Dealing with 24/7 FEAR

[kama24]

I won't go into a long history of my panic/anxiety GAD but the last 10 yrs have been horrible ...yes I'm on meds, see a therapist and physciatrist.....but the last 3 months have been out of control. Does anyone else constantly think of death and live your entire day in FEAR? I have tried everything suggested. I just feel so alone and hopeless, scared to live scared to die! Does anyone else feel like this?

[Nbordell]

Since my mom and my grandpa (who was like a father to me in my dad’s absence) passed away from terminal illnesses, I’ve feared death and feel it’s lurking around every corner. Both my mom and grandpa did not pass peacefully and it was traumatizing for me to see them struggle to the end. One thing that helps is I tell myself that I can’t change when my time is up but what I can change is how present I am right now. Worrying about what might happen isn’t going to make me more prepared for the worst or change the outcome if it happens. Look around yourself and think about what you’re grateful for in this very moment. Tell yourself in this moment, right now I’m alive, I’m healthy, and I have everything I need. Whatever happens in the future I will deal with it when the time comes. I’m living in this moment right now.

That helps to ground me. Of course the thoughts come back, but the more you do it the more you can keep yourself present. I don’t want to be old and look back on my life thinking how I wasted it worrying about things that never actually happened. Also, if therapy isn’t helping, find a better therapist. I was doing really good after my moms death with therapy, but after my grandpa died last year I never went to therapy and here I am a ball of stress and worry. The right therapist makes all the difference. Hope things get better for you!

[kama24 in reply to Nbordell]

Thank you for your words of wisdom When I am in full panic I start a list in my mind of all the things in life I am thankful for. I was with my father when he passed away and it was horrible and heart breaking. My anxiety causes me to feel short of breath thus I feel scared. My therapist actually is wonderful, it's ME who is the failure. I do appreciate you answering my post. Thank you.

[LilyAnnepuppy]

I can fear everything. My anxiety has to be worked with every day. I’m particularly afraid of the death of my husband. He has end stage kidney disease and goes to dialysis three times a week.

I’m also afraid of accidents. Afraid I’m going to fall and break a bone. That would leave me helpless. Since I would have no one to take care of me. My husband is limited in what he can do. And I’m more of the caregiver in the marriage.

I don’t know if I’m afraid to die. I’d be dead and wouldn’t care.

I’m sorry your treatment isn’t working well for you. And wish you could get some relief. Do you practice meditation? I find that helps a lot. I use my Insight Timer app every day.

[kama24 in reply to LilyAnnepuppy]

Thank you for replying. I think of death every day even though I try to talk myself straight. I fear being alone too. I am a senior and so many of our friends and acquaintances are passing. I can't seem to get the hang of meditation though I've tried. I have a back problem right now and I keep thinking of all the possible things it could be that end my life. I am so very sorry your husband is not well. I think for me it is the "act" of dieing that terrifies me....take care

[LilyAnnepuppy in reply to kama24]

Yes the process of aging is awful.

[kama24]

I know many pass very suddenly and fast but I've seen those in horrible pain or gasping for air which is my biggest FEAR

[Beon]

Hello,I feel,and know your fear,I have a cancer phobia and it's 24/7 every minute...what can I say?...I keep busy and get through the day,I just want to say you are a very very brave person,you are in your own way coping with a huge monstrous thought but still reaching out,so well done,you are brilliant and should hear that,fear isn't you being weak it's you getting up everyday and still doing normal stuff,that's a brave person,so again well done...your doing your best...godbless

[kama24 in reply to Beon]

Thank you for your kind words. I try so hard to shut off the over thinking, but to no avail. All I can do is keep battling. Take care

[Tapon020]

Hope you feel better soon and pray that you stop thinking about it all the time. But did you find anything that's helpful? Like a guided meditation?

[kama24 in reply to Tapon020]

Breathing exercises and guided meditation are the 2 worse for me. Many years ago I was on Paxil and it did help, then it stopped. When I withdrew from it I had terrible symptoms. I've never found anything to help me again. I just feel hopeless and scared

[Tapon020 in reply to kama24]

Oh , hope you find something that works soon. Take care

[kama24 in reply to Tapon020]

Thank you so much.

[stde]

Fear exists in an overactive mind🙏Try spending some time in nature till your thoughts slow 🙏

[kama24 in reply to stde]

So true, but right now it is so cold here I don't want to go out, it was a balmy -19c the other night. Come spring/summer we go to our cottage and it is so peaceful.....fear is still there every morning I wake.

[stde]

Do not label yourself....I suffered for 40 yrs from reoccurring fear, and now I'm free 👍....doesn't have to be that long 😂😂...Fear can never touch you when you find calm in nature...

Smile at fear it is only a thought x