Why am I so paranoid?

Question

I am really paranoid. I live with my parents and my brother, and for as long as I can remember, I've been convinced that every time I leave the house they will go into my room. I am super territorial about my room. Sure it is messy, like any teen's bedroom, and there is nothing for me to hide. But I am so protective of my room that I have gotten into serious fights about it. I don't know why.

Also I am always scared that they will hack into my computer accounts. I know they have keylogger spyware on here, and they can find stuff even if I clear the history and delete all cookies. Again, I don't have anything really to hide, but I am so frickin' paranoid!

This paranoia not only gets on my nerves... I sacrifice really important things so that I can sit on my stairs for hours to make sure they're not going to go to my room, and I refuse to leave the basement when they're down there so that I can be sure they'll leave my computer account alone. Sometimes I even get so paranoid that

I try to get everyone in the same room so that I can watch everyone and make sure that nobody is messing anything up.

The paranoia makes them really mad at me, too. They hate that I act so insanely, just like I hate it, but I get so scared that they will do something that I feel an animal-like instinct to protect myself. They've told me I'm pretty much one step away from going to jail if I keep it up.

So I really need help understanding why I am so paranoid!

Answer 1

Are you sure its paranoia? Paranoia is an irrational fear of something that has no basis in reality. If you have caught them in your room or found unambiguous evidence that they have been in your room then the fear about their invading your territory is well founded. It is not paranoia.Does your mother clean your room, wash your bedding etc.? If so she has a right to be there. Judging from the fact that you say they have said you are one step away from jail because of your suspicions and fights I think you have more of a relationship problem than paranoia.

Your family doesn't sound as if they love and trust one another very much. It sounds as though they are dysfunctional. If you all don't like or trust one another, are continually looking for something to blame one another for or are always arguing, then it is no wonder you have fears of them; real fears not paranoia.

That may be the way you were raised so it is in that case not your fault but is something that if corrected would make for a happier home. Correcting it may take some real soul searching and effort by all of your family. Start the ball rolling by inviting your brother and others to share your computer accounts since you have nothing to hide. They will probably find them boring and you will then have nothing to fear.