Incessant fear of world events and impact on my children

[ExtremelyAnxious2015]

Hi there,

I am new to this forum so I apologise if this has already been covered by someone else. 

I have a beautiful 6 year old daughter and am currently 5 months pregnant with my second. Over the years I have battled anxiety but right now I feel like it is the worst it has ever been. It started with an innocent enough post on facebook about Nostradamus and his prophecies on WW3. I have never read about N before nor would I typically believe in 'seers'  as such. But this lead me to think about current events, ISIL, Russian and US tensions, Israel & Palestine, global warming etc. To me, in my current irrational mind, WW3 isn't such a silly prospect at the moment. 

 I am constantly worried about something bad happening to my daughter and my expectant child. I think of the most horrible scenarios. It causes me to break down at least 2-3 times a day. I know I cannot control world events and I know that I should only focus on those things that I can control. But with all the uncertainty in the world I don't feel as though my fears are unfounded. I am really scared for my children and not being able to protect them. 

I know pregnancy hormones and all that fun stuff, can cause anxiety and irrational thoughts but I don't ever remember it being this bad. It's effecting my work, my relationship, my life. 

I could really use some perspective and some help. I appreciate any advice. 

 Thank you so much.  

[Doolhof]

Hi There and Welcome to Beyond Blue,

I've just answered a post from a person who says that their anxiety causes them heart attack like symptoms. If you were to read some of the posts under anxiety, you would see that many people suffer anxiety and it portrays itself in many different ways.

Are you having any treatment for your anxiety? Can your Dr. recommend that you go and talk about your fears and concerns with a counsellor or a psychologist?

You could try phoning some of the help lines available, like Beyond Blue or Life Line for help and assistance, and when you are feeling totally overwhelmed by how you are feeling.

I totally understand your fears and concerns. There are so many bad news stories happening all of the time. We don't always hear of the good things that are happening in the world!

Each day try and think of three things that you can be thankful or grateful for. There is a post regarding this here at Beyond Blue. Have a look at that for ideas from other people.

If it helps, write out your fears to get them out of your head, then try to write the three things to be thankful for in bigger letters.

Look up ways to overcome anxiety on the internet and try to work on some of the suggestions you think could help you.

I know when I was pregnant my thoughts and dreams went crazy so that could be part of it. Plus you want the world and life to be the best it can be for your children.

For the sake of your children, you need to try to overcome your fears and concerns and your anxiety so you can be the best Mum ever for your children. They will need your love and care, not your fears.

You can change your thoughts! Take small steps and you will get there.

Cheers for now from Mrs. Dools

[Zeal]

Hi, and welcome to the forum!

I've had OCD since I was 13, and I've read a fair bit about the condition. OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder; an anxiety disorder) can be experienced in numerous ways. People with OCD have obsessions, and perform compulsions in order to "control" these obsessions. Some people with OCD have many obsessions and compulsions, and others have a few. If you don’t mind me asking, have you ever been diagnosed with a mental health condition in the past?

OCD sufferers can be obsessed with cleanliness and very concerned about germs (this is my problem; though it's mild for me now); many people are obsessed with order, neatness, and precision; some people are superstitious and have ritualistic routines they perform; others feel the urge to constantly check things such as the stove, light switches (they may keep pressing the switch again and again), and may reread and redo various things; and some people are plagued by troubling thoughts which they believe make them a bad person - for example, a person might be really overtired and stressed from their baby's constant crying, and have a thought about killing their baby. The mother will then feel like a horrible person, even though she would never act on the thought. Everyone has bad thoughts sometimes, and thinking something does not mean you will do it.

The last main form of obsession is constantly worrying about the safety of others. This could be what you are going through at the moment. This information is just off the top of my head, as all my psychology info and articles are at home. People who experience this form of OCD constantly worry that their loved ones will get hurt or be involved in a disaster, and this can sometimes lead to fear that they will harm those they love.

You may not have OCD, but it's worth talking to your doctor about what you posted here, so that you can get their professional advice. If it’s needed, you will be referred to a counsellor or psychologist. OCD can be frustrating, but it is treatable. For example, CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) is a safe and successful method of treatment.

Good luck with finding relief from your worries.

