on_thecouch Paranoid
[Paranoid]
“Let’s talk about Paranoia,” the therapist suggests.
Stella crosses her legs and eyes the therapist. “Alright. It’s a damaging psychological issue. Occasionally we run into a case where either the victims or the perpetrators have fallen to paranoia. It’s a horrible thing because generally in the course of the case, the person will come to realize what they’ve done.”
“What about personal paranoia?” the therapists pushes.
“I don’t have a problem with personal paranoia,” Stella responds but there’s a wince that’s visible. Stella doesn’t have a poker face and she never has.
“Are you certain? The last couple of years were difficult for you. You were assaulted and your home was broken into. You shot a man you had been in a relationship with. There was an HIV scare and an apartment fire. It wouldn’t be uncommon for you to suffer a bit of paranoia. It doesn’t mean you aren’t strong.”
Stella closes her eyes and takes a deep breath through her nose, exhaling through her mouth. “Most of the time, I’m fine. It’s not debilitating and it doesn’t interfere with my life. Occasionally, I feel like someone is following me. And the last time I felt that way, someone was. It’s not paranoia if it’s real.”
“Why do you feel like you’re subject to this occasional paranoia?”
Stella glances at her watch and recrosses her legs. She reaches up and fitzes with her hair. “I think it’s obvious. The incident with Frankie spooked me. He violated my personal space and my sense of security. I’ve moved beyond that point in my life. I’m alright with it,” she assures the therapist, one eyebrow arching and the corners of her mouth tipping up. It was a face that no one in the lab would argue with but for some reason it didn’t seem to work with this therapist.
“And yet you’re still paranoid.”
“Occasionally,” Stella corrects. She glances at her watch again. At that moment her cell phone vibrates and per their previous agreement, it’s Mac. “I’m sorry. I’ve got to go.”
She’s up off the couch and headed toward the door before the therapist can get her words out. “We’re going to have to talk this, Stella.”
“Next time,” Stella promises her with a smile. “Right now there’s some evidence that I’ve got to get a look at.”
She dials Mac’s number as she’s walking back to the lab. “Mac Taylor, I could kiss you right now.”
“Let’s talk about Paranoia,” the therapist suggests.
Stella crosses her legs and eyes the therapist. “Alright. It’s a damaging psychological issue. Occasionally we run into a case where either the victims or the perpetrators have fallen to paranoia. It’s a horrible thing because generally in the course of the case, the person will come to realize what they’ve done.”
“What about personal paranoia?” the therapists pushes.
“I don’t have a problem with personal paranoia,” Stella responds but there’s a wince that’s visible. Stella doesn’t have a poker face and she never has.
“Are you certain? The last couple of years were difficult for you. You were assaulted and your home was broken into. You shot a man you had been in a relationship with. There was an HIV scare and an apartment fire. It wouldn’t be uncommon for you to suffer a bit of paranoia. It doesn’t mean you aren’t strong.”
Stella closes her eyes and takes a deep breath through her nose, exhaling through her mouth. “Most of the time, I’m fine. It’s not debilitating and it doesn’t interfere with my life. Occasionally, I feel like someone is following me. And the last time I felt that way, someone was. It’s not paranoia if it’s real.”
“Why do you feel like you’re subject to this occasional paranoia?”
Stella glances at her watch and recrosses her legs. She reaches up and fitzes with her hair. “I think it’s obvious. The incident with Frankie spooked me. He violated my personal space and my sense of security. I’ve moved beyond that point in my life. I’m alright with it,” she assures the therapist, one eyebrow arching and the corners of her mouth tipping up. It was a face that no one in the lab would argue with but for some reason it didn’t seem to work with this therapist.
“And yet you’re still paranoid.”
“Occasionally,” Stella corrects. She glances at her watch again. At that moment her cell phone vibrates and per their previous agreement, it’s Mac. “I’m sorry. I’ve got to go.”
She’s up off the couch and headed toward the door before the therapist can get her words out. “We’re going to have to talk this, Stella.”
“Next time,” Stella promises her with a smile. “Right now there’s some evidence that I’ve got to get a look at.”
She dials Mac’s number as she’s walking back to the lab. “Mac Taylor, I could kiss you right now.”