Weather anxiety

[ginabean]

Hi everyone, I have suffered from severe anxiety that limits my life in a number of ways my entire life. Over the last few years, I’ve developed weather-related anxiety and it was gotten significantly worse since the pandemic. Now we’re set to have a hurricane here and I am having an extremely hard time dealing with it. Does anyone have any advice specifically relating to weather-related anxiety? It makes me physically ill and all I do is obsess about the forecast. It’s embarrassing but thank you in advance.

[b1b1b1]

I worry a lot about severe weather. Are you in the northeast? I am a little north of NYC and a hurricane or tropical storm is supposed to arrive tomorrow. Ir's not certain exactly where it will make landfall, but I am quite worried, especially about a long power failure or tree falling down. Severe storms are legitimately scary, I think.

[ginabean in reply to b1b1b1]

Yes, unfortunately I'm here in New England. I've been sick about it for the last few days but I prepared as much as possible. I don't live on the shoreline so that's good. And I checked with important businesses like pharmacies and gas stations within a 5 minute walk from me and they're all planning on being open tomorrow. I tend to overprepare and overbuy but right now, that's what makes me feel better. I start with a new counseling Monday morning. I'm going to try writing some affirmations too like, "I am safe in my house" and "If I need help, people will come"

[b1b1b1 in reply to ginabean]

Good ideas. I am going to the supermarket in the morning to stock up on things that don't need refrigeration or cooking in case of power failure. I do have a good friend with a generator, so could probably borrow her fridge. At least it's summer, so we don't have to worry about heat. Winter storms terrify me because of the heat problem.

[ginabean in reply to b1b1b1]

In the winter, during really severe storms, I go stay at a hotel away from where it's really bad and it's helped but I'd also like to stop running/avoiding

[b1b1b1 in reply to ginabean]

We have had some long winter power failures where we had to leave and go to a hotel--one lasted for 8 days. I think going to a hotel is fine if it makes you feel better.

[SOPHIA24 in reply to b1b1b1]

Yes I am in the North east

[SOPHIA24]

I have the same problem I find that not watching the news or weather will help it’s going to be what it’s going to be we just have to face that I do the daily calm from the app on my phone I don’t look out the window at the weather what it’s doing the weather affects everyone not just people with anxiety some people their sinuses bother them some people get headaches so it’s not just us try to stay calmDo some deep breathing exercises I know it’s easier said than done I have it so bad that I can’t stand still right now also affecting my sleep I was just put on Lexapro 5 mg actually on it for 10 days and I do see an improvement in my appetite so I know it’s working I’ll pray for you try to stay calm