Jenny, Spain
It goes way back, but now in my 30s, it's interfering with my life. I'm always sure I'm going to get fired. Any job... especially teaching. I was indeed fired once in my profession... three years ago. I've been called in, again, for a Friday after work session... I'm sure they will ask me to leave, buy out my contract, and have me escorted out with my possessions. Also sure everyone at work thinks I've said something bad about someone... six months ago..I was always so popular at my last job... just can't shake the feeling' I know this is silly, and that the world does not revolve around me... people have their own issues, that have nothing to do with this nice woman walking down the hall (me).
Mac, London
I have had paranoid feelings for as long as I can remember. I am now 50. I had a very strict religious upbringing and just about everything was a sin according to my parents! This gradually turned me off from religion but as I became a mature adult I am left with paranoid and suspicious feelings. Let me give you an example, one day recently I forgot to put on deodorant after a shower. I became convinced that colleagues at work must have picked this up (nobody said anything!) but I am beside myself that someone might thing I am dirty! (I am actually very presentable!). For most of the time I can convince myself that this is being irrational but anytime I have something to look forward to, the thoughts return and it manages to ruin my evening! Its almost as if I cannot allow myself to enjoy myself or have a good time. This is just one example, I have hundreds of similar experiences that have managed to ruin the best times of my life.
Lee, London
I am a twenty three year old student. I often feel tensed and stressed while walking down the street past stationary traffic, I feel people may be judging me. Mainly though my fears stem from my own feeling of tension, self awareness and any awkward displays of body language. I also sometimes when in new social situations find myself tensing up and feeling extremely awkward yet I know meeting people generally should be an enjoyable experience. It affects the way I interact with people and I know I never make a good impression. I realize my lifestyle has caused this situation simply by taking to many drugs and developing excessive paranoia. I often wonder about the scientifically proven sense of telepathy and am curious to the extent of the connection.
Louise, Australia
I sometimes get so paranoid that I think everyone is lying to me and that everyone is an actor (except me). It's basically like I am in the Truman Show and I am Truman. It's a really scary thought and I hope no one else ever experiences it because it is horrible.
Alan, United States
I travel a lot and have worked for many people. No matter where I go I always tend to think my supervisors are out to get me. Or the people at my job conspire to fire me. This causes a multitude of problems in my life. Recently I learned to accept the fact that I'm not perfect and when I make a mistake correct it quickly. I noticed a change in attitude of the people I work with and thus far have stopped thinking people single me out. Yet if I see people whispering or having a meeting that I was invited to, I still tend to think it's about me.