Anxiety and OCD Exposed

Panic Articles

Death, Taxes, and Obsessions

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010
It’s tax time. Our accountant called to ask for another piece of paper. The regular drawer in which I stow stuff to do with mortgages is stuffed with large folders from various mortgage and title companies that we have dealt with over the last decade. Couldn’t find the paper—took out everything and slowly sorted through each folder—thinking that maybe the paper got stuck in with another stack. Anxiety starts to build. I start looking in another drawer, another filing system. This one contains recently paid bills, car insurance, health records, and stuff like that. Thought maybe that paper would be in with the mortgage payments—no paper. Although I am quite aware that I could call the title company and get another copy, this quest is getting too important. By now, my heart rate has increased and my mind is quickly filling with obsessional thoughts: “What if I die and my kids have to sort through this mess?” and “What’s wrong with me that I can’t remember where I put that paper?” Then, “Am I getting early dementia?” Finally, “If I make it though this, I vow to get better organized!”

Dogs, Fireworks, Fear and the 4th of July

Friday, July 3rd, 2009
Happy 4th of July. Tonight, we'll sit outside and watch the fireworks from our backyard. Our dogs will likely be close by; not terribly frightened, but a bit upset by the explosions. We'll keep an ...

A Recent Interview of Us by David DiSalvo, Part 2

Tuesday, June 30th, 2009
Part II (see previous blog entry for Part I of this interview, conducted by David DiSalvo) Tell us what "anxiety" really is in a clinical sense, and how it's different than "a case ...

Handling Emotional Baggage

Sunday, June 14th, 2009
Today we spent the afternoon in Split, Croatia. Our moods were positive and we enjoyed lunch at a quaint local restaurant. The last few days presented a much greater challenge to our moods. In a ...

When Anxiety isn’t Anxiety

Saturday, May 9th, 2009
Though not typical, some people experience significant anxiety for the first time in their lives as adults. Other folks have had previous bouts with anxiety, but suddenly feel an intense new wave of anxious feelings ...

Swine Flu: A Special Warning to those with OCD

Tuesday, April 28th, 2009
The line between the worries of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and normal concerns can be quite fuzzy. Worries about a possible pandemic from Swine flu make the line even blurrier than usual. Advice ...
Purchase Borderline Personality Disorder for Dummies now! Purchase Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder for Dummies now!

Laura L. Smith, Ph.D. and Charles H. Elliott, Ph.D. are authors of many books, including Borderline Personality Disorder for Dummies. Pick up the book today!

Recent Comments
  • Charles H Elliott, Ph.D.: @EF: Thanks for reminding folks about that. We describe all of the types in our book...
  • EF: A lot of people with OCD don’t have contamination fears or handwashing/cleaning compulsions. That’s...
  • EF: Also, thoughts might be the cause of the fears. For example, its common in OCD to have frightening, intrusive...
  • jeanette baca: Im sorry to put it this way but this is how it is I have been married to a wonderful nightmare of a...
  • Charles H. Elliott, Ph.D.: @EF: Good point.
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