May 20, 20206 min read

Suspicious

Updated: Jun 11, 2020

Behaviors that alter your personality!

Have you ever had a feeling that was impossible to put your finger on? Something didn't feel right on the inside, and it was driving you to feel a little eerie about someone or something. What was so unsettling? Did the person do or say anything to you? Well, I have had plenty of suspicious thoughts resulting from a preconceived notion. No evidence. No proof. No justified answer to what I concluded.

Suspicion or Ease

“Suspicion without evidence is Paranoia. Can we talk about it or keep pretending it doesn't exist?”

Suspicion without evidence is Paranoia. Can we talk about it or keep pretending it doesn't exist? The reason a doctor asks your symptoms is to properly diagnose you. A runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, cough, sneezing, congestion, low-grade fever, slight body aches, or a mild headache are all symptoms of the common cold. Over-the-counter medications and rest can help. If symptoms progress, a physician is needed. Did you know the human body can carry symptoms for distorted personalities?

While I am not a doctor and am not making a diagnosis, I am sharing the research symptoms of the condition. The following definition of "Personality is the way of thinking, feeling, and behaving that makes a person different from other people. A Personality is influenced by:

experiences
environment (surroundings, life situations)
inherited characteristics.

When a Personality disorder differs significantly from what is expected, the pattern of experience and behavior begins by late adolescence or early adulthood and causes distress or problems in functioning and affects at least two of these areas:

Way of thinking about oneself and others
Way of responding emotionally
Way of relating to other people
Way of controlling one’s behavior (Robitz, 2018).

Distress or problems in any two of these areas distorts the personality and creates dysfunction in relationships. This is most likely the reason the Bible commands us to be transformed by renewing our minds. We need psychological healing. There are ten personality disorders that I want to address, but in this article, we will look at suspicious behaviors that cause paranoia.

"Paranoid personality disorder is a pattern of being suspicious of others and seeing them as mean or spiteful." Robitz, 2018.

"People with PPD (Paranoid Personality Disorder) are always on guard, believing that others are constantly trying to demean, harm, or threaten them. These generally unfounded beliefs, as well as their habits of blame and distrust, might interfere with their ability to form close relationships." Bhandari, 2018.

Is it safe to say, we behave in ways we have not learned to identify? For instance, one of the symptoms for overly suspicious people is "finding demeaning or threatening subtext in even the most innocent of comments or events." Martel, 2017. Think about it. Someone says good morning, and you respond, what does that mean, you usually say what's up? Since the phrase itself is innocent, suspicious people carry a doubt that looks for specific things to justify their feelings of mistrust. "The term paranoia refers to someone who feels excessively suspicious without justification, or that others are plotting against him. They read far too much into everything people say and are quick to criticize, but they are not open to criticism themselves." Heshmat, 2016. Let's look at some suspicious behavior in the bible:

1. David's innocent comment:

"David said, “I am going to show loyalty to Hanun because his father, Nahash, was always loyal to me.” So David sent messengers to express sympathy to Hanun about his father’s death." I Chronicles 19:2, NLT.

2. The Commanders Suspicions:

"But when David’s ambassadors arrived in the land of Ammon, the Ammonite commanders said to Hanun, “Do you really think these men are coming here to honor your father?

3. Finding demeaning or threatening subtext:

"No! David has sent them to spy out the land so they can come in and conquer it!” I Chronicles 19:3, NLT.

4. Paranoid Personality Behavior:

"So Hanun seized David’s ambassadors and shaved them, cut off their robes at the buttocks, and sent them back to David in shame." I Chronicles 19:4, NLT.

Not only did the Commanders question David's motive, but they also invoked a false claim with no evidence. How did these commanders conclude David sent his men to spy out the land to conquer it? Was it a result of unresolved grudges they may have been carrying over past dealings? Do we assume things and act irrationally over what we believe without evidence? Do we hold on to grudges, expect the worst in others, or provoke others to justify our beliefs? These men behaved rashly and caused their leader to react irresponsibly. Shaving a man's beard was an insult, and cutting out his robe at the buttocks was beyond disgraceful. Sure this is extreme, but it distinguishes between rational and irrational thinkers. A war broke out after this.

"Paranoia is a disorder of the mind, not a flaw of character. Paranoid individuals tend to have false ideas about the world and people." Heshmat, 2016.

