Paranoid

From the pathological killers who gunned down the innocents at Sandy Hook and Virginia Tech to the average citizen who s... (more)

From the pathological killers who gunned down the innocents at Sandy Hook and Virginia Tech to the average citizen who suspects the government is monitoring phone calls, the signs of paranoia are all around us. In this comprehensive overview of an increasingly serious problem, an experienced neuropsychologist and researcher describes what paranoia is, how and why it manifests itself, and the many forms it takes, including stalking, pathological jealousy, a reaction to post-traumatic stress disorder, and even militia movements. Using striking vignettes from the present and the past, each chapter illustrates specific manifestations of paranoia while also describing in layperson's terms the clinical analysis of the condition. Among the topics are delusional paranoia, paranoid symptoms in the elderly, the evolutionary origins of our "suspiciousness system" and factors that can trigger it today, the connection between illicit drug usage and paranoid behavior, jealousy, PTSD, violent reactions to paranoia, and the treatments available. The author emphasizes that life in contemporary America is a fertile environment for paranoia; in an era of computer hackers, omnipresent security cameras, NSA surveillance, and terrorism, "normal" people have good reasons to be suspicious. But in such an insecure atmosphere, everyday suspicion can easily be ratcheted up, resulting in irrational attitudes and violent outbursts. He warns of an epidemic of paranoia and suggests public health measures that could be used to counteract this potentially dangerous trend. Whether you consider yourself susceptible to paranoia or know others who might be, this enlightening book will help you understand the many factors that can distort your mental outlook. (less)

Twenty years ago, Rachel Gaston accidently shot and killed her brother in a teenage game that went horribly wrong. Today... (more)

Twenty years ago, Rachel Gaston accidently shot and killed her brother in a teenage game that went horribly wrong. Today, Rachel is moving on and trying to put the guilt of what happened behind her. But then she receives a text on the anniversary of her brother's death: I forgive you. This text is the first of many, all seemingly from the beyond the grave, and at the same time she is receiving midnight phone calls from a blocked number. Are these happenings malicious? Are the genuinely forgiving? Is she in danger? Or is Rachel just being paranoid? (less)

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There are people in Edgewater, Oregon, who think that twenty years ago, Rachel Gaston got away with murder. Rachel still... (more)

There are people in Edgewater, Oregon, who think that twenty years ago, Rachel Gaston got away with murder. Rachel still has no idea how a foolish teenaged game turned deadly, or who replaced the soft pellet air gun she thought she was using with a real weapon. When a figure leapt out at her from the darkness of the old fish processing plant, she fired without thinking. Too late, she recognized her half-brother, Luke, and saw the blood blooming around his chest. (less)