I still don't know how to tell the difference between what is paranoia and what is anxiety. Is paranoia a form of anxiety? I know I definitely have moments, for instance when I'm sure someone is going to stab or shoot me on the way to my car after work, every single day without fail. Is that a delusion? In reality I'm safe, but that fear overwhelms me and it changes my behavior to a very shifty eyed, hurried, jumpy individual. Any ideas on what that might be? Anxiety? Paranoia? I've only ever had prolonged paranoia during one psychotic episode involving me thinking a shadow twin (I was hallucinating also) of my black cat was going to try to kill me or make me kill myself, but other than that my only paranoia has been drug induced and wears off when the drug does. I don't do drugs anymore though.