My fears
Find a Conversation
| Wed, 09-20-2006 - 4:39pm |
Really control me. Im terrfied of the dark and Im almost 21! Ive had some experiences that I think might have led to this but my boyfriend thinks Im crazy. My mother said when I was little I used to scream I CAN SEE YOU!! when shed shut off the light. Now I check the front doors lock over and over and over to make sure its locked and chained and the sliding patio door is locked. My bf wants to watch Law and Order and shows like that about people being murdered and that stuff makes it impossible for me to sleep. Im TERRIFIED of going to bed alone in the apartment. If I'm alone I have to sit in a corner so I can see the entire rest of the room and I check behind chairs and in closets. My best friend was laying in bed once and her ex came in and attacked her with a crow bar, which after hearing about it scarred me for LIFE. My other friend found someone in her closet staring at her watch her brush her hair, she saw his face in the mirror. OMG...When I was little I went for a walk at 2am downtown to go home from a sleepover (no one knew I snuck out because there was a moth in the house and I was petrified and still am of bugs) and I dont remember all that happened that night.
I also have an extreme phobia of diseases. Skin diseases, blood. And everytime I see a sharp object these violent images of me or someone else go through my mind so I dont want to touch them, does anyone have any of these issues. I'm not homocidal or crazy and a lot of people have no idea that I have these fears..I keep them to myself. I wonder if something happened to me when I was little...
I have a extreme phobia of the dark, wat do I do?

Find a good doc. You can get help for your terrible anxieties! When I'm really having anxiety, I can't stand to see knives sitting out of the cabinet. It scares me. I don't know why. I always put them in the sink immediately and turn away from them. I have gotten some help from reading www.anxietycoach.com website and the newsletter. I haven't read his book though. Talk yourself through the anxiety. Remind yourself that your fears are unrealistic (because they are so extreme). The chances are much much much greater that absolutely nothing is going to happen to you in the dark! Remind yourself of this over and over! Deep breath. I too have to be careful of what movies and tv shows I watch. They affect me my more than a person without anxiety. Your boyfriend just doesn't understand what it feels like because he has never felt it. Maybe you should have him read up on anxiety disorders. Maybe he would be more supportive if he understood a little more. Hang in there!
Hugs!!!!
Laura
hi there:)
welcome to the community.
Welcome to our community. We are glad you found us. Please be assured you are NOT alone. Most people with anxiety disorders who post here have some fears/phobias. A few folks have posted with one specific fear such as needles(injections.) Then, there's me who is afraid of about everything. My constant worrying has me seeing problems where none exist. Or as my gramma used to say, *you're borrowing trouble, jan.*
More than likely all of our fears stem from our experiences. Alot of people report severe trauma in their lives. If fears/phobias have interrupted your life, then you can find help for them. Research has shown that a combination of meds & therapy can help. Seeing your dr. for a good check-up is the first step. It's always a good idea to be certain there's no physical illness causing the anxiety. From there, your dr. can give you reassurance & offer treatment options.
There are therapists who deal with your specific fears, but you'll have to search hard for one or be referred by your dr. Also, there are folks who have desensitized themselves by facing the phobia head on. Please read through our *coping tips & tricks* folder below to see ways you can learn to reduce stress & calm yourself when overcome by fear.
We do care about you & want to be a support. Post anytime. Join us in chat if you can. You CAN get your life back. Good luck & GBU! Keep in touch. (((hugs))) jan
*hugz* I just wanted to say you are definitely not alone in your phobias ..as my therapist says (or believes?) they do come from somewhere ... I found out why I always have to sleep with my bed to a wall and on a higher level floor than the ground floor... after talking to my Mom, apparently when I was little, maybe between 3 and 4 ... my Dad had come through my window and had taken me in the middle of the night (my Dad was (still is, just not as bad) an alcoholic and he and my Mom fight constantly, the fights were 20 times worse when I was a kid, so apparently that night they had a huge fight and my Dad left but came back to take me ... then told my Mom he "had one kid and was coming back for the other" (my brother who was still in a crib at the time) ... anyway .. longer story short .. my therapist figures that is why I have a phobia of sleeping with my back to a wall (security that no one can come from behind?) and being on the 2nd floor or higher (so no one can come through my window?) ...
Sorry it got a little long there, just wanted you to know that you aren't alone and I would talk to a therapist (if you aren't already) and see what he/she can do for you to uncover hidden secrets (that's what I call them!) *hugz* Good luck!
When our fears start to affect our daily living, I thinik it's important to get an evaluation/check-up from a doctor.
Sheri Ann
Wow Laura, I am the same exact way with knives!!
Sheri Ann
Brianne, that makes so much sense.
Sheri Ann