Scared of being scared

[DeterminedGirl]

Hi Everyone I'm a carer for my partner who suffers from anxiety long term. I've been supporting him since we married but just lately I have been getting very anxious and scared when Im alone in the house. Usually at night, or when it's dark I have a thought that someone is going to attack me, break into the house, quite violent thoughts that keep me up at night, leaving me tense, anxious and fearful of sleeping, and I'm tired the next morning. This only happens when I'm alone and the violent thoughts are increasing that something bad will happen tonight. Has anyone else felt the way I do?

[blondguy]

Hi Determined

Welcome to the BB Forums and thankyou for posting

Your thoughts are the same as the nightmares I used to get...really bad and violent. They were scary and were fluid as in seemed so real. My GP poked around my head and found some life stressors that were leaving my mind 'tired' thus the unwanted thoughts and nightmares. I have had anxiety for 25 years, now healed and approx 10 years ago the depression sank in.

I notice you are a carer for your partner who has anxiety. That can be a huge drain on you...making your mind 'tired'. A 'tired' mind seems to allow these dreadful intrusive thoughts. Just learned from experience Determined....It like our natural mental defenses have been lowered and these thoughts can be more prevalent in our mind.

You mentioned "just lately I have been getting very anxious and scared " The two first words...just lately...Has anything happened recently in your life that has been stressful in nature? Also...is your partners' anxiety stable or has he been suffering chronic anxiety recently? Also...how is your sleep recently?

You have articulated your situation well.

We are here for you Determined, I do hope you can get back to us 🙂

Kind Thoughts

Paul