TeenHealthFX - Answers - Always Paranoid Or Worried About Something

Worries, Fears and Anxiety Disorders / Question
Published: August 31, 2009

Dear TeenHealthFX,

For some time now, as long as I can remember, I am always paranoid or worried about something. I am r happy except for this characterisitc. For example I get really I get paranoid about being healthy, and as a result I am never ill, yet it takes over my mind. Like when I am sick I won't eat for nearly a week because I am so scared of being sick again. I know how ridiculous that sounds but I can't help it. I find it hard to sleep because I think about things a lot. The other night I dreamt that my mom and dad died and now I am scared of that too. Basically I am just fed up of living a paranoid life where I worry about the stupidest little things that can't be changed even if you do worry about them, so what's the point!? I literally can't take this any longer. What am I meant to do? Please, please answer I am getting so desparate. If this doesn't go away I will end up killing myself. (I am 16 by the way)

Signed: Always Paranoid Or Worried About Something

Dear Always Paranoid Or Worried About Something,

It does not sound to TeenHealthFX like you are “paranoid.” Being paranoid essentially means that you are worried about other people’s intentions towards you – like if people are talking about you behind your back or are out to harm you in some way. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) describes paranoia as “…a term used by mental health specialists to describe suspiciousness (or mistrust) that is highly exaggerated or not warranted at all.” FX does not hear that you have intense and exaggerated fears of people or the world being out to get you.

However, FX does hear that there is a great deal of worry and anxiety in your everyday life evidenced by your ongoing serious concerns about being ill or becoming ill, fears about your parents dying, and constant worries about “the stupidest little things.” It sounds like these worries and anxieties have become extremely interfering in your day-to-day life, and that you are feeling unable to control these fears despite things you rationally know (i.e., worrying about things can’t change the outcome). FX can absolutely appreciate how frightening and troubling it must feel to you to constantly experience these types of worries.

There are various types of anxiety disorders, such as panic disorders, general anxiety disorder, social phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These conditions are mental illnesses that generally require treatment from trained professionals – they are not emotions and thoughts that people can simply and easily shrug off or deal with completely on their own. Treatment is usually necessary to get the symptoms under control, and may consist of things like cognitive-behavioral therapy, medication management, and in the case of minors, family therapy.

FX can appreciate that you are feeling “desperate” with these thoughts and feelings being as frequent and intense as they are, and wants you to know that treatment can help to significantly diminish your symptoms. You may never be completely anxiety free, but you can certainly learn management techniques that will allow you to minimize these distressing thoughts and feelings so they do not interfere in your life to the extent that they do now.

FX recommends that you speak to your parents as soon as possible about what you are experiencing so they can set up a mental health consultation for you as soon as possible. It is wonderful that you started to reach out for help by writing into us – now continue on that path and talk to your parents so you can get the help you need directly from a trained professional. There is no reason to give up hope or to resort to suicide – there is effective treatment available for people living with anxiety disorders, and you can feel better in time with some work and adherence to the treatment plan you and your therapist come up with.

If you live in northern New Jersey and need help finding a therapist you can call the Access Center from Atlantic Behavioral Health at 973-247-1400. Outside of this area you can log onto the US Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website for referrals in your area. You can also contact your insurance company to get a list of in-network mental health providers or check with your school social worker or psychologist to get a list of referrals in your area.

If you get to the point that you are seriously considering suicide or are afraid of your impulses then you need to seek help immediately. You can call 911 or go to your nearest hospital emergency room. In northern New Jersey you can also call the crisis hotline from Morristown Memorial hospital at 973-540-0100. Outside this area call the Suicide & Crisis Hotline, 1-800-999-9999, 24 hours, 7 days a week.

For more information on anxiety disorders, you can read the National Institute of Mental Health’s webpage on Anxiety Disorders.

Signed: TeenHealthFX