Best wishes,

SM  

[ExtremelyAnxious2015]

Hi Mrs Dools,

Thank you for taking the time out to reply to me. I have been looking through the other posts and I will definitely check out the one that you are referring to. It's sometimes just comforting to know that I am not the only one going through this, I have seen some other posts very similar to mine although of course i'd prefer if no one had to struggle with anxiety or depression!

I used to see a psychologist for my anxiety and she was brilliant but then I moved away and haven't been able to see her. Admittedly, I have been doing really well, which is why this round has really knocked me for a six. I remember being a little anxious after my daughter was born but nothing to this degree. My psychologist taught me mindfulness techniques and the ACT principles but I find when I am this anxious it is very difficult for me to put it into practice. I have been making a concerted effort though each day though, even if it is only for a short period of time.

I am trying my best to hold it together and never share my fears with my little girl. I will try journalling - thank you for that tip. I do find that writing things down can be very cathartic.

Once again I appreciate you taking the time out to offer me advice.

Sarah

[ExtremelyAnxious2015]

Hi SM,

Thanks for your reply and for sharing part of your story.

I haven't been officially diagnosed with anything specific, I have received treatment for anxiety though. After reading what you have described about OCD, I think it could be worth looking into as worrying and constantly over-analysing have been part of my life for a long time now and at the moment it is at its most rampant. The scenarios and the worrying are really plaguing me, to the point where I cannot concentrate on anything else.

If things do not improve over the next week, I will most definitely see my GP for a referral to a new psychologist even though i'd much prefer to see my old one!

I really appreciate your advice, good luck to you also.

Sarah

[Doolhof]

Hi Sarah,

Thanks for getting back to us! It is great that you have been reading some of the other posts, it certainly makes you so aware of how other people are travelling with their mental health issues!

I totally understand not being able to put strategies like Mindfulness and ACT in place once you are well and truly consumed by anxiety or depression.

I find that I try to be aware of how I am feeling daily and try to nip the depression in the bud as early as I can. Not always easy I know, but if I can try to control my thoughts and feelings early then it certainly helps.

Just being able to share your thoughts with others helps. I have received so much help, assistance and comfort from people here on this BB site.

Maybe when you find some strategies that work for you, you may like to share them with others. Sometimes when we are in the thick of things, we don't always know what will help. Other people have suggested wonderful solutions on this site. Some of them are ideas I had not considered.

I hope you are able to make contact with your Dr. and are able to see someone for some counselling to help you through this tough spot.

Cheers for now from Mrs. Dools

[Nadselise]

Hi,

I have a 6 yr old too. He's just started school. He had just turned 1 when my anxiety peaked. I'm struggling with safety concerns for him at school. Mornings are worse, but sometimes even with all the techniques I have nothing seems to work some days. I'm trying to find time to do some things I enjoy for me. My son knows I have this thing called anxiety and that I'm working on it. I tell him mum's brain is getting lots of thoughts today. He understands, especially when he can't sleep. 

Try reading the news online instead of watching. That helps with stress levels.

[ExtremelyAnxious2015]

Thanks Mrs Dools. My anxiety has eased a little but it is still there under the surface. I have tried putting mindfulness into place, just allowing the thoughts to come into my head and then pass without trying to rationalise them.

I will definitely share my tools with others once things return to some sort of normality.

Thank you again 🙂

[ExtremelyAnxious2015]

Hi there,

Thank you for sharing. I too get anxious when I drop my daughter off at school, I thought I was the only one. As much as I try so hard to push the thoughts out of my head they still linger. I went for weeks without watching the news and it helped me so much, I also deactivated facebook at the same time.

But as soon as I reactivated and started seeing what was going on my anxiety peaked again, worse than ever before. I don't know what's worse though, having my head in the sand or having some understanding of what is going on around me. I think for now, I will avoid the news of all sorts. At least until it calms down.

If you ever need to chat, please feel free to contact me. I hope that you're having a good weekend with your son.

Sarah

[Nadselise]

Hi,

I did have a good weekend, thanks. I always find once I have done the first challenge for the day, I can usually do more. I have constant thoughts usually the 3 are am I doing enough, am I good enough, and I am a failure. 

My brain sends me messages all day. When I'm doing well I can usually quiet these down. I am doing better with drop off this week. 

Taking time out for myself is challenging, but having some relaxation time in your day helps. Certainly ok to switch off the news. I cut out a lot of those reality shows, I can feel the tension for the contestants, which isn't relaxing.

Hope you are feeling better soon.