i just wrote my friend who's kinda an ex friend now an email cause i assumed her and these other people were talking about me too... i have the same exact thing...

Join the club. Try not to be paranoid when you are mentally ill!

I think it is, I have the same problem. Let me know if you hear anything.

Oh yeah, every waking hour just about! I also have Panic Disorder & PTSD, so I wasn't sure which was the underlying the main source. You're not alone at all, seems like most of us have paranoia to varying degrees. I am finding EMDR therapy to be somewhat helpful right now, but I still need to have my Ativan and Valium handy quite often...

Paranoia and hyper-vigilance are closely related and part of BP.

i am always paranoid. it's a big part of my bp symyoms and i have learned to talk myself out of it. the paranoia is not because of one person, it's a sign that i have become overwhelmed. its all about coping skills.

Thats not so good.
I hope this helps.
There is alot you can do about it though. I feel your pain I have been there. There is counsoling and church. But what worked for me is the 12 steps of aa.
Now dont get scared I am not saying you are an alcoholic. But htte steps have a way of showing me what needs to be done in my life to grow. so maybe look for a support gropup that is steps based. Their you could if you wanted to take a inventory of yourself and see some charecter deefects and some beleaf systems you have that may not be serving you very well. I will pray for you.
I want the best for you. I want you To live a life of freedom and happiness.:)
Matt

bump

All people... mentally ill and normal... experience paranoia from time to time. I used to have a fridge magnet to remind me of this. (It also made me laugh) It said. "I'm not paranoid. It's just that people keep talking about me!" When you think that some one is talking about you, just remember that they probably are thinking that someone it talking about them as well.

Here is an interesting little article that talks about the difference between paranoid symptoms of PTSD & Bipolar. I have both and it's hard to tell which is to blame sometimes. The bipolar seems to be the most important to get medicated though, and the EMDR therapy helps for the PTSD paranoia. I hope things get better for you, and I really do empathize.

http://bipolarworld.net/Phelps/ph_2002/ph836.htm

I'M PARANOID ALL THE TIME TOO, I THINK WORK PEOPLE ARE AVOIDING ME AND THINK I'M WEIRD, FAMILY IGNORES ME CAUSE I'M WEIRD, MESSAGE BOARD PEOPLE AVOID ME CAUSE THEY SENSE I AM WEIRD, PEOPLE OUT IN PUBLIC THINK I'M WEIRD

Thanks Basket, I found that interesting reading...Angel...

Wow! I thought I was the weirdo who killed all the posts on the message boards ;) But seriously, I feel that way too. People avoid me at work, my family doesn't answer the phone when I call & I automatically assume they want nothing to do with me anymore, I check the back seat of the car for an abductor every time I go to drive. Life feels like one big conspiracy, geesh!

No problem, Angel!

I do the same in the car. I walk at night with my keys jambed between my fingers. I notice everyone and anything. I feel like when I open my mouth to tell someone (especially at work) something about myself, I later berate myself for disclosing too much personal info. I quit jobs because I feel that people know too much about my private stuff. I am really very private, but it is extreme. I will not or have never avoided you Seeking Peace. (smile)