Is paranoia a symptom or a reaction of Bipolar?

[kittycat27]

 Hello to all , feeling kinda froggy at the minute. Anyways as for my question, I seem to be extremely paranoid of lots of different things. As you might of read I am terrified of bridges. I used to think of just the larger ones, but anymore I get extremely paranoid of smaller ones. I think the bridge is going to collapse, or someone will hit me and I will go off the bridge. Is this paranoia or being scared to die? I analyze every situation, I even thought about changing school, so I wouldn't have to cross this bridge. Another weird thing I thought about was purchasing one of those things in case you gt trapped in water you can poke in on the glass and break the glass and get out. Freaky huh?! I visualize incidents in my head on what I would do in just about every area. I am getting worse, i do this with my child too. Paranoid of her falling, drowning, getting kidnapped.... you get the idea. Is this "normal", is this even called paranoia, or am I scared for my loved ones to die and myself included?

[HW_laura_s_2002]

Nickie,

I don't know the answer to your question but I know I suffered severe paranoia at one point during this illness. Ended up getting my antipsychotic increased and it took care of the problem.

Take care,

Laura

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[kittycat27]

 Hey LAura, what type of antipsychotic were you on? Also do you know if the meds cause it? If not , I see my doc in 1 week, maybe I can since if he can increase my med. It hasn't been increased in a little while. Thanks for responding, it is vey much appreciated!!!

[bipolarwoman]

Hi, kitty!

I'm sorry you are having that problem, yes it's common.  Just another wonderful symptom.

I have that really bad, totally paranoid about something happening to my husband.  Every single day I get horrible thoughts/vision of him dying in a car accident.  It's awful. Also, I am kinda paranoid about people talking about me behind my back; I always have been mostly because they were!  But it's like, every time I go out of the house, I think people are staring at me.  I hate that.

I haven't found anything to get rid of these, but Laura is right, antipsychotics do help a little.  I  take Seroquel, no weight gain on that one.  Careful about your diabetes, tho.  They can all make it a little worse, keep an eye on it, you will be ok.

[kittycat27]

 So Shannon, is it classified as paranoi or anxiety, so I know to tell my doc next week. He likes me to be very specific. How do you distinguish between the two? Thanks again, as you do that with your husband , I do it with my daughter. Scary isn't!?

[bipolarwoman]

Paranoid is in regard to yourself, meaning other people looking at or talking about you, or having plans to harm you in some way.