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Paranoia The word Paranoid is often used to describe people who are concerned about government power or who is careful to cover their tracks when using the Internet. This is actually a misuse of the word and as a result the original meaning of the word, as a psychological malaise related to schizophrenia, has been lost, or at least diminished. I knew someone who had a paranoid episode. He threatened his wife and children and had to be locked up in a mental hospital. On more than one occasion he was put in a straight jacket. Another acquaintance of mine who suffered from paranoia was convinced that complete strangers were talking about him and that people were plotting against him. This was very different to what is commonly called paranoia – it was completely irrational and had no basis in reality. If someone believes that the government is reading their email they may well be correct – this isn't being paranoid – but if they believe that the government has singled them out and is only reading their email, it is probably paranoia. The difference is in the degree of rationality. Many people who otherwise pass for normal suffer from paranoia in that they have an irrational view that other people have a morbid interest in their affairs. Underlying this paranoia is an immature ego. If you believe that people have nothing more to do than to plot against you than you have a high opinion of yourself. Some paranoid individuals believe that they are a reincarnation of Jesus Christ or some other important being. This paranoia engulfs the inhabitants of big cities and is so ingrained that parents are more concerned that their children should conform than that they should be able to think as individuals or that they should be successful. In fact, conformity (in the sense of being popular) is considered as synonymous with success. The overwhelming interest in fashion that many people have is part of this paranoia – they are obsessed with what other people think of them. It is often symptomatic of a low self esteem in that they want to conform or, ironically, they want to be noticed as trend setters. I've pointed out before (‘Fashion’) that followers of fashion and fashion setters are have the same attitudes. In order to achieve success you have to relate to your inner conscience and your inner guide, what the Old Testament prophets referred to as their Lord ( “…and the Lord said unto me…”). This means looking inwards rather than outwards to what other people may or may not approve of.