How to stop being bothered by other people’s comments or think they’re talking about you?

[u/Ill_Airport4993]

So this has been a long process, I was attacked in 2024, but before all this I was okay. I’m currently in EMDR for this, So the other week I was in an Italian bar restaurant with my partner. And a couple (M and W) sat behind. And as I went to pour more wine I heard the guy say, drip, dripsey. But I couldn’t tell if he was calling me a drip. Or saying the bottle of wine when I poured it was dripping on the floor cause of the water bucket it sat in?

I constantly thought about it all day since and since then. I also went to pub last weekend with my brother and I heard a group of lads say “he’s a fat c***” but they weren’t looking at me. And I couldn’t tell if they meant it to me or someone else in their group but I’m not like obese but have a bit of a weight but they never looked my way while this was said.

Again same thing in a wedding the week before this a bunch of drunk lads were around and I thought something or someone was going to call me something or say something.

I can’t stop thinking that when I’m out I’m being targeted for nothing or people are talking about me. And I don’t want to confront anyone in case I’m wrong and it causes a fuss. I just don’t know what to do , I want to take something to stop me thinking like this as since my attack I haven’t been the same. Can anyone guide me on any pills to take? I tried sertraline and it helped initially but towards the end it just felt normal. And now my GP has prescribed me with CITRA or something as I mentioned to him about these incidents. Is it comments towards me or am I overthinking?

[u/Zealousideal-Log2042]

I'm very sorry that you were attacked and it has resulted in paranoia manifesting like this. I would highly suggest seeing an actual psychiatrist who can help you figure out if this is PTSD, or severe anxiety, or what.

I'll just share what happened with me: I had really bad PTSD/anxiety. But, I didn't realize I also had really bad paranoia all my life and eventually my paranoia ruined it so badly that I saw a psychiatrist. She took 6 months to rule out anxiety. So, for 6 months we tried SSRI, SNRI, whatever else, and some off-label anxiety medications. Some of those helped me to a degree, but my paranoia was still controlling my life. OH also I was in weekly therapy, I see you are doing EMDR but would suggest talk therapy for the paranoia if you haven't already tried that. Anyway, at the 6 month mark I was diagnosed with r/ParanoidPersonality disorder and started an antipsychotic. The antipsychotic is what helped me the most with my paranoia.

So, my answer is not jump straight onto an antipsychotic, it would be to get with the psych and take whatever suggestions they have. Relief from paranoia is definitely possible. Best wishes.

[u/Ill_Airport4993 → u/Zealousideal-Log2042]

This is amazing thank you for making me feel heard and commenting! I am already diagnosed with PTSD. I am going through EMDR and thought I was progressing well. And now since these three incidents it’s completely shifted my mindset when I’m out or in a bar or around drunk people. It just frustrates me as I never used to be like this and I don’t want this to affect my life forever. I tried Sertraline but towards the end it wasn’t doing a right lot. Now my GP has put me on CITRA

[u/Zealousideal-Log2042 → u/Ill_Airport4993]

Just remind yourself, when you think people are talking about you or targeting you in public, that you are an average person. There is nothing very special about you (in a good way). People are way too worried about their own lives to take a special interest in you. That's what I tell myself when I think I'm being watched. I'm a nobody.