Paranoia

[proeuthanasia]

i'm curious. is it triggered by a particular part of the brain? in otherwords, does it sprout from some sort of chemical imbalance in the brain that could, upon research and experimentation, be controlled and equalized by pills or some other form of medication? is it an actual diagnostic problem, similar to, say, add or depression?

[neb nawoc]

I have 10 toes.

[richter915]

I'd say so...like some people who are "normal" have everything chemically balanced...those with anxiety disorders and stuff do not. It's also genetic. A lot of it is also mental, but I think the root is an imbalance or something far from normal.

[proeuthanasia]

Originally posted by neb nawoc
I have 10 toes.


haha. ben, i have yet to see you make one intelligent post. but you bring somewhat of a lightheartedness to serious threads. for this, i love you.

[proeuthanasia]

Originally posted by richter915
A lot of it is also mental, but I think the root is an imbalance


yes, that is what i'm leaning toward.

[puNk_tHeoRy]

Would it be paranoia to check a few times to see if you still had your 10 toes?

[Alex Djaferis]

huh?? eh? uuuhhh...:eek: stop staring at me!!!!

[kidinthecorner]

It can also sprout from a traumatic experience.

[Alex Djaferis]

Originally posted by kidinthecorner
It can also sprout from a traumatic experience.

this is true

[Clarett'sGreyGoose]

i think it may be a chemical imbalance thing myself, or possibly genetic, my grandma is the most out-of-control paranoid person I've ever met. My mom isn't paranoid at all, ever, but my one aunt always is. I somehow, someway, seem to be a paranoid freak...always checking over my shoulder and shit....it's no fun at all.

[theused_FSF]

i wish i could count my toes, but i cant count

[richter915]

Originally posted by kidinthecorner
It can also sprout from a traumatic experience.
I concur.

[Ronin]

Originally posted by proeuthanasia
i'm curious. is it triggered by a particular part of the brain? in otherwords, does it sprout from some sort of chemical imbalance in the brain that could, upon research and experimentation, be controlled and equalized by pills or some other form of medication? is it an actual diagnostic problem, similar to, say, add or depression?

Psychology major to the rescue.

Paranoia is an adaptive reflex that helped our species survive. If our ancestors were paranoid, they were super-vigilant and were much less likely to walk off a cliff or get eaten by a lion. They had to pay close attention to their surroundings.

Paranoia's caused by stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system, which produces our "fight or flight" response. In the same biological pathway, it constricts our pupils, increases our heart rate, decreases digestions, etc etc. It gets you ready for action basically. Every now and then that system just gets stimulated for no apparent reason, and you get paranoid and nervous.

So being paranoid every now and then is completely normal. You hear a noise upstairs and get paranoid. Your girlfriend/boyfriend hasn't been seen in days, and you get paranoid. These are all normal responses. When it get's out of control, it can turn into paranoid schizophrenia which is a chemical problem in the brain. Think "A Beautiful Mind".

Answer your question?

[proeuthanasia]

Originally posted by Ronin
Psychology major to the rescue.

Paranoia is an adaptive reflex that helped our species survive. If our ancestors were paranoid, they were super-vigilant and were much less likely to walk off a cliff or get eaten by a lion. They had to pay close attention to their surroundings.

Paranoia's caused by stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system, which produces our "fight or flight" response. In the same biological pathway, it constricts our pupils, increases our heart rate, decreases digestions, etc etc. It gets you ready for action basically. Every now and then that system just gets stimulated for no apparent reason, and you get paranoid and nervous.

So being paranoid every now and then is completely normal. You hear a noise upstairs and get paranoid. Your girlfriend/boyfriend hasn't been seen in days, and you get paranoid. These are all normal responses. When it get's out of control, it can turn into paranoid schizophrenia which is a chemical problem in the brain. Think "A Beautiful Mind".

Answer your question?

ah, the intelligent response i was looking for. yes, it answers my question nearly perfectly. much thanks colin. i'm considering studying psychology in college myself. tell me, do you regret majoring in it or do you believe it was a good choice?

[BrandNewRock05]

weed causes paranoia....proven fact...

[Ronin]

Originally posted by proeuthanasia
ah, the intelligent response i was looking for. yes, it answers my question nearly perfectly. much thanks colin. i'm considering studying psychology in college myself. tell me, do you regret majoring in it or do you believe it was a good choice?

Just like every major, it has its high points and low points. You'll have to take courses that will bore you to death (for me, courses like Research Methods and Information Processing) but you'll also take some really great ones, like my directed readings course (one on one discussion with a prof i really liked) and Social Psychology.

I think it was probably a good choice. If you're moreso interested in the social aspects of psychology, I'd recommend you have a look at Sociology or Anthropology as a major, because with psychology you have to do alot of science as well. Anyways, if you want to know anything else, just ask.

[proeuthanasia]

Originally posted by Ronin
Just like every major, it has its high points and low points. You'll have to take courses that will bore you to death (for me, courses like Research Methods and Information Processing) but you'll also take some really great ones, like my directed readings course (one on one discussion with a prof i really liked) and Social Psychology.

I think it was probably a good choice. If you're moreso interested in the social aspects of psychology, I'd recommend you have a look at Sociology or Anthropology as a major, because with psychology you have to do alot of science as well. Anyways, if you want to know anything else, just ask.


well the majority of my interests, as far as college is concerned, lie in the social sciences division. i'm looking at going into either archaeology, criminology, or psychology. and sociology and anthropology are definitely options as well. so thank you for your help, if i have questions you'll be one of the first i come to.