Feeling like everyone wants to deceive or harm you all the time can be distressing and may indicate the presence of excessive distrust or paranoia. There could be several reasons why you might experience these feelings:
Past experiences: Previous negative experiences, such as betrayal, deception, or abuse, can create a lasting impact on your trust in others. If you have been hurt in the past, it might lead you to be overly cautious and wary of people's intentions.
Personality traits: Certain personality traits or styles can influence how you perceive and interact with others. People with traits like high anxiety, introversion, or a tendency to be suspicious might find it challenging to trust others easily.
Low self-esteem: If you struggle with low self-esteem, you might believe that others are trying to deceive you or take advantage of you, reinforcing your feelings of paranoia.
Mental health conditions: Paranoia and distrust can be symptoms of various mental health conditions, such as paranoid personality disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, or even depression.
Cognitive biases: Cognitive biases are patterns of thinking that can influence how we interpret information. For instance, confirmation bias, where you only notice information that confirms your existing beliefs, can lead you to perceive deceptive intentions in others.
Cultural or societal factors: Certain cultural or societal factors may encourage suspicion or emphasize the importance of vigilance, leading to a heightened sense of mistrust.
It's essential to recognize that while a certain level of caution is healthy, excessive and irrational distrust can impact your well-being and relationships. If you find that your feelings of paranoia and lack of trust are interfering with your daily life or causing distress, consider seeking help from a mental health professional. Therapy can be beneficial in exploring the underlying reasons for your feelings, developing coping strategies, and improving your ability to trust others in appropriate ways. Additionally, a mental health professional can assess if there is an underlying mental health condition contributing to your experiences and provide appropriate treatment.