Hey Shell! To answer your question, there are many things that people fear. Some people are only afraid of health issues, some people are only afraid of dogs, some people are only afraid of planes, some people are only afraid of going crazy. There are MANY variables when it comes to fear and anxiety / panic. You can become overly afraid of anything. Just because you have one that isn't as common as other people's, doesn't make your fears any less valid. But, it is anxiety / panic all the same. I've been going through this for 12 years and although the majority of my anxiety revolves around health issues, they have changed to many different things as well - including going crazy. But, I can guarantee you that if you were going crazy, you would have no idea! People who officially lost their minds and have gone "crazy" live in their own little world and are unaware that what they are living is not real. Panickers are far too aware of everything going on with them to be classified as crazy. As far as the OCD goes, there are a few different levels of OCD but to be classified as having OCD, you must have some sort of ritualistic behavior. That is the corner stone of OCD no matter what kind you have. Have you seen the Aviator? Very well done!! Leonardo DiCaprio did a brilliant job at playing someone with OCD! If you haven't seen it and you are curious if you have OCD, watch that movie and compare your behaviors with his. It is a classic case of OCD and is also an extreme example, but at no matter what level a person's OCD is at, the ritualistic patterns have to be there. I had a mild case of OCD as a child. The best way I can explain it is that you absolutely have to do things a certain way or something bad is going to happen. There is a nagging feeling in you gut and your head that makes you HAVE TO do things a certain way for things to literally be ok. This can be overcome with CBT. I got over it by forcing myself to not go along with the patterns that my mind was screaming that I had to do and proving to myself that the world wasn't going to end simply because I didn't do something a certain way. If you are feeling like you may have an OCD, then I strongly suggest you use CBT to get over it. I promise it works! I still have anxiety,

I am not sure I know the difference between OCD and panic disorder. A lot of the people on here worry about having a heart attack, brain tumor, stroke or a blood clot. I don't worry about that. If I have chest pains I think it is gas and if I have a headache I think it is because I am stressed or tired or need caffiene. I worry that I am going to just lose it. I worry that one day I am going to go crazy. I also worry that I am going to do something bad. I feel like when you research these symptoms it points to OCD. When I read about what you guys are going through it makes me worry because I don't have those same symptoms. So what's the difference? How come I am worried that I am going to go crazy and you guys are worried that you are going to die? I don't really fear death. I don't think that I won't wake up tomorrow. I don't want to die but I am not worried about it. Will I eventually worry about it? Did you worry about initially? I just feel so different like maybe I am really different than you guys like maybe it is not panic disorder. Sometimes I feel like maybe I really am going crazy. I find myself checkinng every thought to see if it is a crazy thought or "normal thought". Can I compare that to the way you guys check your symptoms, whether it be an achy chest or head? So what's the difference between panic and OCD? Some people worry that they are going die and others worry that they are going to do something bad or go crazy. I guess I am just trying to analyze what the difference is. They both cause anxiety. I was diagnosed with panic disorder but I think maybe I have OCD. I don't have any ritualistic behavior but I know, because I have researched, that you can just be "pure O". Can anyone help me out on this? If you worry about your health, has it always been that way? Did you ever worry that you would go crazy or anything along that line. I would really appreciate your help. Thanks