I don't think I am. My psychologist told me I had mild paranoia, because I tend to think that people are talking about me all the time. I've had a problem at most of the jobs I've held, where I think I hear people talking about me behind my back. Honestly, I can't say whether it's true or not, usually. I think it is true. I also *think* I hear my family saying things, and I imagine that people talk about me when I'm not there. Even back in school and college, this was a major source of anxiety for me.

I also read into things. I admit I do this a lot. I tend to think that there are hidden messages and insults in things people say. My husband told me today that he thought I was paranoid--he was saying how he liked one brand of mayonnaise better than another, and I said, "do you think the same way about your wife?" Once, I thought that a comment aimed at a cartoon character was an indirect insult towards me.

Am I just anxious and silly, or is it 'paranoia'?

Dear Blue,

I can totally relate to what you're saying and honestly, I think it is a mild case of paranoia which stems from Anxiety actually, because I used to notice the same things too. I would be at work, and I would get one little look from one person, and I would think to myself, "Ok, what are they thinking about me now?" Or if there was something funny between a group of people, I would think sometimes that they're actually laughing at me for some reason.

To some people, it may seem like that song, "You're so vain"....haha, but that's really not it at all....the other way around in fact...insecurity, which is another issue this mild paranoia may stem from. I still get it most days, but just try to brush it off my shoulder and pretend that it's all in my head, but I'm not so sure it helps completely, or maybe I just bottle it up inside....either way, not good I'm sure!

In conclusion, I have talked to my therapist and he thinks I probably do have a mild case of paranoia, and sometimes I think it's more than just mild, but it's yet to be taken care of, so I dunno exactly what to tell you, except try not to notice things so much as you usually do, concentrate on yourself, and not what others are doing....seems to work for me sometimes. I wish you the best of luck in finding a solution. ;)