Anxious 'paranoia'

[heyheyhey]

Hey everyone,

When your anxiety kicks in - do you start feeling more paranoid? I'm not talking like delusional paranoia, but just like 'run of the mill'. For example, when I feel anxious, I'm more prone to think something like "these people are talking about me". Or for example, a therapy service asked me to pay for therapy up front, over email - and I started to feeling anxious and had the thought flash through my mind "what if they are scamming me?".

I get a really uncomfortable sick feeling in my stomach with it on an emotional level.

I also get anxious about being anxious or 'paranoid' because I get anxious for signs that I may be developing psychosis or schizophrenia so I think my mind really blows up those thoughts as potential signs that i am developing those things. I know that that's irrational and that I probably had these thoughts before PTSD, but post PTSD I just feel more like emotionally paranoid or anxious, and not really sure how to deal with it. Should I just work on my thoughts - CBT stye?

Please offer some advice, thanks all :)!

 

[Muted]

I can so relate to this @heyheyhey ! I've been meaning to talk to my t more about it. I try to not focus on the thoughts because then they spiral and sometimes I will be direct to find out if they're true or not by 'confronting' the situation and asking questions.

 

[heyheyhey]

I can so relate to this @heyheyhey ! I've been meaning to talk to my t more about it...

Thanks so much Gia :)! They are really annoying, they just make you feel crazy! I think it's that I start feeling anxious about having them and then it spins in to the whole "you're losing your mind", line of thinking. Think you're right, best to distract yourself :).

 

[mrsmegan]

I can totally relate - and I hate the "I'm anxious because I am anxious which is making me more anxious...." :O_o:

 

[Deleted member 541]

@heyheyhey When I was a bit more in the lovely full blown PTSD land of the crazies... Yes, anything would kick up the paranoid thinking. Not the raging parinoid thinking, but defiant parinoid thoughts that would come and go, and after they left, I'd be like, "OMG, why did I just think that, get a grip on yourself girl"

I always attributed it to me having low self esteem at the time, and feelings of worthlessness.

 

[J'qel]

Yes!

I have to actually stop myself frequently from saying things. Something goes missing-someone moved it to piss me off or stole it and doesn't want to own up. Something broken? Someone else broke it and didn't tell me. People talking in the next room? totally talking about me behind my back. Stuff is in a mess? maybe someone went through my stuff.

I have had huge angry yelling rants about stuff in the past. I'm *MUCH* better now. I can stop as soon as the thought comes into my head and look at it and pull it apart to see if it's something that's worthwhile.

I still feel a bit like I might be paranoid about some folks we have over and the fact that they always seem to go out of their way to ruin any fun we have that isn't centered on him specifically, but since my husband has noticed it as well, I think that I may be on the button with that one.

 

[heyheyhey]

I can totally relate - and I hate the "I'm anxious because I am anxious which is making me more anxiou...

Hahaha, yeah!

 

[Seeking]

Yesterday I was perscribed prozac to help with my anxiety. Can anyone tell me their experience taking this?

 

[LLMertens]

Yesterday I was perscribed prozac to help with my anxiety. Can anyone tell me their experience taking t...

You need to take any medication slowly as we all react differently. I found that SSRI's and Prozac in particular turned me into a dancing peanut. (Picture Snoopy and the gang). Yes, I was "up" from my depression but I also couldn't sleep and became manic. Work with your doctor and take any new medication carefully. Keep a journal to help yourself remember.

 

[Seeking]

Oh no. My boyfriend who has PTSD takes it and I've seen him have side effects that make him numb. He seems to not want to deal with anything surrounding emotions. I am now on it because I had to do something to help me cope. I don't sleep or eat and worry constantly. I thought my seeing help from a psychiatrist I would be doing a good thing for me, now I don't know.

 

[LLMertens]

@Seeking Prozac has been around for a long time because it helps many people. Remember that it builds up slowly so you may not know how it is going until you've been taking it for a month or more. Just keep a little journal and try. You are brave to ask for help, and you are on the right track for getting it. Good luck.