Paranoid or just smart?

SongWriter · Post by **SongWriter** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 7:47 pm

I have had many simple minded coworkers accuse me of being paranoid. However, I hardly am ever wrong by my "predictions." So maybe it's not paranoia after all, maybe it's intelligence?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 6:23 am

You are probably very intuitive and analytical (hence the problem with anxiety). People often tell me that I over analyze things or "look too deeply" into a matter or tell me that I"m paranoid. My assumptions can't always be proven to be true due to their nature, but I can't help but feel as though I can always see a person's motivations even if they don't indicate anything about them..or even the exact opposite. I can also see how all the pieces fit together to make the big picture in terms of work/social environments, etc. If this is what you mean by "paranoid" then I don't think you are paranoid. HOWEVER, if you ARE correct in your assumptions, you can't OBSESS over it or let it effect your life negatively. That's when a gift turns into a burden....which is exactly what anxiety is....giftedness turned upside down.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 2:08 pm

Originally posted by Chameleon82:
That's when a gift turns into a burden....which is exactly what anxiety is....giftedness turned upside down.

Chameleon82 thank you! It sounds like we are on the same page./ I'm not paranoid! I have a gift of intuition! I love what you wrote at the end, about a gift turning into a burden... giftedness turned upside down! Where do you get that from?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 9:38 am

Hey I'm glad I can help!! I'm not sure EXACTLY where I got that... I may have just made it up myself - at least those exact words. However, I started questioning the whole "mental illness" thing really intensely back in 2004, and I came across a really amazing book; it's called Liberating Everyday Genius by Mary Elaine Jacobson, I believe. I highly recommend getting it. It's out of print, but I'm sure you can find it on amazon or whatnot. That book totally describes a "bi polar" person or someone with "OCD" etc, but it's written in a way that explains how this type of person is "gifted", not as someone with a "disorder" that needs "fixed". One of the traits of these individuals is an intuitive sense and ability to see through a person's bs and get down to their true motives. The problem comes when the discerning person calls them out on it constantly....Even if they are right, no one wants to be exposed like that ahahhaha. It makes for some awkward interpersonal relationships. Also, the gifted person become unnecessarily burdened by the low moral compass of others who are "out to get" him or her. So, because this type of personality is so intense and complex, it can become twisted and paralyze a person from becoming fulfilled in life. Lucinda also talks about the personality of an anxiety sufferer...she says we are chalked full of potential, very creative and intelligent, etc. That's why we can turn our worrying "skills" into effective creative planning. They are two sides of the same coin.

Just don't let someone who's a gossip ruin your well being. If they are trying to put your career in jeopardy then definitely do some undercover detective work, but other than that, it's NOT WORTH all the negativity that's produced. Whether they intend it or realize it or not, you will fall right into their trap by obsessing over their motives and actions. I know it's difficult because you probably have a strong sense of justice, but you have to remind yourself that it's really NOT worth getting worked up over. Choose your battles wisely. We can't fight them all.