What Causes Paranoia?

The term "paranoia" is one that many people throw around like it's nothing. While mild paranoia is common among the general population, this state of mind can have a debilitating effect on a person's life. It can be a long-term problem exacerbated by lifestyle, mental health troubles, and more.

But what causes paranoia?

What is Paranoia?

First, let's go over what paranoia is and isn't. Contrary to popular belief, this issue is not a mental health condition. It can directly impact mental disorders, but experts don't view it as such. Instead, it's a state of mind.

When you get paranoia counselling, professionals help you overcome irrational beliefs that you're being threatened. Your state of mind could lead you to believe someone is coming for you, causing harm or exploitation.

The Causes of Paranoia

There's no single cause of paranoia. It's a complex way of thinking, and people often get to this point after their ability to see the reasoning in events surrounding their life diminishes. For most people, it's not a sudden issue. It develops over time.

As mentioned earlier, mild paranoia is widespread. But those thoughts typically go away, and the irrational thinking resolves itself. However, those that suffer from paranoia long-term may have to grapple with its effects for far longer.

Researchers believe paranoia could stem from genetics and hormonal changes in the brain. It may even be a result of traumatic events a person witnesses. In all likelihood, it's a combination of factors that create the perfect storm of irrational thinking and the inability to assign meaning to everyday events.

Mental Health Disorders and Paranoia

Part of paranoia counselling is getting to the root of the problem. In doing so, therapists might conclude that another mental health struggle exacerbates your paranoid thoughts.

Many conditions can create paranoia. For example, it's a common symptom of paranoid personality disorder, delusional disorder, and schizophrenia.

Getting Help

Whether you see symptoms of paranoia in a loved one or yourself, don't hesitate to seek professional help. Working through your thoughts is the only way to overcome this state of mind. Therapists are there to lend a listening ear and guide you back to reality.

Read a similar article about counselling for PTSD here at this page.

How CBT Helps with Body Image Issues

In the age of social media, body image issues are more widespread than ever. It's not a minor problem, either. Negative body image can lead to low self-esteem and pave the way for even more significant concerns like eating disorders and mental health troubles.

Fortunately, there are ways to get help. Body image counselling promotes acceptance, helping individuals overcome their issues and develop a more positive body image. It provides support and can be life-changing. There are many counselling approaches, but one of the most common is CBT.

CBT and Body Image

CBT stands for cognitive behaviour therapy. It's a popular therapy technique that applies to many conditions. The goal is to identify negative thought patterns, understand their connection to an individual's issues, and take steps to combat the norm for a healthier outlook.

For body image problems, CBT is a game-changer. It starts with understanding how a person looks at themselves and spotting moments when they become self-sabotaging. For example, someone might have specific triggers that begin the cycle of self-criticism. That could be looking at social media and comparing an influencer's looks with theirs, or it might stem from bad experiences shopping for clothes.

Whatever the case, learning what those triggers are is half the battle. Knowing what causes self-criticism empowers an individual to make a chance.

During body image counselling, people learn how to silence that self-saboteur. They adopt techniques to shift their mindset, fighting back against the negative thoughts to be mindful and positive. Like any other mental health issue, overcoming negative body image takes time. But regular CBT can make a big difference.

Putting Things Into Perspective

Contrary to popular belief, inundating a person who deals with body image issues with compliments isn't the best approach. It only reinforces the importance of looks, and despite the good intentions, it may come off as insincere.

Body image and concepts of beauty are all subjective. It's important to acknowledge someone's feelings and encourage them to get help. Body image problems are more complex than they seem at the surface level, and the best way to address them is with the guidance of an experienced therapist.

Read a similar article about weight loss counselling here at this page.