Paranoia – The irrational and persistent feeling that people are "out to get you"

To remember the definition of the word paranoia, use the following mnemonic:

The parakeet was more than an annoyance (paranoia) now, it was out to get me!

Examples of paranoia in a sentence

Paranoia kicked in the second I got on stage – I was convinced everyone was laughing at me.

The old man was so paranoid he wouldn't leave his house.

My paranoia started off mild, but I now feel like everybody I know is after me.