Do OCD / Anxiety Issues Increase from Unresolved Conflict?

Yes!!!! Emotionally in your mind each situation links on to the other. With me, if one bad thing happens then if something else bad happens it adds to the pile and I get more emotional. Can't handle it all together. You have a lot on your plate that is out of your control. I get anxiety when I have a lot coming at me that I can't control. Please go see someone. You need to step back and regroup or you will spiral to a bad place that's hard to get out of. Your OCD pops up because you are trying to find things you can control, so you latch on the things that you feel you can get a handle on. It's your brains way of trying to focus on something and get away from all the drama around you. For me, when there is a lot of craziness going on I hyper focus on things I can control.

You can't control your family drama but you can control how you react to it. Definitely speak with someone so you can get a perspective. Hang in there! I hope this made sense. It's late and I'm really tired while writing this

: )

Yes, there's a connection between stress and anxiety. Usually anxiety is heightened because of stress. I have dealt with anxiety on and off since high school. I even became agoraphobic at one point in my adult life due to stress. It would not hurt to get back on medication even for a short period of time. I have been taking a low dose of Celexa for a while now and it calms my nerves so much.

When I find myself having more OCD type behaviors I don't have to look very far to find that I am feeling out of control in some of my life. Whey things are out of my control I find that I try to over control other areas of my life.

There was a time when hubby and I were fighting at home over every little thing and nothing was getting done. The singing group I perform with was seeing a side of me they had never seen before. I was getting really bossy to everyone is the group about their music and what our outfits looked like, just any little detail I could find fault with and try to control, I was over controlling it.

So when things are out of your control in one area, your mind tries to find a way of making sure the other areas are strictly in line.

Definitely. Find at least 10 coping skills that calm you down and post a list on fridge (tea, walk etc) and go to it as often as you need. Take care.

Absolutely, they are connected! Stress, especially chronic stress, makes EVERYTHING harder. Given your history of having an anxiety disorder, I'd recommend that you find a psychiatrist who can evaluate you for possible medication as well as provide therapy that will help you learn new coping skills.

The first order of business is getting some sleep. Sleep deprivation adds to your stress (remember, it's used as torture sometimes!). When you're rested, you can more easily keep things in perspective and stay more rational in the 'crazy' situations.

Learning new skills to cope with your parents, with your sister, with your dying friend will help you. And each situation probably requires different skills and methods. It's all awful, but you cannot lose yourself while you try to be everyone's rock. Take the time and effort to take care of yourself, and focus your energies on what really matters to you. The rest will fall into place. Wishing you all the best!