Paranoia making anyone an introvert

So I have been noticing when I’m out in crowded places I get paranoid and begin to watch everyone that could be a potential threat to my family and me. Am I going crazy or are there more people like me in this forum??? I am becoming like my father, I would rather be at home or with close family and friends then going out. I am beginning to hate places like the mall, large crowds, and even Wal-Mart. Hoping that it’s not just an overactive trigger finger, pulling my weapon is that last thing I ever want to do![UZI]

Nothing wrong with situational awareness.

How's it go?

Smile, but have a plan to kill everyone you meet.

It is a good idea to be aware of your surroundings thats for sure.....but maybe overdoing it can add a lot more unneeded stress to an already stressful world. I have to learn to relax a little myself.

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Originally Posted by lex137

So I have been noticing when I’m out in crowded places I get paranoid and begin to watch everyone that could be a potential threat to my family and me. Am I going crazy . . . Hoping that it’s not just an overactive trigger finger, pulling my weapon is that last thing I ever want to do![UZI]

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You need to relax. As bad as things are, they ain't that bad. Just common sense awareness of idiots paying too much attention to you or closing the distance are all you really need to do. And you should have options other than shooting them, especially if they're not actually attacking you.

BTW: everyone hates Wal-Mart, the mall, and large crowds, but don't confuse annoyance and misanthropy with paranoia. Paranoia = weakness. Relax.

Yea lex--I feel about the same and I've always kinda been that way. I've never liked being in large crowds but stores don't bother me.

I've always been very aware of my surroundings--yea--situational awareness but I was born and raised in Camden NJ--and lived-- LOL.
I don't consider it paranoia--it's personnel responsibilty.
Plus--no need to be paranoid if your preppared

You are not alone. I have been in condition yellow for almost 20 years now. I am always scanning and checking out everyone around me. Its gotten a little worse since my boys came along.

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Originally Posted by Clint45

BTW: everyone hates Wal-Mart, the mall, and large crowds, but don't confuse annoyance and misanthropy with paranoia. Paranoia = weakness. Relax.

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Clint45 you could be onto somthing, lol. Made some good points. Thanks for the replys.

Not paranoid...just ready.

So i can GUESS which malls/stores he's talking about.

I never go to Aurora Mall at night.

I never go to the walmart on Exposition unless I've got someone to watch my back.

here's what I perceive of as a "problem"...

Seen the McDonald's thing? Beatings and the like happen in crowded public places ALL THE TIME. Nobody helps, nobody intervenes. You can end up dead just for looking at someone. It's almost happened to me a couple of times, the "mad dog stare" thing. Fortunately I carry things which tend to keep me safe, but I dont COUNT on them. For the same reasons you wouldn't walk in downtown Tripoli right now, I don't walk into some places anymore.

Yeah, we're brushing against the topic of "racial tension" because, face it, THATS where gang members or wannabe's (correction; gonna-be's) hang out to do some "work" for their set.

Aurora PD has two police officers assigned to the mall, but you'd be hard pressed to find them most of the time. They have security, but they're not much use in keeping you safe, they carry no form of weapon whatsoever, and their training is STRICLY 'observe and report'. Frankly, when one of those things breaks out - you need numbers, and one security guard with the right training and attitude wouldn't be much use.

Century `16 in Aurora? On a Friday night they have 4 APD officers working off duty.

having gone to different chain stores, I can say that if you switch WHERE you shop, your anxiety level will come down. Drive a few miles out of your way, it does help.

So I would say that it's your environment you're responding to, and it's normal. It's very very easy for someone to say, "calm down", but they're not in your position - and perhaps have no family to look after while out and about. I never ever dispose of someone's prickly feelings in these manners, because they're always some reason their hindbrain is telling them to get the heck out of there.

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Originally Posted by CareyH

Not paranoid...just ready.

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^^ this

Al tho large crowds certainly aren't my preference, they don't keep me locked away in my home. With that said, i'm not real fond of large events and crowded spaces, not paranoia, just don't like dealing with that many folks in one area.

What I do limit to the home, that I haven't always, is alcohol consumption. Too much that can happen IMO, and I don't want to be intoxicated if it does, i.e. not able to carry, altered mindset. I will drink at the house, or at a very close, like minded friends house.