Posted by wendy b. on March 31, 2003, at 21:35:07
In reply to Re: NY Times article on paranoia » wendy b., posted by WorryGirl on March 31, 2003, at 19:51:15
> Wendy,
> Thanks for sharing.noooo problemo.
> > Of course, she was right. And the unshakable nature of her belief was the clincher.
> >
> > Certainly none of her ideas were bizarre or impossible. People are harassed and envied all the time. But her absolute absence of doubt was what made her psychotic. She could not imagine being wrong.
> >
>
> This helped me feel better because there are times I've had these kinds of thoughts; the difference was if someone were to confront me, I could possibly be convinced I was wrong.
that is, i guess, the litmus test, from the perspective of this doctor. it seems to make sense to me. shades of gray vs. black/white thinking. possibilities for being mistaken.
> > Paranoia may even confer an adaptive advantage in some instances. After all, someone who is always watching his back and is mindful that his peers are driven by self-interest is more likely to have a competitive edge when one is needed.
> >
>
> I used to work at a brokerage and understand this. I often wonder if it didn't permanently leave me in a semi-paranoid state (or "paranoid state" as you quoted).
sure, cut-throat business practices and the desire to "win" at any price would probably be great breeding grounds for paranoia in general, maybe some kind of mass paranoia. watch your back, somebody else might steal all your toys...
glad you found it interesting...wendy
poster:wendy b.
thread:214838
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030329/msgs/214903.html