--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Paranoia's OK,\" said Berry, \"it's just a…" description: "\"“Paranoia's OK,\" said Berry, \"it's just a more primitive defense. If you think someone's watching you, you think you're not alone.”\" — Samuel Shem" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d98/samuel-shem-28474_paranoia_paranoia-s-ok-said-berry-it-s-just-a-mor_160993.png" --- # Paranoia's OK," said Berry, "it's just a more primitive… ![“Paranoia's OK," said Berry, "it's just a more primitive defense. If you think someone's watching you, you think you're not alone.” quote by Samuel Shem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d98/samuel-shem-28474_paranoia_paranoia-s-ok-said-berry-it-s-just-a-mor_160993.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d98/samuel-shem-28474_paranoia_paranoia-s-ok-said-berry-it-s-just-a-mor_160993.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d98/samuel-shem-28474_paranoia_paranoia-s-ok-said-berry-it-s-just-a-mor_160993.png) > ““Paranoia's OK," said Berry, "it's just a more primitive defense. If you think someone's watching you, you think you're not alone.”” [Samuel Shem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-shem/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Paranoia serves as a primitive defense, signaling perceived surveillance and a sense of connection. **In simple terms:** Paranoia is a basic way to feel not alone. Key Takeaway Use awareness of paranoia to explore underlying needs. Themes psychology defense mechanisms social connection Mood anxious introspective Type cautionary philosophical When to use this quote - stressful - social media use - relationship anxiety - creative work Key Concepts mental health existential sociology Questions to Reflect On - Why do you feel watched in certain contexts? - What healthier ways can you seek connection? A Different Perspective Paranoia can also impair trust and rational judgment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Paranoia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paranoia/) ## Related quotes > [If you're Iran's minister of defense, I think you'd try to develop at least one nuclear weapon to save yourself from what happened to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-mcgovern/if-you-re-iran-s-minister-of-defense-i-think-you-d-try-to-develop-at/) [George McGovern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-mcgovern/) > [A big part of defense is effort and moving your feet and a will and wanting to play defense. You put it all together,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-huerter/a-big-part-of-defense-is-effort-and-moving-your-feet-and-a-will-and/) [Kevin Huerter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-huerter/) > [I realize I have to continue to work on defense. I think a lot of people have to work on defense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmer-fredette/i-realize-i-have-to-continue-to-work-on-defense-i-think-a-lot-of/) [Jimmer Fredette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmer-fredette/) > [When you hear '3 and D guy,' you think of someone that can stand in the corner, make some jump shots when they need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-hart/when-you-hear-3-and-d-guy-you-think-of-someone-that-can-stand-in-the/) [Josh Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-hart/) > [As a former secretary of defense, I think Donald Rumsfeld is the best secretary of defense the United States has ever had.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-cheney/as-a-former-secretary-of-defense-i-think-donald-rumsfeld-is-the-best/) [Dick Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-cheney/) > [People watch the points, they watch the highlights. But the defense I think helps the offense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudy-gobert/people-watch-the-points-they-watch-the-highlights-but-the-defense-i/) [Rudy Gobert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudy-gobert/) > [There's variables at every single gig. I look forward to those every night. We have a lot of things that happen in our show,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyler-joseph/there-s-variables-at-every-single-gig-i-look-forward-to-those-every/) [Tyler Joseph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyler-joseph/) > [One of my early memories is of a white girl twirling in a circle. I realized later on that it was from that show…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martine-syms/one-of-my-early-memories-is-of-a-white-girl-twirling-in-a-circle-i/) [Martine Syms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martine-syms/) > [I don't really have an aversion to watching myself. I think I've been doing it for long enough that I have a system of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-whitman/i-don-t-really-have-an-aversion-to-watching-myself-i-think-i-ve-been/) [Mae Whitman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-whitman/) > [Sometimes I get a little exhausted by shows or movies that are constantly throwing famous people on. And I find it so much more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tig-notaro/sometimes-i-get-a-little-exhausted-by-shows-or-movies-that-are/) [Tig Notaro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tig-notaro/) > [I'm not good at watching myself which I think is perfectly natural. I don't give myself a hard time about it. I am