How do you distinguish anxiety from paranoia? I am having a hard time and trying to see if I should talk to my doctor about antipsychotics.

TW
I am struggling with understanding if the "paranoia" I am experiencing is that or just really intense anxiety. I am going through a stressful period in my life but it's just feeling so intense I am really unsure of myself.

I am currently going through a really stressful time in school and the thoughts I am having are really doing a number on me. It's a constant fear of failing and I cannot stop myself from thinking how my life is going to go down hill if I don't pass my finals. I have never experienced that intense of fear when it comes to school, its consuming all my thoughts. I feel like I am going to let everyone down, that everyone is wanting me to fail, that I will lose any opportunities in life because of it.

For a while I have been able to control my fear of everyone in my life lying to me about being my friend, people talking behind my back and things like that. But, recently I feel it creeping back. To add to that, I have been so scared that my partner is cheating on me, doesn't actually love me, etc (even though they have never done anything at ALL)

There is that but another thing that has gotten worse over time and it's genuinely feeling like paranoia of something happening to me. It all mostly happens in the dark. I have a really hard time walking around my house in the dark because I constantly think there is going to be someone hiding in the shadows. When I am alone in my room at night, the slightest noise makes me think someone broke into my house. When I drive home alone, I have to fully check the backseat of my car to make sure no one is there. I can't normally go on a run/walk because I am constantly looking behind me scared that someone is following me or is going to kidnap me. Sometimes I freak myself out that if I fall asleep I am not going to wake up in the morning.

That's basically it, I really needed to get this off my chest because it has been really difficult to come to terms with. I am telling myself its not paranoia because its not as intense as others experinces. But, I know its a spectrum. Does anyone else feel these symptoms?

(Just to add I am on Lamictal and Wellbutrin)