Paranoia

[rattymat]

Often, I have a sensation of paranoia when I over think my mental processes and create a connection in my had that seems to depthfully understand a situation, but when mixed with mental processes such as insecurity (like in social situations), the deeper patterns I connect are delusional because they are mixed with fear. I over think social situations I feel insecure within, to the degree that I over-analyze their behavior and find criticism in some way. Often this feeling of fear can feed on itself and linger even after realizing perceived criticism was false, and it can integrate into my thought processes in other matters. Over-thinking my own actions, hyper mind-indecision, hyper action-indecision, increased suspicion (connecting false patterns).
What do you guys make of this? Have you had similar experiences?

 

[pjoa09]

Only if I am making an impression or I do something weird. I always made it out as normal. Sometimes I am absolutely aloof that my behaviour is awkward. I get attention and I don't always know it. Not the good kind too, it was the 'not one of us' kind of attention.

 

[Tyria]

The answer is to be present in your thoughts.

What your mind presents to you can affect both your mood and your emotions. From your description, you are creating possible scenarios in your mind that are based on settings where you feel insecure (social situations). The scenarios are fear provoking.

You are being hypervigilant, and are scanning the behavior of others for signs of potential danger (something perhaps to justify the fear or insecurity that you are feeling).

First, examine your beliefs and attitudes towards being social with others. What it is about being in social situations that causes you to feel fear or insecure? Why do you feel uncomfortable? What are your beliefs that come to mind when you are in a social situation? What are they about yourself in social situations?

Strong emotions can have a spill over affect if one allows them to run in whatever course that the mind chooses. The scenarios that you are creating are affecting you: if you are in a social situation again, take note of yourself and see if there is a pattern that you follow.

For example... you are in a social situation and you begin to feel insecure. You start to imagine the reasons behind someone else's behavior (in a negative or fault-finding light; as if someone was being critical of you).

When you start to drift off down this road, bring yourself back. Take slow deep breaths and focus on your breathing. Remind yourself that social situations may be anxiety provoking for you, but that you are not in any acute danger. You are projecting danger or criticism, and you are reacting to it.

Take control and stop the cycle early. You are the master of your own thoughts.

 

[rattymat]

Yeah, I understand what you're saying. I would like to clarify it is not all social situations, it depends on mood largely as well. Thank you for your advice, I would say it coincides well with my own sentiments on the matter.

 

[Tyria]

You're welcome. Be well, and take care.