Do you ever fear being out in public

No. Not at all.

Not usually. More so lately, as I'm older.

Have you always been shy? paranoid? why paranoid? Were you bullied?
I used to be horribly shy, only child whose parents moved a lot. My lot improved when I had other kids to play with, and later, when I got a job and got interested in other people besides myself, talking with them. I realized later that Miss Shy had been pretty much all about me, but working with others kicked that.

Are there other symptoms? Have you thought about possible Autism, Aspergers and the like? I am in no way trying to diagnose anything. Just wonder if you have considered and dismissed these possibilities.

Only when they look like the sketch of Ted Kazinski. I saw a guy who had a black hoodie, a long duster, and shades (IN A SHOPPING CENTER. So I was watching him as my wife went into a store. I had my hand on 911 and some other defenses.
I think the guy was deranged as it was near 80 degrees F outside.

A cop came over and stopped him and they walked away together