I can't speak for everyone, but I certainly don't feel offended. I agree with everything mynameisterry has written. Tough love is a thing, but so are compassion, empathy and tact. I can't really see how critising anyones anxiety, something that may largely be outside of their control, yet still is a very real part of them, is beneficial. Often times it's difficult to separate ones self from ones feelings. Perhaps that is why some may react as though they have taken offense. It's never fun to feel as though one's feelings are being invalidated.
We all have our invisible bats, as it were. No doubt letting someone know that their fears are unfounded is essential. But how must the people feel who were used as examples for this thread? They weren't named, but I'm sure they knew they were being referred to. I could see how that may make someone feel attacked or ridiculed. In no way do I think that was the intention of paranoid Viking in making this thread. I'm just offering a different perspective.
Paranoid Viking, I never said that you don't know anything about rabies related anxiety. I'm sorry that I gave you such an impression. I too had a past experience with rabies anxiety. That is where I am coming from. We're just two different sides of the same coin, that's all.
No attack on you or anyone else here was intended on my part.