Catastrophic thinking - I always go to worst case scenario

[New_Experiment]

Hi,

I am increasingly becoming aware that any random fact about a disease or any heart condition that I read anywhere takes me to vivid imaginations of my family members suffering it and dying from it and where I am not there to help or see them considering I live in another country (can't travel due to covid) and it brings me to tears and makes me want to call up and check on them despite the time difference (they are usually sleeping). I haven't actually called them up to check on them during such thoughts, but I am usually super eager to talk to them in the next most convenient time.

I am just looking for a way to manage this cascading thought process because it feels very scary. If anyone else has this, how do you manage it?

[Kay-la-la]

Hey,
I completely understand. My family is only an hour and a half away, but I can't see them because of restrictions. What I've found can help is organizing regular times of contact. There are lots of APPs out there where you can share calendars and figure out when is best to call or video call.
I've made my family promise to touch base every week with a minimum of an SMS. Cause even though the fear can feel very real, its nice to just see they're doing ok and trying to stay safe. Just like i'm sure youre doing your best to stay safe as well.

Just hang in there ❤️