Mental Health, MD lists other symptoms of paranoia:

Doubt the commitment, loyalty, or trustworthiness of others, believing others are using or deceiving them
Are reluctant to confide in others or reveal personal information due to a fear that the information will be used against them
Are unforgiving and hold grudges
Are hypersensitive and take criticism poorly
Read hidden meanings in the innocent remarks or casual looks of others
Perceive attacks on their character that are not apparent to others; they generally react with anger and are quick to retaliate
Have recurrent suspicions, without reason, that their spouses or lovers are being unfaithful
Are generally cold and distant in their relationships with others, and might become controlling and jealous
Cannot see their role in problems or conflicts and believe they are always right
Have difficulty relaxing
Are hostile, stubborn, and argumentative (Robitz, 2018).

Do not get me wrong. Cautious behavior is good. It is prompted by rational thinking that results in good judgment based on facts. Suspicions are fumed by false ideas that lead to unjustified claims. So what is the cure? "When treatment is sought, psychotherapy (a form of counseling) is the treatment of choice for PPD. Treatment likely will focus on increasing general coping skills, as well as on improving social interaction, communication, and self-esteem." (Robitz, 2018).

Personal Experience

I was going through a psychological battle. My thoughts were in a frenzy, and my emotions were off-centered. I doubted almost every relationship around me. No one could be trusted with my inner pain. I confided in no one, I buried everything inside. I had lost trust in people and confidence in relationships, including the one with me and Jesus. They had all failed me and I thought Jesus would fail me too. He was the first person I had to trust. In my book: Emotionally Unstable~ Growing up without my Daddy, I talk about my experience with facing a borderline personality disorder (BPD). Life had hit me in a major way. I was on the verge of losing everything, including my touch with reality. It wasn't until the middle of my journey that I realized, Jesus was acting as my Psychotherapist and I was his patient. He gave me hope with PRO:

Psychotherapy- This is therapeutic counseling that explores childhood traumas affecting adult experiences. "Psychotherapy can help a person understand the effects of their behavior on others and learn to manage or cope with symptoms and to reduce behaviors causing problems with functioning and relationships." (Robitz, 2018).
Research- This is collected information from credible and reliable sources that can be tested, trusted, and traced scientifically and biblically.
One Trusted Accountability Partner- This is not someone who will agree with everything you say. They hold you responsible for your behaviors and accountable for your actions. They listen to you, support you, and tell you the truth.

According to Psychiatric Specialist, Ankur Saraiya, Paranoid personality disorder should not be confused with Paranoid Schizophrenia.

Video courtesy Youtube: Ankur Saraiya MD. Psychiatrist Specializing in Holistic Health. What is Paranoid Personality Disorder: Mood Disorders?

While, this article only looks at the mild cases of personality behaviors, more severe cases may require immediate medical attention. "People with PPD often do not seek treatment on their own because they do not see themselves as having a problem." Robitz, 2018. If the symptoms prolong it can create deeper life-threatening issues. Don't ignore the signs. I believe God wants us to build healthy relationships together. It starts with self-admittance first.

LA~ Life Points:

Pain is inevitable- everyone will experience it, but only a few will talk about it.
Fear is a thief- everyone fights against it, but only a few will overcome it.
Love is intimate- everyone wants it, but only a few will embrace it.
Life is a journey- everyone must travel on it, but only a few will learn from it. (Armour, 2016).

Please share your comments below, I would love to hear your thoughts, concerns, or testimonials.

Share with anyone you think may benefit. If you would like to leave a message privately, please go to FaceBook@LA-Truth-Brand. Hope to see you at our next discussion.

References:

Armour, La Cherie. 2016. Emotionally Unstable~Growing up without my Daddy. LA & BookBaby Publishing.

Bhandari, Smitha MD. 2018, May 20. Paranoid Personality Disorder. Mental Health, WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/paranoid-personality-disorder#1

Heshmat, Shahram. 2016, May 24. 8 Key Traits of Paranoid Thinkers. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/science-choice/201602/8-key-traits-paranoid-thinkers

Martel, Janelle. 2017, May 17. Paranoid Personality Disorder, Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/paranoid-personality-disorder#outlook

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Suspicious. In Merriam-Webster.com thesaurus. Retrieved May 17, 2020, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suspicious

Robitz, Rachel M.D. 2018, November. What are Personality Disorders? American Psychiatric Association. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/personality-disorders/what-are-personality-disorders

Saraiya, Ankur. 2012, January 02. Howcast.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JzTTko6_rM

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