How to Deal with Paranoia
Paranoia is a phenomenon that comprises "keeping suspicious beliefs and showing abnormal reactions based on them". It is one of the most common behavior problems we see around us.
These people are helpless in front of their beliefs. In addition, they feel that they are victims because other people are misbehaving or doing unjust to them, but actually, they are victims of their own suspicions.
The misery and helplessness surrounding them are actually due to not recognizing their problem, not accepting the real reason, and not being ready to get help.
A person with this problem is unable to carry on any healthy argument without getting loud and/or crying. They feel unsafe when pointed out about any of their actions, and instead of focusing on and understanding that point, they usually generalize and self-victimize automatically. That complicates the talk and ends up in both-sided disappointment.
Featuring a thought disorder with dignity:
This is time to understand that as we may get any body part infection, fever, cough, or skin allergy, likewise our brain can also get some disorder that needs to be taken good care of.
Infections don't always come with a reason and they can affect anybody. They need proper medicine to cure. In the same way, our thought disorders are also a matter to deal with discussion, counseling, or medications. This suffering is not to hide and neglect.
What we can do as well-aware and well-educated people in society?
Everyone should assess him/herself for his/her behavior.
We are giving the experts agreed-upon criteria for this disorder.
"Recognise and help yourself at first rather than others".
Two points for the person with this disorder:
1. Accept It:
It can happen to anyone. As we go to a doctor to treat our body's illness, we need to be aware of the mind as well. Discussing it, getting skilled help, and counseling are very helpful in curing your ill emotions.
Self-help and practice for a better behavior also need acceptance, awareness, and effort to overcome the issue. But until we don't accept, we don't realize that we have this problem to deal with.
2. Listen to others:
Things can be much better by keeping a little patience.
Before jumping into defense mode, falling to instant conclusions, and rolling down deeper into your beliefs, just listen to them without judging their intentions.
It is okay to judge certain actions; maybe some actions or words are wrong, but limit yourself there. Don't immediately proceed to judge the intentions and the relationship altogether. This is not your right!
Conflicts of opinion, discussion on differences, and arguments can happen, and they are part of normal conversation.
We are connected with a relation of “advise”. Don’t always fall into the pit of Shaitan saying “Who is he/she to say you?
He/She is your Muslim brother/sister.
This propaganda of extreme self-sensitivity and ego-borne self-respect from other cultures is not always applicable to us. Don’t forget we are a Ummah who is a single body. Their concerns can be genuine. Listen to them, at least.
Two points for the second person dealing with the disorder (in family, friend, colleague, etc)
1.Don't throw away their beliefs right away:
Be gradual in dealing and try to be gentle although it might go into annoying conversation despite your honest efforts. If instead of both of you, the paranoia is mastering the conversation, "recognize this" and just listen passively. You need to be patient as you care about them and also for your own mental health.
2.Try to convey the message and communicate:
Try to convey it when they are not in "high time" of paranoia; in a softer way that may not turn their suspicions on. Your part is just to convey what you have felt and what you think is true. Don't over emphasise. Just convey!
Try to get professional help, only if they accept.
Anyway, be with them, and try not to go away until it starts to affect your own mental stability.
The worst outcome that happens with a delay in care is the one, in which the person with paranoia is left alone. People tolerate the behavior initially but keeping patience with them is not easy. But humanity is alive due to patient and gentle people around us who try to care.
The worrying aspect of paranoia is that it is progressive. Although it is very much treatable, but in most of the cases, it is ignored under the name of "sensitive person". Many times, it is recognized and not communicated to the person because no one wants to say it and take the responsibility/risk/put them in trouble.
And yes, for sure, asking for ALLAH’s help in all the conditions of life is always the best first step towards betterment.
Further Reads and Help platforms:
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.(5th Edition), https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/paranoia,
Paranoid Personality Disorder (PPD).ByMark Zimmerman, MD, South County Psychiatry, Reviewed/Revised Sept 2023, https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/psychiatric-disorders/personality-disorders/paranoid-personality-disorder-ppd
