Feeling as though I'm being watched paired with voices.

[03distortion]

I am constantly afraid that I am being watched in everything I do. Sometimes, the feeling stems from the people around me, other times, I feel as though something hidden is watching from somewhere. It's probably an irrational fear, but I can't shake it. It feels as though someone is looking to harm or hurt me in one way or another. These fears make me extremely jumpy, I shy away from touch and loud noises overload my senses. Even in rooms alone I feel like something or someone is just out of sight, as though hidden in some strange way. I am always looking around me just waiting. At times, these fears can be paired with voices. Imagine listening to multiple videos at once as well as having an intense fear. I'm never directly spoken to but I know I'm being spoken about. Like something is devising plans against me, intending to harm me.

[supermum_ms]

Hi,

You nentioned something right at the end like its something you know to be true... "I'm never directly spoken to but I know I'm being spoken about." but this would be another part of the paranoid delusion episode you are experiencing...

IF you are diagnosed with a preexisting mental health condition it would be in your best interest to contact your psychiatrist as soon as possible to discuss your current situation  and get some support until this situation has resolved.

IF you havent been diagnosed with a mental health conditions then it would be in your best interest to contact your family doctor to discuss your current situation and get some support until this situation has resolved.

Look after yourself........JJ

[CHIN_C]

Your symptoms can be summarized as paranoia with auditory hallucinations. Causes of paranoia include sleep deprivation, stress, drug use, and psychiatric disorders ranging from paranoid personality disorder to schizophrenia. If you feel that you are losing touch with reality and/or your symptoms are interfering with daily activities, consult a psychiatrist.

[CHIN_C]

DSM-5 Criteria for Paranoid Personality Disorder:

A. A pervasive distrust and suspiciousness of others such that their motives are interpreted as malevolent, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by 4 (or more) of the following:
1. Suspects, without sufficient basis, that others are exploiting, harming, or deceiving him or her.
2. Is preoccupied with unjustified doubts about the loyalty or trustworthiness of friends or associates.
3. Is reluctant to confide in others because of unwarranted fear that the information will be used maliciously against him or her.
4. Reads hidden demeaning or threatening meanings into benign remarks or events.
5. Persistently bears grudges (i.e., is unforgiving of insults, injuries, or slights).
6. Perceives attacks on his or her character or reputation that are not apparent to others and is quick to react angrily or to counterattack.
7. Has recurrent suspicions, without justification, regarding fidelity of spouse or sexual partner.

B. Does not occur exclusively during the course of schizophrenia, a bipolar disorder or a depressive disorder with psychotic features, or another psychotic disorder and is not attributable to the physiological effects of another medical condition.

[CHIN_C]

DSM-5 Criteria for Schizophrenia:

The presence of 2 (or more) of the following, each present for a significant portion of time during a 1-month period (or less if successfully treated), with at least 1 of them being (1), (2), or (3): (1) delusions, (2) hallucinations, (3) disorganized speech, (4) grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior, and (5) negative symptoms.

For a significant portion of the time since the onset of the disturbance, level of functioning in 1 or more major areas (e.g., work, interpersonal relations, or self-care) is markedly below the level achieved before onset; when the onset is in childhood or adolescence, the expected level of interpersonal, academic or occupational functioning is not achieved.

Continuous signs of the disturbance persist for a period of at least 6 months, which must include at least 1 month of symptoms (or less if successfully treated); prodromal symptoms often precede the active phase, and residual symptoms may follow it, characterized by mild or subthreshold forms of hallucinations or delusions.

NOTE: DSM no longer recognizes any distinct subtypes of schizophrenia, including paranoid schizophrenia, due to limited diagnostic stability, low reliability, and poor validity.