Paranoia, do I need help?

Question

I'm paranoid. If I'm walking down the street I'm constantly thinking about whether people think I'm ugly, hell, I even get paranoid about the way that I walk and whether people see me as geeky. I know its all in my head but I can't help the way that I think.

I also have issues with my confidence, which people tell me is silly because of my line of work (I'm a stripper, and when I'm in work is the only time I feel happy and content with myself). I feel like the thoughts are taking over my life and when I do go out I can't leave the house without a full face of makeup and my hair perfect, which means that I'm late for almost everything. But this doesn't seem to help because I still get these thoughts.

Do I need professional help?

Answer 1

What you describe is just an exagerated trait most women seem to suffer from. Women self value and most people men and women value women by physical appearence first. Thus much is tied into your appearence.

If you are a stripper you are not ugly. Ugly strippers are bad for biz and propriators would rather do without than put up ugly strippers. You are however because of your trade rather cynical about compliments and you are used to the glances men give you. So those little dailly reaffirmations of your looks are gone. Most women if they get complimented once a week by an action or a look it is enough. You quite likely became a stripper in the first place in part to reaffirm that you are pretty. So the insecurity started before your work. Most strippers start for the easy money, exhibitionist thrills and insecurity. Which combination of those factors depends on the woman. Some women do it only because of the money.

Drugs, especially Coke and Meth will greatly aggravate paranoia. Uppers in general tend to produce paranoia and so does lack of sleep.

You also sound like you have some Obsessive compulsive issues starting to manifest. If I were to make a guess I would say you are probably around 21 age wise. You party alot. Probably not every day but several times a month.

By deffinition you work a night shift which might be interfering with your sleep schedule if you are a day person.

So some things to try are. Get more sleep. If you are averaging 5-6 hours a night try getting 6-8 a night. Some people actually require 9-10 hours. Nothing wrong with that as long as you recognize such and get that much sleep. If you are also having memory problems then you are deffinitely suffering from sleep deprivation which will aggrvate any issues you have. Getting sleep will not get rid of the issues but will lesson the symtoms and possibly bring them under control.

Smoking weed does make a few people paranoid. Women in particuler seem to suffer this side effect. It is uncommon but not rare. Speed and Coke make everybody paranoid. Stop using drugs for a month or two and see if the problems go away. If they do then quit for good as these problems can become permanently etched in the way your brain is wired if you continue to reinforce the behavior over a long period of time. If the problems do not abate or even lesson than drug use has nothing to do with it.

A stable relationship might do wonders. If you are in a relationship you might be hooked up with a man/woman who plays on your insecurities. This is a common device used by the insecure. By playing up on yours they do not have to address thier own. They also use it as a power play. A good healthy relationship will feed your ego not your insecurities. Remember you have to do the same for your mate. Playing on thier insecurities will invite attacks on your own.

As for counseling. It's a hit or miss thing. Many counselors approach the job with agendas and even in extreme cases vendettas. They often became counselors to fullfill an activist cause or a deep seated desire to help people. Objectivism is not taught however. Not even valued. So Psych help is all to often tainted by this person attempting to force you into thier particuler view of the world. This can actually agravate problems rather than help them. So you basically pay to have the problems worsened. A good counselor can help quite a bit but you may have to try a dozen before you find one that matches your view enough to be helpfull but is strong enough to not enable your behavior. That is the second downfall of counseling. is that many are just enablers. They are good listeners however they are unwilling or unable to help you make any changes in life. You feel good because you got to talk to somebody who listened and seemed geniunely concerned. They reafirm that it's not anything you are doing so you make no changes. Obviously if there was nothing wrong why see them in the first place? If no changes take place then nothing can get better.

For talk, pick out a dating site, put up an add without a pic and meet somebody who likes you for who you are. Even if you never have anything but talk with them you at least get to talk, it's free and you might even meet somebdoy who has good ideas for how to combat the problems. It's anon, especially if you intentionally seek out people outside your state. An alternitive is to prowl places like Yahoo answers, Myspace and just introduce yourself to somebody who you'd like to be a friend with. Most people need to talk. Few are willing to listen. So look for somebody with listening skills. Some won't care if you listen back. Talking I think right now would help you out a great deal. Just letting things out. Getting a different perspective also will help in my opinion.

