The Angels are out to get you

We all know about paranoia and the belief that people are out to get us. But is there an opposite state to paranoia? Turns out there is, and it is called 'pronoia', which is the belief the people are plotting good things behind your back. And saying how wonderful you are. Mmmmm - that would be nice wouldn't it?

But may be a tad unlikely? Paranoia certainly seems more believable than pronoia. But maybe that's just the paranoia itself speaking. Take the NHS - couldn't you think of the NHS, at least on its good days, as 'pronoiac'? After all if you are lying sick on ITU there are huge numbers of people striving and planning and plotting all these good things for you. People who have never met you and never will. People in labs and kitchens and offices all across the NHS. All for you. Doing all these good things behind your back just to make you better.

And since yesterday was International Nurses Day let's reflect on the fact that across the NHS thousands of nurses and midwives and mental health nurses and health visitors and school nurses ("The Angels") are actively plotting good for people, seeking out ways to care, to do things to ease pain.

Here is just one example which as it happens is about nurses working in prison.

So remember - just because you're paranoid it doesn't meant the 'angels' aren't out to get you!

Image courtesy of The Times