Geeze! What are You, Paranoid?

A friend of mine was getting ready to drive to Florida by herself. A two day trip. I began to tell her all the safety tips I could think of (be aware, don’t let strangers get too close, how to keep from being carjacked, hotel/elevator safety, etc.).

“Geeze! What are you, paranoid?” she said to me. “Are you trying to make me paranoid?”

Paranoia? Or Being Prepared…

Paranoia is not the same thing as being prepared and aware. Paranoia is a confused mental state characterized by unreasonable false beliefs and delusions.

• It is not delusional to believe that we are living in a violent society.
• It is not delusional to be aware of your surroundings.
• It is not delusional to be distrustful of strangers.
• It is not delusional to believe that you should be ready and able to defend yourself and others.

Choosing to avoid strangers does not make you paranoid. Choosing to not talk to approaching strangers does not make you paranoid. Knowing how to injure an attacker so you can get away does not make you paranoid. You are simply prepared to defend yourself, to stay safe and to stay alive.

We live in a world full of danger. That’s a fact. There is evil everywhere. There are bad people who make a living by stealing from others. And some of them will hurt/kill their targets if necessary to get their payday. There are others who attack people just because they feel like it. No one is completely safe from becoming a victim of a crime.

Suspicion. Not Paranoia.

There’s nothing wrong with a healthy dose of suspicion. It doesn’t mean you’re being paranoid. It doesn’t mean you look around every corner expecting a thug. It doesn’t mean you’re constantly darting your eyes left and right. It means you’re smart. It means you’re prepared. It means you’re less likely to become a victim. A healthy dose of suspicion can save your life.

The question to ask yourself is not “am I being paranoid?” The question you need to ask yourself is “am I prepared?” Being prepared (practicing awareness skills, acknowledging that no one is safe from predators and learning how to avoid being targeted) can help you avoid danger.

You are not being paranoid. You’re being smart. You’re being prepared.

~Shereen

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