ARE YOU A PARANOIAC P

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 5, 7 January 1908, Page 2

ARE YOU A PARANOIAC P

(By Ella Wheeler Wilcox.)

Do you know what is the meaning of the word Paranoiac? It means a monomariiac on some one subject. A person who is sane on all subjects save one; and the modern use of the word paranpiac applies particularly to one who is ( obsessed with the idea of persecution. in some form. Have, yoijt any symptoms of paranoia?

The question makes you indignant; but stop •»' bit and consider. Have you no pet fear? Do you not ofttimes think that fate has boycotted you? Do you not frequently say when things go wrong: "That is just my luckP" If you imagine it is your luck to have thngs go wrong, then you are in the early stages of paranoia. Tou have the monomania that you are selected by fate to be a failure, and that inanimate objects, and unforeseen events are constantly imposed before, you, to prevent you from doing what you desire. That is paranoia. «Do you.think your friends neglect you, and that, you are slighted and looked clown uponP That is only another form of the same disease. The time to arrest this disease is in the •very beginning. It is one of the most subtle and insidious of all ailments, if left to feed itself upon disordered fancies. Take yourself in hand right now.

. "Get thee* behind me, Satan," is a very good command to give this obsessing idea. Drive out the thought that you are unlucky, by constant assertions that you are good luck, success, achievement, and opulence. Drive out the idea that you are neglected and unappreciated by the assertions that you are love, friendship, usefulness, popularity, and power." Fill yourself with the consciousness that you are the Expression of Divine Love, and that whatever there is in the universe that you desire belongs to you. No one and nothing can take it from you .but yourself. Fear nothing and nobody. Expect the very best to happen, and whatever happens be sure it is the very best, however bad it may seem at first. Say every day: "This is Love's supreme decree,

'Only good can come to me. This is a cure, and a sure cure, for paranoia. But begin right away to aptoly the cure.