Margaret, Slovenia
I often feel unsafe in the middle of the night, while walking around my apartment - or at any other place for that matter. Sometimes when people (strangers) nearby talk and start laughing, I jump to the conclusion that it has something to do with me or my appearance. I can't stand people walking behind me; to be exact, it's one person or two people. I usually slow down and sort of let them pass me by. It is incomparably "worse" at night: my mind instantly jumps to the idea that I might be in danger. However, it only happens if a man is walking behind me, even if a hundred meters away.
Teresa, London
Right now it’s Saturday evening. I've been looking forward to the weekend all week. Now it’s here all I can think about is the huge knot in my stomach and the thought that all next week every time people disappear into an office and close the door they are slagging me off. Saying how rude I am and unfriendly. I probably am a bit too! I want everyone to like me. I don’t feel able to relax with them. I dont know why...I suspect they think I am aloof and so don’t include me in things. I wouldn’t want to join in anyway as I cant enjoy myself for fear of saying the wrong thing and giving them more ammunition to talk about me.
Elizabeth, United States
I have paranoia and feel like my very close friends secretly hate me and I am an obligation to have around. If I try to call one of them and their phone is off I can picture them looking at the ringing phone and laughing at me. This is a lot of my own insecurities and low self-worth that I am applying to people who generally care about me. Most of the time I can look outside of the box and realize that it's not true but in the height of paranoia I become anxious and convinced that it is true.
Stacie, United States
I cannot sleep at night. I hear noises and I think that someone is trying to get me. No-one specific. Or that their might be someone in my house. I lock all the doors twice and I feel like I am losing it. during the day I am fine. My heart beats a hundred miles an hour when I am in bed. it is starting to scare me. I am starting to not sleep at all without a sleeping pill.
Jenny, Brighton
Like Alex I always think someone has come into my home and stolen the thing I can't find. My son always says 'who would want that'!' it is a family joke now but I still think it immediately something is not where I thought it would be! When very paranoid I think my phone is being tapped/I am being secretly filmed/being followed. I know it's not real but at the same time it is real: ignoring these thoughts just help them to grow. I have nightmares about someone being in my flat when I am asleep. I have started reading the book and am finding such reassurance from other's personal accounts - such incredible relief to know I am fairly 'normal' for a paranoiac :o) I know why I feel the way I do but, before now, I didn't have any solution to stop these thoughts. Thank you for publishing your book.