the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-nighy/i-m-not-good-at-watching-myself-which-i-think-is-perfectly-natural-i/) [Bill Nighy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-nighy/) > [I love movies and I think that we wouldn't ever stop making videos just because people aren't watching them. I think that's just kinda…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-vanwyngarden/i-love-movies-and-i-think-that-we-wouldn-t-ever-stop-making-videos/) [Andrew VanWyngarden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-vanwyngarden/) > [I love watching him think," Maeve told Lily. "You can almost hear that poor little hamster running and running on its wheel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/i-love-watching-him-think-maeve-told-lily-you-can-almost-hear-that/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) > [Goodness," Myrnin said quietly. "I don't think I should be watching this. I don't think I'm old enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-caine/goodness-myrnin-said-quietly-i-don-t-think-i-should-be-watching-this/) [Rachel Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-caine/) > [I am a stress buster. Because I knew what people react or think after watching me on screen and I love it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rakhi-sawant/i-am-a-stress-buster-because-i-knew-what-people-react-or-think-after/) [Rakhi Sawant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rakhi-sawant/) ## More by Samuel Shem > [“We were putting into these gomers our fear of death, but who knew if they feared death? Perhaps they welcomed death like a dear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-shem/we-were-putting-into-these-gomers-our-fear-of-death-but-who-knew-if/) [Samuel Shem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-shem/) > [The delivery of medical care is to do as much nothing as possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-shem/the-delivery-of-medical-care-is-to-do-as-much-nothing-as-possible/) [Samuel Shem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-shem/) > [“Law XIII. THE DELIVERY OF MEDICAL CARE IS TO DO AS MUCH NOTHING AS POSSIBLE”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-shem/law-xiii-the-delivery-of-medical-care-is-to-do-as-much-nothing-as/) [Samuel Shem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-shem/) > [Yes, last year in interviewing. Empathy is when you repeat the last three words the patient says and nod your head.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-shem/yes-last-year-in-interviewing-empathy-is-when-you-repeat-the-last/) [Samuel Shem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-shem/) > [“Basch: So why don't you ask her out? The Runt: I'm scared she wouldn't like me and say no. -So what? What have you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-shem/basch-so-why-don-t-you-ask-her-out-the-runt-i-m-scared-she-wouldn-t/) [Samuel Shem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-shem/) > [“Gomers are human beings who have lost what goes into being human beings. They want to die, and we will not let them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-shem/gomers-are-human-beings-who-have-lost-what-goes-into-being-human/) [Samuel Shem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-shem/) > [“Every intern makes mistakes. The important thing is neither to make the same mistakes twice nor to make a whole bunch of mistakes all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-shem/every-intern-makes-mistakes-the-important-thing-is-neither-to-make/) [Samuel Shem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-shem/) > [There is no body cavity that cannot be reached with a number fourteen needle and a good strong arm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-shem/there-is-no-body-cavity-that-cannot-be-reached-with-a-number-fourteen/) [Samuel Shem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-shem/) > [“I found myself thinking of Potts as a tragic figure, a guy who'd been a happy towheaded kid you'd love to take fishing with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-shem/i-found-myself-thinking-of-potts-as-a-tragic-figure-a-guy-who-d-been/) [Samuel Shem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-shem/) > [The patient is the one with the disease](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-shem/the-patient-is-the-one-with-the-disease/) [Samuel Shem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-shem/) > [“Life's like a penis; When it's soft you can't beat it; When it's hard you get screwed. - The Fat Man, Medical Resident in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-shem/life-s-like-a-penis-when-it-s-soft-you-can-t-beat-it-when-it-s-hard/) [Samuel Shem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-shem/) > [“But gomers are not just dear old people,” said Fats. “Gomers are human beings who have lost what goes into being human beings. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-shem/but-gomers-are-not-just-dear-old-people-said-fats-gomers-are-human/) [Samuel Shem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-shem/) > [“Sometimes, drunk, I ruminate on the state of my liver, and think of all the cirrhotics I have watched turn yellow and die. