6A
FEATURES
Coping with anxieties and OCD
Dear Annie: I’m a sophomore and I felt as if I absolutely had to
in high school. Lately, I’ve been put the security tag back on and
having some anxiety. I can’t quite then remove it again — four times.
pinpoint it, but it’s this sense of The woman kind of gave me a con-
impending doom, as if something fused chuckle, and I tried to pretend
very bad is about to happen. For it hadn’t happened. It wasn’t a big
example, I’ll be lying in bed and deal, but I worry I’ll do more stuff
like that in the future.
suddenly I’ll be overcome
DEAR
I know, of course,
with dread, thinking the
that my random gestures
ceiling is about to collapse
ANNIE
aren’t going to stop some-
on me or just some vague
thing bad from happening.
bad thing is going to hap-
But knowing that doesn’t
pen. Then I get this feel-
make it any easier to sup-
ing that if I just complete
press the urge. What’s
some gesture — mak-
going on? Is this normal
ing the bed and then get-
stress? Am I crazy? —
ting back in or turning the
Lane
Feeling Neurotic
light on and then back off Annie
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
Dear Neurotic: You’re
— I’ll prevent the disas-
not crazy, but it sounds as
ter from happening. It’s
bizarre, but I feel the need to com- if you have obsessive-compul-
plete these actions every time the sive disorder. The kind of “magi-
cal thinking” you describe — think
anxiety flares up.
So far, I have managed to keep of it as making up your own per-
these spastic episodes to myself; sonal superstitions — attempts to
not even my close friends know. provide some semblance of control
But lately, they’re becoming more over the external world. Many peo-
ple who experience magical think-
frequent and intense.
For instance, I work at a cloth- ing were raised in chaotic, unstable
ing store on the weekends, and the households and developed obses-
other day, I was ringing a woman sive-compulsive disorder as a cop-
up, removing the security tag off ing mechanism. Visit the Interna-
the blouse she was buying, when tional OCD Foundation at https://
all of a sudden, that overwhelm- iocdf.org for more information, and
ing feeling of panic crept up on me, talk to your parents, a school coun-
selor and/or your physician about
therapeutic treatments.
Dear Annie: This is in response
to “Confused Mom,” whose young
daughter keeps being disappointed
by her unreliable, mostly absent
father.
When I kept having to tell my
children that Dad was not coming,
the kids were getting angry with
me, as though it were my fault.
I finally realized that their dad
needed to be the one to tell them
he would not be coming; this way,
he would hear the disappointment
in their voices. The children were
so happy to see “Good Time Char-
lie” on the weekends, while I was
the one who raised them on a daily
basis, with all the rules. Both of my
children turned out pretty darn well,
and they still loved their father —
but they understood that he was not
a great father. He was only the man
who had walked out of their lives
when they were 5 and 7.
“Confused Mom,” when your
children get much older, they will
realize who the good parent was,
but I know it hurts to watch a child
growing up with expectations and
having her heart broken every time
her father does not show up. My
heart goes out to you.
— Been There, Done That
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2017
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). To develop
a crush on someone who is unreachable,
unknown or very distant is more or less com-
mon. To develop a crush on someone you’re
already in a committed relationship with is
love at its finest.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Colors reflect.
Sound echoes. You shine back at your love
with distortions lovely and confusing, glints
of sparkle and fading sunshade. It’s not an
accurate representation but a personal one
— the only kind a person can give.
own pocket. The feeling of wealth costs
nothing to you. Sweet felicity! SCORPIO
(Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You will alternate between
producing beautiful work and admiring the
beautiful work of others. These tones are
both so enjoyable and becoming on you. This
is a good day.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Being
too comfortable is disempowering. Agitation
can be a favorable condition. Go deeper into
your agitation. Let it move you to make a
difference.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Why things end
up where they do is a question you con-
stantly have going in your mind today, partly
because you don’t want what you’re working
on to end up in the same way. You’ll find out
then plot your course differently.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). First place,
second place — it’s nice to get a medal, but
really what matters more is doing the best
you can with what you have. It’s better to feel
progress and not place than to win first place
without feeling progress.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). The great priz-
es of the day are connected with your home
and all that means to you. There’s a spirit you
cultivate there, and it’s very much alive and
generating energy.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). It’s fine luck
that you are not tempted by the same things
that others in your group find irresistible. You
will help the others focus and stick to what’s
positive and productive.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). People will receive
your creative output in a variety of ways,
some that may please you, some that may
offend. You really have no control over it. As
a creative person, your job is to create and
let go.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). As you bring
order and tidiness to your home, you con-
front yourself, remember details of life, decide
who you want to be, see who you are, and
(bonus!) get a clean place to operate from.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). The part of
your mind that’s wrapped up in an endless,
nagging to-do list is really bogging you down.
Bottom line, if it can’t be scheduled, it won’t
be done. Either put it on the calendar or
cross it off and forget it.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You’ll find a new
affinity for a relationship, interest or object
you possess. It’s like finding treasure in your
FRANK AND ERNEST
BLONDIE
THATABABY
SALLY FORTH
PHOEBE AND HER UNICORN
B.C.
LOLA
DILBERT
SIX CHIX
BIZARRO
MUTTS
NON SEQUITUR
BABY BLUES
WIZARD OF ID
ZITS
ROSE IS ROSE
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Jan. 20). Inside
you there are many places you haven’t
gone yet. The potential is shimmering,
though you’ll have a lot of self-control in this
regard so the year will gently unfold for you.
Relationships are your ticket to new lands
inside and out. Financial rewards are best in
February, April and July. Libra and Sagittarius
adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 29, 33,
10, 4 and 32.