If you try these things and the conditions worsen then you may need medications. Try to avoid these as you get locked into situations and almost all meds have side effects, sometimes the side effects can be worse than the condition they treat. From a purely subjective perspective it's really hard to see such things. Another reason that close friends or an intimate other who really care about you would help. Party friends tend to be wrapped up in the party life and have a hard time refocusing on the very concept that life exists outside partying.

Anyway hope this helps a bit.

Answer 2

You need to have your self confidence and self esteem boosted!

You don't need a shrink you need a new way to think!

You are a beautiful person or you wouldn't have the job that you do! You also have to have confidence in your self to get up on stage and dance!

So now the question is why do you put that away when you are out in town?

You have what you need and you use it every day at work and people love you! So you take that work attitude out the door with you when you leave. When you start to feel a little worried out on the street just think of what you would do at work. Get that I am hot attitude back and before you know it you'll be fine.

And don't let anyone tell you it's because of your job ! That is BS. How many actors and actress's in Hollywood show themselves, a lot ! Wasn't there movies one with Demi Moore and another with Fonda who did strip tease acts? They aren't having any problems.
And Honey do it while you can because you won't have that body when your 45 years old...

I hope this helps you.

Answer 3

I don't think you have much to worry about.
The more you think of this as a problem or abnormality, the more anxious you will get.
Most women I meet today are self conscious and can't leave home with a full face make up.
Perhaps, you have recently suffered with a slightly low self esteem. It is not abnormal, but it needs some professional help.
Professional help would help you to calm down and relax. Perhaps meditation would be a better option.
Try to consult a counsellor, i dont think you need to visit a clinical psychologist.
You also mentioned about being a stripper - i dont think your ugly then!! :)
Good luck

Answer 4

HELLLLL YEAH seek a doctor asap. ANXIETY not Paranoid some people have anxiety and low self esteem and boy you sure sound like you do. A counselor can do loads of help and you will be free to walk the streets with confidence once you find out why you feel that way. Anxiety is a terrible thing to have it controll your life to the point you can become a recluse..... get help.

Answer 5

This happened to me
I was on my way back from a holiday and travelling by train It was to reach my home town by 5am I got from my slumber at 4.00am and found that my baggage and my shoes were stolen other than my sleeping dress and my bathroom slippers I had nothing else. I was terrified to get down from the train in this dress and slippers I was very tensed I informed this to one of my co passagers. My problem of getting down with this dress I asked her a set of dress she was a businees traveller she had none but she also commented the people in this city do not have time to look at you they have better work to do. I got down with my face down and thinking everyone will make fun of me this made me lower my head more finally one comment came it was not about my dress or slippers it was the way I was putting my head down and walking this made me rember my co passagers advise with great effort I lifted my head and looked around no one was watching me and as I walked too no one cared. from that day all my asumtions stopped and started being what I am I am a happy person now
So pls change which only you can do no consellor can help he or she may advise but it is you who has to change he or she cannot change you
I was same like you before now a completly changed person everything in this world we create so why not break it too and enjoy life for what we are.

Answer 6

MY chum's dad has this. She hates his guts and calls him loopy. yet she basically found out he had paranoia those days. Her dad relatively feels all people is out to get him or attempting to take his money (he's money obsessed), so he's in many circumstances agressive to human beings he knows. yet for strangers he acts genuine large. Paranoia is the irrational and continual feeling that individuals are ‘out to get you’ or which you are the region of continual, intrusive interest via others. This unfounded mistrust of others could make it complicated for a individual with paranoia to function socially or have close relationships. Paranoia would be a symptom of dissimilar circumstances, alongside with paranoid character disease, delusional (paranoid) disease and schizophrenia. the reason for paranoia is unknown yet genetics are theory to play a place. medical care relies upon on the condition clinically determined as its reason, and would incorporate medical care via psychological medical care or drugs.

Answer 7

You need someone to talk to .. When you mean seek professional help, they are also listeners. All you need to speak out your problems and find out why.

Of course, you may seek professional help, but may cost you!

I am all ears!

(I am paranoid to professional help !!! -- too costy!!)

Answer 8

You should go see a counselor and just talk. It puts these problems that you think are huge into perspective and helps you get over them. GOOD LUCK. :]

Answer 9

Yes ma'am it sure sounds like it. It must be horrible.

Answer 10

well dont smoke weed... You will be even worse!!