How to Overcome Paranoia

It's common for people to have paranoid thoughts. According to a 2006 study conducted by a team of the Institute of Psychiatry based in King's College, London, paranoia is more widespread than psychiatrists previously thought and is almost as common as anxiety and depression. Talking to someone you trust and thinking positively can help you to overcome paranoia. Talking to a therapist offers a more long-term solution if paranoia is taking over your life or causing intense distress.

Instructions

• 1

  Share your thoughts with someone you trust. Talking with a trusted friend or family member helps put fearful thoughts into perspective and may help you realize that your fears are unfounded.

• 2

  Focus on the positive. Paranoia can be triggered by stress, anxiety, depression and major life changes, according to the Institute of Psychiatry. Thinking about the positive aspects of your life can alleviate these conditions and help change your thinking patterns. Using visualizations and affirmations can also help you to think more positively.

• 3

  Question your fears. The Institute of Psychiatry recommends that you ask yourself if it is possible you have exaggerated the perceived threat, if your worries are based on feelings rather than evidence and if it is likely that you would be singled out above everyone else. This kind of reasoning can help people to realize that they are worrying unnecessarily, particularly if there is no indisputable evidence to support their fears and other people do not share their suspicions.

• 4

  Detach from your paranoia. Daniel Freeman, Jason Freeman and Philippa Garety in their self-help book "Overcoming Paranoid and Suspicious Thoughts" explain that monitoring paranoid thoughts using diaries and writing exercises can help people to detach from them.

• 5

  Seek help. It might be necessary to talk with a qualified therapist if paranoid thoughts are interfering with your life and relationships, are causing a lot of distress, or make you feel depressed or suicidal. Talk to someone who has a specialist knowledge of paranoia.