Are we really on the brink of WW3

[eth93]

Maybe I'm an odd ball. But the current state of the world has me quietly pooping my pants. I won't lie this all started with Donald Trump being elected president. But ever since my whole outlook on life has just turned into one anxious mess.

No, I'm not putting the blame on Donald. I think possibly the media attention has just made me more aware of the going ons in the world. Russia/American relations, China/American relations, South China Sea, Russia/Nato, Syria, Ukraine, trade wars.

Its all just kind of overwhelmed me and to a point where it is controlling my life.

I realize no one can say with 100% certainty that war wont break out. But I know there are some extremely knowledgeable people on this forum, so just hearing your opinions might help.

[Bookgirl]

As i fight my anxiety about this situation i do get a bit of comfort in that the crazier Kim acts, the more galvanised the world will be against him. Even China does not want a war and would fight against a mad man on their border. But i am trying to appreciate the little things. I read about a lady who is dying from cancer and even though she couldn't walk was grateful that she had arms to hug her kids and that is how i am going to try and face this crisis. Just be grateful for the little things even though every day i may have anxiety or a panic attack and its so so hard to get up some days.

[eth93]

Hey Bookgirl! Thanks for your reply. Hope your doing well in these crazy times..

Haha. I know what you mean. The crazier North Korea gets, the more I think China won't back him up.

Thats my main concern with this whole situation. American attacks North Korea, then Russia and China retaliate against American. And that would literally be the end of the world, well thats what I fear.

[Bookgirl]

As much as i try and be positive yet again there is another possible missile launch. Someone has to stop this guy somehow. I am so tired of it 24x7 and being scared. It's so hard to be positive when there is never any good news. I just don't understand how the world came to this when last year it all seemed so far away. I am scared to turn on the tv and hear the latest. Thought the world was better than this but obviously not. I am just so tired of it all. I want the world to be a better place and its just crap every day. Peace and all our futures should not be held to ransom by one stupid guy.

[blondguy]

Hey Eth93

I just wanted to say thankyou for your great thread. We now have South Korea chest thumping by starting military exercises now. You concern is real and obviously a global issue now.

Conscription will never happen. China are more concerned about their global economic growth than war as they have kept saying for many years. China's future growth is based on dollars....not war.

If anything does happen Australia wont be involved....(just my opinion of course Eth93).

In Victoria we have had a huge increase in violent home invasions over the last few years and that scares me a lot more than North Korea does....thats my biggest fear as we speak but I do respect and understand your views Eth

Im not a fan of Trump but I am over the moon that the US has 37,500 troops in North Korea....not to mention the 40,000 troops the US has in Japan as we speak......not to mention the battleships/aircraft that are on stand by

Your thread is a good one Eth. Good on you too for having the foresight to write it. I have no say or control over a small rogue dictatorship...the same as you. I just choose to watch my front door here in Victoria

Hey Bookgirl...I agree with you as well as Eth. Its is difficult to find the positive in all of this.

The television/any newsfeeds may be a dumb idea at the moment for sure. I hear you loud and clear!

Peacefully yours

Paul

[Bookgirl]

Thx paul. As you know anxiety is a horrible thing and sometimes i have horrible days like yesterday when i just can't cope. But i went away and did some meditation and read some philosophy and that helped. It was a beautiful day today and i took the time to appreciate that. If something terrible happens it happens and i know worrying won't help but its almost like i don't feel safe if i don't worry. My anxiety is that ingrained. I know people here understand that and how anxiety can make yor life hell sometimes. Being mentally ill since being a kid makes it so hard sometimes but i continue to just try and work through it.

[blondguy]

Hey Bookgirl, you and I do share the long term anxiety background for sure. Being mentally fragile these conflicts can be overwhelming. Good on you for doing some meditation and reading too which would have a good grounding effect.

I hope your week is good to you 🙂

Paul

[Bookgirl]

Having a really bad day today. Just every day i wake up i wonder if this is the day the war starts. Want to protect my son. Didn't go to work today. I wonder how everyone else keeps going when i can't? Am i just stupid to be so scared all the time? I want this just to stop but it just keeps going. Sometimes i wish a war would just start and then the world would be over and i could stop stressing about it. So tired of the ups and downs. Everyone else seems to be able to detach except me. My son was asking him about North Korea and i hated talking to him about it. He is only 8 and his birthday is in a couple of weeks and i want him to turn 9.

[amalee78]

Hi Bookgirl,

i read somewhere that anxiety for your children is the Mummy curse...I have 3 kids and know what you mean. Just think, we don't have conscription anymore and he would be too young to go to war anyway. I really don't believe the war will come to Australia anyway. I'm beginning to think if there is a war it will be like the war in Iraq - not fought anywhere near Australia. I've read so many opinions of people who think the war won't happen that I'm trying to choose to believe it. Your son is safe and loved and will stay that way.

take it easy

[Bookgirl]

Just all seems so scary. I have good and bad days. My son heard a plane and asked me if that was a missile and i don't even let him watch the news or talk to him about it. He heard about stuff in the playground. Just really struggling at the moment with being strong for him when i don't feel strong. I feel like hiding in bed for the rest of my life. Feel so exhausted all the time. How do other people just not think about this stuff all the time like i do?

[amalee78]

Bookgirl, if you don't mind me asking, have you considered speaking to your doctor? I'm no doctor, but it sounds to me like you could use some therapy or meds....I'm in a waiting list to see a therapist myself. Those feelings of real exhaustion may be a symptom of your anxiety....

my big thing is health anxiety. I actually just got on this forum because I caught a glimpse of a news story about a mum with breast cancer and straight away got THAT feeling in the pit of my stomach. The thing is, like you, I've never sat down and told my kids about my fears of doctors.....but my 11 year old throws massive tantrums if she gets sick and we suggest going to the doctor 😞 kids pick up on our vibes and we owe it to them to see someone who can help us be the happiest, calmest Mums possible. It was my daughter' fear of doctors that finally made me go and speak to my gp.

do you have distraction techniques you can use? I find going or a walk every day and doing deep breathing exercises (breathe in for 4 and out for 8 and focus on sounds around you) very helpful.

i really hope things get better for you. I'll check back into here to see how you're going. Take care