Paranoid delusions can be a symptom of mania. While I am not diagnosed with bipolar disorder, this is one of the two "components" of bipolar my doctors say I have.

I agree with you, of all the symptoms I personally experience, paranoia is the worst. Even if I tell myself I'm being paranoid, I don't know if I truly am being paranoid. It caused some major issues at my job for a while. I almost wrecked my relationship because of it. Thank god for my antipsychotic. It helps me determine, if I do feel paranoid, at least whether it's worth it to care about it (i.e. look for more "signs," which I have a talent for finding) or not. It's much easier to detach from. Before I went on the AP, it was terrible.

To name several: I get the people-plotting-against-me and talking-about-me-behind-my-back paranoia and used to even sometimes get afraid that other people could hear my thoughts (yes, that I was thinking "too loudly"). I especially hated that. Sometimes I still think I'm being followed. Sometimes I think my boyfriend's hacked into my computer and is monitoring everything I do. . . . And if the government has, I hope at least I'm a source of entertainment for them, because otherwise I've got nothing else to offer them.

Paranoia sucks, though. I really did think I was going schizo for a while. So, I feel you.