Paranoia is the irrational and persistent feeling that people are ‘out to get you’ or that you are the subject of continual attention by others.

This unreasonable mistrust of others can make it difficult for a person with paranoia to function socially or have close relationships.

Paranoid symptoms may range from mild to severe. They depend on the cause but, generally, a person who is paranoid may:

• Be easily offended
• Find it difficult to trust others
• Not cope with any type of criticism
• Give harmful meanings to other people’s remarks
• Be always on the defensive
• Be hostile, aggressive and argumentative
• Not be able to compromise
• Find it difficult, if not impossible, to ‘forgive and forget’
• Assume that people are saying bad things about them behind their back
• Be overly suspicious – for example, think that other people are lying or scheming to cheat them
• Not be able to confide in anyone
• Find relationships difficult
• Consider the world to be a place of constant threat
• Feel persecuted by the world at large
• Believe in unproven ‘conspiracy theories’

If you are worried talk about it talk to a trusted friend, or go to your GP to seek some mental health support.

Find more information about paranoia here

What are the symptoms of being unable to concentrate?

Being unable to concentrate affects people differently. Some symptoms you may experience include:

• Being unable to remember things that occurred a short time ago
• Difficulty sitting still
• Difficulty thinking clearly
• Frequently losing things or having difficulty remembering where things are
• Inability to make decisions
• Inability to perform complicated tasks
• Lack of focus
• Lacking physical or mental energy to concentrate
• Making careless mistakes

You may notice that it’s harder to concentrate at certain times of day or in certain settings. Other people may comment that you appear distracted.

If you’re having trouble focusing these tips might help:

• Try to remove distractions. For example, clear up desk clutter, switch off notifications, and only listen to music if it helps you focus.
• Notice when you lose attention. Identifying a pattern might prompt you to concentrate better.
• You could review your medications. Some drugs and supplements can affect your thinking.
• Try practicing time blocking. For example, making a plan to work for one hour then rest, or stretch for 5 minutes.
• Eat fruit rather than sugary snacks. Sugar can cause your blood glucose levels to spike and dip, making you feel less energetic after a while.
• Keep your brain active. Do puzzles or other activities that keep you thinking actively.
• Practice mindfulness meditation. This can help train your thoughts and bring them back to centre.
• Look after your body: Exercise and a varied diet that is rich in essential nutrients can boost your physical wellbeing and may help enhance your mental health.
• Makes lists and set achievable goals. Written lists, plans, and goals can help you prioritise and remember the tasks you need to do without them cluttering your mind.

If you are worried about feeling unable to focus, speak to a trusted friend or family member and seek some medical advice.

If you feel your thoughts starting to spin or becoming negative, it's important to recognise what is happening. You can then take steps to calm your mind and stop yourself from overthinking.

If you are struggling to sleep because you constantly have a busy mind, visit our sleep page for help and information.

FYI sleep page

If you catch yourself overthinking, question whether your thoughts are based on facts or just worries. Are there other ways to look at the situation? This can help you see things differently and reduce unnecessary worry.

When overthinking becomes too much, try to take a break from your thoughts.

You can do this by doing something you enjoy - reading a book, drawing, playing sport, or spending time with friends and family. All of these things will help distract your mind.

If you are overthinking what might happen in the future or what has happened in the past, try to focus on being in the present.

Use your senses to notice the things around you - sights, sounds, smells and textures. Doing this can help to shift your attention away from negative thoughts and bring you back to the present moment.

Talk to someone you trust, like a parent, teacher, or college/university counsellor about what you're going through. They can offer guidance, support, and help you find ways to manage your overthinking.

Sometimes, just sharing your thoughts with someone who listens can make a big difference.