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-shem/sometimes-drunk-i-ruminate-on-the-state-of-my-liver-and-think-of-all/) [Samuel Shem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-shem/) > [“It's an incredible paradox that being a doctor is so degrading and yet is so valued by society”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-shem/it-s-an-incredible-paradox-that-being-a-doctor-is-so-degrading-and/) [Samuel Shem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-shem/) > [At a cardiac arrest, the first procedure is to take your own pulse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-shem/at-a-cardiac-arrest-the-first-procedure-is-to-take-your-own-pulse/) [Samuel Shem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-shem/) [Explore all 19 Samuel Shem quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-shem/) ## More Paranoia quotes > [“I swear that I will never cause trouble for anybody, as long as I live!! So please! Nobody cause any trouble for me, either!!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minoru-furuya/i-swear-that-i-will-never-cause-trouble-for-anybody-as-long-as-i-live/) Minoru Furuya > [To understand paranoid people better, follow them around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/to-understand-paranoid-people-better-follow-them-around/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) > [“just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean someone’s not following you, does it?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shauna-granger/just-because-you-re-paranoid-doesn-t-mean-someone-s-not-following-you/) Shauna Granger > [ I think his \[Reagan's\] policy toward the Soviet Union was more risky than most people realize, and it was risky because of the paranoia… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-e-hoffman/i-think-his-reagan-s-policy-toward-the-soviet-union-was-more-risky/) [David E. Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-e-hoffman/) > [“Was is paranoia? Exaggeration? A lie? This happens almost daily. This is why you call another mother when something happens, good or bad, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ad-hudler/was-is-paranoia-exaggeration-a-lie-this-happens-almost-daily-this-is/) [Ad Hudler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ad-hudler/) > [Psychedelic drugs cause paranoia, confusion, and total loss of reality in politicians that have never taken them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-leary/psychedelic-drugs-cause-paranoia-confusion-and-total-loss-of-reality/) [Timothy Leary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-leary/) > [I don't believe in fate or destiny. I believe in various degrees of hatred, paranoia, and abandonment. However much of that gets heaped upon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/i-don-t-believe-in-fate-or-destiny-i-believe-in-various-degrees-of/) [Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) > [Paranoia is just another mask for ignorance. The truth, when you finally chase it down is almost always far worse than your darkest visions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/paranoia-is-just-another-mask-for-ignorance-the-truth-when-you/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [Paranoia is a state of heightened awareness. Most people are persecuted beyond their wildest delusions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-steiner/paranoia-is-a-state-of-heightened-awareness-most-people-are/) Claude Steiner > [“Paranoid means you are aware of 10% of the problem”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oran-kangas/paranoid-means-you-are-aware-of-10-of-the-problem/) [Oran Kangas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oran-kangas/) > [“Terrorism is not just about indiscriminate violence. As its name suggests, it is about instilling paranoia”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-priest/terrorism-is-not-just-about-indiscriminate-violence-as-its-name/) [Dana Priest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-priest/) > [For all the claims one hears about the liberating impact of the data-net, the truth is that it's wished on most of us a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brunner/for-all-the-claims-one-hears-about-the-liberating-impact-of-the-data/) [John Brunner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brunner/) > [“Just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they aren’t after you. - Joseph Heller”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blake-crouch/just-because-you-re-paranoid-doesn-t-mean-they-aren-t-after-you/) [Blake Crouch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blake-crouch/) > [We work in a business where you feel you always have to say yes because you never know when you will work again. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamzin-outhwaite/we-work-in-a-business-where-you-feel-you-always-have-to-say-yes/) [Tamzin Outhwaite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamzin-outhwaite/) > [Of course, mankind would not have landed on the Moon in 1969, were it not for two things: conquered Nazi rocket technology and post-war…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duke/of-course-mankind-would-not-have-landed-on-the-moon-in-1969-were-it/) [Charles Duke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duke/) [Browse all 417 Paranoia quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paranoia/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Paranoia's OK,\" said Berry, \"it's just a more primitive defense. 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