NEW BRAMFORD, Connecticut (CNM) -- Dr. Mitchell Amberly, a psychologist in New Bramford, says one in five of his patients this month has mentioned the year 2000 problem, and several have come to him primarily because of it.
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| Psychologists say Y2K worries are keeping some patients awake |
Symptoms include insomnia, irritability and what Amberly calls "compulsive preparation" -- buying supplies well beyond what is reasonable. "One patient has 900 D-cell batteries," he said. "He does not own anything that uses D-cell batteries."
Experts recommend moderation: keep a few days' worth of food and water, as for any winter storm, and limit time spent reading doomsday predictions on the Internet. "The Internet is not a calming place," Amberly said. "It is especially not calming at 3 a.m."
The American Society of Anxiety Practitioners has set up a hot line. A recorded message advises callers to "take a deep breath, and remember that your toaster does not know what year it is."
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