it is such a relief to know there are others out there! I used to get the same kind of reaction (don't be weird, or try to be a little rational, or stop being ridiculous). i think FINALLY (and I'm 30 ) my parents really get that I am seriously terrified, but they still don't understand why I can't just stop worrying about it. i think they wish they had identified that it was a real problem and gotten me some help a lot earlier though.