Totally paranoid

[KittyCat81]

At work today two people in the office were whispering. Automatically my brain decides they're talking about me. My heart was racing, I came out in a cold sweat and felt sick. Why am I so paranoid?

[hypercat54]

Hi I am sure they weren't talking about you. Ask yourself why they would be so interested in you that they need to talk about you. Are you special to them? No so be assured they almost certainly weren't talking about you.

I used to think the same and whenever I walked past a group who were laughing was convinced they were laughing at me. I sought therapy and the next time this happened my first thought was that it must be a good joke they were laughing at. I stopped dead in my tracks and thought wow. I have never felt like that again. x

[gleason9guy]

Become disinterested in their process and redirect your thoughts to humor and music. It's much easier being discussed for being a loose, Bohemian artsy kind of person than just another paranoid freak. You have powers of focus. Use them properly to direct your brain away from obsessive garbage.

[Joanne1972]

I agree with the other comments of redirecting your thoughts, if whispering maybe instead of thinking they are talking about you think they are whispering because one of them had got a rash in a delicate area, think why they might have got in to that situation, think funny thoughts until you make yourself laugh, let your imagination go wild in funny thoughts.

Jo

An after thought...

Of course if you start regularly bursting into laughter it may cause people to really start talking about you so maybe stop your imagination elaborating when you get to a slight giggle. ☺️

[IChoose]

A psychologist once said to me (to counter my Paranoia), "you're small change, (IChoose)." I use that to remind myself I'm not all that important.

Also, if I notice non-worrysome coincidences around myself at a time of stress paranoia, I remind myself that for paranoid people there really are coincidences, and they go on around us all the time, and aren't they kind of neat in way.

At the same time, what if they were talking about you. It's a free country so they're free to do so ... Don't worry and move on.

[Newlife73]

I doubt they were taking about you. When your brain starts to go that direction try to distract yourself. Counseling helped me (EMDR and tapping were particularly helpful). I also meditate 10 mins per day to clear my thoughts. Meditation can train your brain over time to not dwell on unnecessary thoughts or give them power. They are merely thoughts and nothing more. Good luck. You can get over this!!

[marheart]

Wish I understood and had a cure for paranoia. Therapist said anxiety always grabs for the control. It takes over and we think the worst.

She said to use the tapping and breathing exercises, keep busy and distracted and use all the usual techniques we are told to use.

Avoid politics and other anger producing TV shows.

[Redangels410]

I can see how this can be intimidating & uncomfortable for you or for anyone. And sometimes we can also misunderstood the whole picture where others mean no harm.

Actually, I was asked this at work before, how I would respond when I see people whispering as I'm walking by. And my response was, if I know them & I know their heart, I don't assume that they are talking bad about me. And if I don't know them, I would say hi & smile sincerely at them, & they automatically stop, which we all end up having conversation.

So, before I leave my house I do a little self-check on my feelings & I set myself on having a positive & a beautiful day no matter what happens. I also remind myself, "it's not what happened or what people tells me, it's how I respond."