Shannon's New Allergy

Since Shannon has so many dietary restrictions and eats so healthy anyway, she very rarely eats anything processed. But while she was at the beach with her boyfriend's family, she didn't have the same flexibility as she has at home. I don't know what she was eating, but it apparently contained red food dye (which Shannon hasn't had in a long time). This caused her palms to blister and develop a rash. Luckily, Roddy's uncle is a doctor and knew what this meant. I would have thought that Shannon was turning into a werewolf (in my defense, a rash on your palms is one of the symptoms!)

Shannon Is Crazy (But You'd Be Too If You Grew Up With Brenda)

I haven't mentioned this before as it seemed too personal, but Shannon included it in her most recent Health Update Bulletin so I might as well go there.

Shannon is crazy.

Granted, I think basically everyone is crazy. In fact, I think Shannon is about the sanest person I know. However, she does have a lot of issues with anxiety, so I guess we're supposed to think she's weird.

For example, Shannon is really weird about hair. When she sees someone with a stray hair on her shirt, her thought process is as follows:

• Hair is dirty.
• You are dirty for having hair on your shirt.
• I am talking to you, and therefore I am dirty.

If I remember correctly,  Shannon actually got diagnosed with OCD and saw a counselor to help her with it. Her counselor used to make her touch hair and then talk about how it made her feel. 

Shannon has been having panic/anxiety attacks since we were about fourteen. Her charming mother Brenda is always very helpful and understanding throughout Shannon's emotional turmoils, sitting in the room with Shannon to glare at her and occasionally remind her that crying is pathetic and weak. 

Brenda gives Shannon a lot of grief at home, and her dad is often away on business or sick. This gives Shannon a lot of anxiety, so small things can set her off. Like if she really really wanted a sandwich and there's no gluten-free bread left, she might break down crying and then hyperventilate.

Recently she was having a panic attack when she was with her dear sweet boyfriend Roddy. She moved away from him to get some space as she was feeling claustrophobic, and dear sweet Roddy moved in to hug her. She ducked away to go find some different space. Roddy immediately moved in to try to hug her some more. This odd shuffle continued until she eventually yelled at him and was finally left to lurk in a corner peacefully.

For the past week and a half, she's been at the beach with Roddy and his family. She was frolicking in the ocean (which, miraculously, she isn't allergic to) when Roddy's sister sidled up to Shannon and told her "you're being so mean to me that I seriously just want to go home."

And Shannon just freaked out.

She had a MEGA panic attack and wouldn't get in the car to go to the doctor because she was feeling so claustrophobic. To cope with this, Shannon started banging her head on the car and attempting to remove her skin with her fingernails. She's going to a doctor when she gets back from the beach.