist may be able to help you identify your feelings in a helpful way.
You might also try a couple of strategies to reduce paranoia in the relationship on your own:
Be communicative with your partner. You might consider expressing your worries and your concerns without outright accusing them of something they are not doing.
Try not to jump to the worst conclusion if something happens. For example, if your partner is not responding right away, there may be many rational explanations for this that do not involve cheating. It can be hard to do, but with a bit of mindfulness, you can learn how to avoid catastrophizing in a relationship.
What is a paranoid thought?
Paranoid thoughts are frightening, often reoccurring thoughts, that are unlikely to occur in real life.
Most people have paranoid thoughts from time to time, however it can also be a symptom of mental health disorders including borderline personality disorders, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety disorders. For some people, paranoid thoughts can also be caused or worsened by alcohol and drug abuse.
Is paranoia a symptom of an anxiety-related mental health condition?
Paranoid thoughts can be a symptom of anxiety and other mental health conditions. It may help to speak with a licensed mental health professional who can assess your symptoms in the overall context of your physical and mental health.
What are the signs and symptoms of paranoia?
The signs and symptoms of clinical paranoia may include:
Persistent paranoid thoughts (for weeks or months) that you are in danger of a person or a situation
Fixed beliefs that are not based on reality and that cannot be changed with evidence to the contrary
Significant disruptions to daily living, whether at work or in social situations
What causes paranoia?
What causes paranoia depends on the individual and on the mental health disorder causing the paranoia—if there is one.
For many individuals, paranoid thoughts can be caused by anxiety rooted in everyday stress. Some people can work through these feelings and manage them in healthy and responsible ways.
However, some people experience clinical paranoia as a result of a mental health condition, such as delusional disorder, schizophrenia, or paranoid personality disorder. Alcohol and drug use can also cause paranoia in some people.
Is it paranoia if I think everyone is out to get me?
Thinking that everyone is out to get you may be a sign of paranoia, which can be the result of a traumatic event or a mental health condition. A mental health professional can assess the persistence of your thoughts and other factors to help determine what may be causing your paranoia.
What is the best treatment to stop paranoid thoughts?
To put an end to paranoid thoughts, it may help to speak with a mental health professional to identify the cause of your thoughts. If you have a mental health condition, they may be able to help you work through your thoughts through therapy. If you need medication, they may refer you to a psychiatrist who can evaluate your symptoms and prescribe medication as needed.
Can a mental health professional help me learn how to stop anxiety and paranoia?
Psychiatrists may treat paranoia with therapy, medication, or both. If they recommend therapy, a licensed therapist may provide cognitive-behavioral therapy to help the individual identify and challenge their thoughts and beliefs. If someone has a mental health condition like paranoid schizophrenia, a psychiatrist may prescribe antipsychotic medications. For a condition like anxiety or depression with paranoid thoughts, a doctor may prescribe antidepressants.
Further, if someone’s paranoia is caused or aggravated by alcohol and drug abuse, quitting these habits may be enough to reduce their paranoia.
What are the symptoms of paranoid personality disorder?
The information on this page is not intended to be a substitution for diagnosis, treatment, or informed professional advice. You should not take any action or avoid taking any action without consulting with a qualified mental health professional. For more information, please read our terms of use.
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