Paranoia

We've all been "paranoid" from time to time, often as a result of being tied. But why do we feel this way – why does our capacity to rationalise a situation become irrational?

Well again, let's consider why this emotion is even necessary and as before, let's go back in time.

If you are tired you are less able to react to danger, you may not be able to run away as fast or for as long, in other words, your performance is sub-optimal.

Your body wants you to survive so nature created a clever emotion to reduce the chances of you encountering risk while in a sub-optimal state; called paranoia. You will perceive risk which may be less likely simply because your body is less capable of dealing with something that could possibly arise.

Obviously current times you are never likely to be chased by a tiger, so paranoia leads us to perceive risk in other ways. You may perceive your career as poor, your romantic relationships as failing or friendships dwindling. Paranoia makes us negative – and because our lives are not at stake it is often best to simply ignore thoughts that are the result of you being run down and tired.

A rule that works for me; if the outcomes of your thoughts feel negative, ignore those ideas. Then, in a few days time when you are rested reconsider – often the problem which you originally perceived no longer feels like a problem.

And remember; if you drank alcohol the previous day this has a propensity in most people to bring out a degree of paranoia while your body copes with achieving its equilibrium.

Main points

• If the repercussions of our actions subsequent to our choices feel good we'll make that choice more often. If they feel bad, we'll tend to avoid that choice.