Catastrophic worries

Mental health
1

Hello there everyone, 

I cycle through quite a few different anxious obsessions that become all-consuming, mainly health related - I've diagnosed myself with cancer, ALS, Ebola, you name it. Currently, though, the thing that is eating up my brain and making it hard for me to just function and live my life is this catastrophic fear that the world is on the brink of total apocalyptic destruction. I look at the news, foreign conflicts, climate change, etc etc, etc, and I conclude that the end is imminent. Even though on some level I understand that the is a pointless fear (because even if such a thing were so, what will my worrying do about it?) I find it hard to look towards any kind of future. I have job applications to fill out, places to be,  good relationships and friends to enjoy, but I throw all of that to the side when I start obsessing about a coming apocalypse. I stop seeing a point in life. I start planning my suicide. I'm not feeling quite that way now but the last time I felt really suicidal and began making a plan was when I became consumed with apocalyptic obsessions. So I'm trying to be pro-active. If anyone is out there with similar fears and experiences I'd like to know how you deal with it. 

2

Hi clarisse42

We note from a recent post which you have made to our forum that you may be experiencing thoughts around self-harm. If we have misinterpreted your comments then we apologies for contacting you directly. But if you are having such thoughts then please note that you are not alone in this, and there are people out there that can help.

If you are having these suicidal thoughts then we strongly recommend you speak to someone who may be able to help. The Samaritans offer a safe space where you can talk openly about what you are going through. They can help you explore your options, understand your problems better, or just be there to listen.

Their contact details are on our patient information leaflet here: https://patient.info/health/dealing-with-suicidal-thoughts, which also offers lots of other advice on how you can access the help you may need.

If you are having such thoughts then please do reach out to the team at the Samaritans (or the other people detailed in our leaflet) who will understand what you're going through and will be able to help.

Kindest regards

Patient

3

Clarissa,

This concern about the end times is nothing new. This has been going on for hundreds of years. There has always been foreign conflicts for as far back as history goes. People way back have always been predicting that end times are coming , and saying things like "get ready, it's upon us now!"  They would give dates to watch for,etc.  Nothing happened.  You are most likely young and so all this is  pretty new to you. If you know the history of the world, you know That, there is nothing new about the end times concept. Everything will happen in Gods time, not mans. 

Here is why some people get overly anxious about it in today's world:

Social media is everywhere!  People give opinions that may not be accurate that scare others.

The Tv news is way more dramatic than it used to be.  It's so intense to get ratings.

All this causes anxiety and fear.

The world has always had wars , catastrophes, VIscious people and issues to deal with and always will. But we have to keep living.   End times could take hundreds or thousands of years .  No one can predict it. 

There were people who killed them selves a hundred years ago because they were told end times are here. They could have lived out their lives. What a waste.

Anxiety produces negative thoughts and fear.

I suggest that you stay away from the news, listen to calming meditations on you tube for anxiety and overthinking. They totally calm me down mentally and physically and teach you how to separate negative thoughts from yourself.  

Life is worth living and you most likely will have a long great life. Do things that you enjoy and socialize.  Don't google symptoms. They most likely don't pertain to your particular situation and you will just scare yourself. 

Speak with a counselor if you cannot manage your anxiety, they can help you manage it and find peace of mind. 

 be good to yourself and don't forget to laugh and smile! It's a beautiful world regardless of the issues in it. 🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

4

Hello Clarisse. Have you tried talking to somebody about it? Therapist, someone who can listen to you and help you manage intrusive thoughts? I know its easier said than done but they 'only' thoughts. Remeber this. Try not to worry about things you cant change or things you dont have control over. People been talking about end of the world for centuries and look...we are still here. Our anxiety makes us believe in the worst and we tend to overthink everything. Please dont give up, you are not alone with anxiety and intrusive thoughts. There is always way out and suicide isnt one of them or self harm. Thats not the way to deal with this. There is variety of methods that can help you deal with anxiety and intrusive thoughts. It will get better. Just seek some help and support. Dont let your mind bully your body😚😚😚😚here for you if you need support ❤❤❤❤

5

Hi Clarisse If you are making plans to kill yourself you need to get professional help immediately as you sound as though you need more help and support than we can give.You know your thoughts aren't rational and you have no evidence to support them however when you are in despair etc that is all you can think about.Please go to your doctor and talk about how you feel and get the help you need.

6

Hi Clarisse, way back in the 80's I obsessed over the world ending in April 1984, I worried so much about it and hey ho were still here.

It does sound like a re occurring obsession you have so I'd be tempted to get some therapy or councelling to talk it through and at least calm the obsessions down to something you can manage, in the mean time do the things you need to do. Neil

 

7

Hi, I noticed with my anxiety I would get worried about all kinds of stuff I would hear about... I disconnected my social media (thats where so much negative stuff is posted) and I try not to watch the news if I feel like it will spike up my anxiety. You have to realize, we get scarred, just some more than others. Please dont let it ruin your day, enjoy it. If you live in fear, your life will be wasted . . Its a beautiful world out there, you just have to realize it shouldnt be seen in fear... Please message me if you would ever like to talk!  

8

Hi Marleen,

Thank you for your kind words - I do have a therapist that I go to. She's on vacation now which is maybe why some of these thoughts are getting more out of hand. But I'm not making any specific plans or anything like that and I will be able to see her again next week. I'm feeling calmer than I was when I posted last night. Once again, thanks!