Shelley, Essex
On a really bad day I hate people even looking at me - I image that they are thinking that I’m so ugly they really pity me. I hate it when people are walking behind me for the same reason. I’m sure that people hate being near or around me - and I agree with Ian that if I’m near a group of people and they start laughing I’m convinced they are laughing about me. Camilla, Bristol I seem to feel that the people I care about the most, care very little about me and they conspire and talk behind my back about how they wish I would leave them alone.
Mia, Sheffield
I'm a fifteen year old student. There are this group of guys in my school. They had teased me before but now, whenever I have my back turned, I keep thinking they are making jokes and saying horrible stuff about me. And when I turn around and they laugh, I think they are laughing at me.
Jane, Cambridge
My husband left me and very swiftly started to see a woman who he had previously been good friends with. I blamed her for the split and for being forced to leave my home etc, and worked this up until I became certain that she wanted me destroyed so that she could steal my life completely. This affected me as I was very fearful if I heard her name and felt I had to go to great lengths to avoid her, I also had constant nightmares and felt very fierce towards her.
Robert, Whitehaven
I feel paranoid only when I'm in a bad mood (usually at work or when tired), and feel I have a constant miserable facial expression. When I'm in this state I feel that people are looking at me, and possibly talking about me. I'm usually aware of any laughing. If I'm in a good mood, paranoia or any other negative thoughts never even cross my mind. I'm assuming its human nature, but I still don't like it.
Sarah, Liverpool
I thought there was a camera in the lamp-post and a microphone in my button. I thought the cars behind were following me. People at work always seemed to use certain "phrases" - or I noticed them. Helicopters flew over our house and I was convinced they were spying on us and checking we were at home. I thought the phone was bugged. I really noticed policemen - they seemed to be everywhere and police cars and vans were there because of me. I did not think there was something wrong with my thinking, I thought there was something wrong with society. Why didn't society trust me' I learnt in the end that maybe it was me not trusting myself and maybe I needed to do stuff that I "approved" of and felt good about.