extreme fears that nobody else may understand

[thebutterflyeffect]

I have suffered from moderate to severe anxiety on and off for over a decade now. During times when it becomes severe, I have noticed that I have extreme and often irrational fears. These are fears about day to day problems or issues that other people wouldn’t give a second thought about. I often fear financial ruin, failure in anything I do and the loss of my loved ones. I also always imagine the absolute worst outcome for everything. What I realized though, having dealt with this for over decade now, is that these fears have kept me from experiencing all the pleasant things in life I am exposed to everyday because I am too preoccupied worrying. You fail a having gratitude for everything you have. It’s like a blindfold that keeps you from seeing everything beautiful around you even if it’s right in front of you. has anybody else been through this?

[Agora1]

I have gone through the same thing as you butterflyeffect.

Anxiety has a convincing way in allowing us to fear the thoughts it sends.

Rationally, those thoughts are an illusion and not reality. xx

[mizzou7016 in reply to Agora1]

These are textbook descriptions of cognitive distortions. see my post below for a link

[littlefightingfish]

hi thebutterflyeffect , I go through the same. I’ve been told and dismissed by others as “just too anxious”. I’ve been called a worry-wart and that “I live in my head too much”. Not helpful in any way, but I guess people who dont have severe anxiety will just never understand.

Found these Anxiety Cards though and this one helps each time I catch myself with these types of anxious thoughts. I keep it up as a reminder. Hope this helps you a little too. 🙏🏻🌈

Anxiety card

[Hidden]

It is interesting for me to know that I have a lot of the same dreams that you do. I think many people are very worried about the world today and have a lot of anxieties about such things as money, politics, the climate, and pandemics. We are living in very challenging times. I would suggest that you study some cognitive behavioral therapy and apply it, if you have not already done so. It sounds like your problems are well suited for this type of therapy. I hope you will be able to get a handle on your anxiety.

[Worrier1960]

My experience is similar. I have irrational fears. They usually pass, but I can get really hund up on them. I deal with them through meditation, exercise and prescription medication.

[mizzou7016 in reply to Worrier1960]

are they irrational....or misinterpreted.....I have fears and anxieties in my life that other people would think that are very weird/irrational...Will I have to administer my 1st dose ever of narcan today....will I be exposed to something that will make me need my 1st. dose of narcan ever....will I get assaulted today....will i make it "out of prison" today.....those are very much rational fears to me....but the normal every day person doesnt understand.....I'd say very much so that you are overthinking....just keep working at it

[Worrier1960 in reply to mizzou7016]

I catastrophize. Every minor medical symptom portends something bad. Every minor issue at work seems major. Every minor home repair need suggests collapse. You're right - it's overthinking.

[mizzou7016 in reply to Worrier1960]

And unfortunately that's the way our brains work....so slow down and remember every storm will eventually run out of rain

[Oliver1970]

I could have written your post, almost verbatim. I list fear of financial failure as my biggest fear. I fear not being good enough... being irreparably broken. One thing I've learned is that there are many others going through the same thing.

I wish I could offer words of encouragement, but I'm currently in the basement of rock bottom sinking into the floor.

All I can say is, you're not alone.

[o0Joshua]

I actually have a similar issue… almost for a decade now I’ve been struggling with a strange form of social anxiety/gut,neck tension. It was criminal how it happened and I never got to the bottom of it (despite many attempts), now I go through these heightened emotions when I’m out in public. I won’t take a pill for it nor will I fully take blame for the difference. I spend everyday trying to balance my mind state with a variety of things… controlled breathing, mind stimulating games, singing, walking, and staying focused on work, natural stones, meditation, stretching and stomach/gut cleansing. I haven’t made a friend in over a decade nor have I had a relationship. I do have a dog though 🙂. You are right, life is beautiful and anxiety is unforgiving. Aside from keeping the house afloat, I try to mentally set goals for myself… go outside, talk to people, flirt, go to an event you enjoy, read a chapter. It has been the worst part of my life at 39 years old but I have no choice but to keep fighting. So far, so good. So, thebutterflyeffect keep noticing the beauty in life as it exists and control those fears by overtaking them.

[mizzou7016]

Can I recommend doing a little research about cognitive behavior therapy and cognitive distortions.....what you are describing is textbook cognitive distortions.

verywellmind.com/cognitive-...

[PeaceNeed]

I feel exactly like you and feel i cant change. Last 7 years have been hell for me A solid wall of anxiety and dark tunnel of depression.I have a bad history woth this illness. My family is fed up at me venting to them as are people who try to hive me advice..

All i seem to be able to do is vent i wish i could put a permanent end to it.

[Mustloveanimals]

yes I have the same issue and it is exactly like having a blindfold on. I want to appreciate everyday life but I feel I don’t know how with my anxiety

[benmaise]

I know exactly how you feel.

[Alpakka123]

Sure have. I've had it described to me as going around with rose-tinted glasses on. My psychiatrist has described it as me imagining the worst-case scenario. Don't get me wrong. He doesn't say that I'm imagining things. He just says that my brain comes up with the worst-case scenario.

I've recently had this revelation in myself that these "heavy" thoughts are the main culprit in zapping my energy.