Paranoia

I find the state of paranoia in personal relationships to be the most ridiculous thing on the planet. I invited a friend to come out with me and some other friends a few days ago. I call and leave a message so that this person will know where I am at. They don't show up and don't return my call. I assume that they had something more important to do and don't take it personally. Mind you that this is not the first time this person has just not shown up. Sometimes they will come into town and not even let me know they are in town. I do not take this personally.
So, I finally get a call back from this person and she tells me that she just got my message. This is 3 days later. After speaking with her for several minutes, I realize that she sounds funny so I ask if she is OK. I am informed that she is feeling depressed. I ask why and she is vague. I try to make upbeat conversation but it is painful to speak with this person because of the pathetic tone in her voice. After a while she finally confesses the real reason that she did not show up was because she didn't think I really wanted her there! I respond that I think her assumption is absurd. Why would I invite her if I don't want her to come? I get the malaise answer of "I don't know" in return but she says "I just did not sound like I wanted her to come". Mind that I completely disagree with her and I did want her to come. So, I tell her that she couldn't be more wrong and that of course I want her around and that the next time she feels that way to ignore that voice because it is wrong. I tell her I love her and we hang up.
I have been down this road with this person more times than I care to remember. I can say with all honesty that I do love this person. She once was very close to me and still is, to a degree. The reason for the divide was paranoia that drove someone to believe the worst about me and my intentions. I was called a liar and was told how horribly I had treated her. Unfortunately, what was perceived by her was only a simple misunderstanding with no ill intent. Really. Eventually, I was vindicated and things went back to civility. We will never be as close as we were then because of my awareness of her psyche. I know that it is in my best interest to maintain a certain distance. Many things were said that convinced me of this. This being said, I never try to avoid this person. I really do love her. She just is paranoid.