 (Nick Galifianakis for The Post) | Adapted from an online discussion. Dear Carolyn: My mom has always been incredibly reactionary, and it's starting to get to me. I can't call her and say, "Yeah, I've got a lot of work to do," without hearing, "Well, calm down and don't freak out. It's not a big deal." It's driving me nuts! I'm being treated for OCD and the anxiety that tends to come with it. Before my diagnosis and therapy/medication, I had a bad time with conflicts. I would just shut down. Now, I'm so much better! But my mom doesn't seem to see it. A neutral tone conveying a difficult week sends her flying into, "You're freaking out. Don't freak out and calm down." Even though I'm perfectly calm, just expressing what's going on. I guess the solution is to not tell her much, but she likes to pry and hates when I don't say much. I'm sure there's a solution I'm missing here. I feel like I could explode the next time she does this. Then she'll turn around and go, "See, I knew you were upset!" — No, I'm Really Calm. | 
