I've been told that there is a reason for everything, and that includes these many storms. Each time I tell myself that I'll be better able to handle the next one. I said that last Sunday. The next one arrives Tuesday. ONce again, the terror is unbearable. When does better happen??? I'm really trying...Originally posted by Shifrah:
The program also teaches that the best way to get over our anxiety is to go through what makes us anxious over and over again until we learn to be comfortable. So believe it or not all these storm systems are what you need - taking the steps that the program teaches will help you get through it. Take it easy.
weather anxiety, weather phobia
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Guest
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So the main fear is a feeling of being trapped, right? Where? Inside your house? Well, whats keeping you inside? Run on out of there into the snow.. get a little chilly, make a snow angel, catch some flakes on your tongue, and LAUGH! Then head back in. Show your mind that you aren't REALLY trapped, you just feel that way. You can run out of that house whenever you feel like it.
I remember when others would tell me to "keep facing your fears" and I would think to myself, "to h3** with that!" As crazy as it sounds right now, it really is the only way to beat it. The only way past the fear is through it. Somedays its easier than others.
I remember when others would tell me to "keep facing your fears" and I would think to myself, "to h3** with that!" As crazy as it sounds right now, it really is the only way to beat it. The only way past the fear is through it. Somedays its easier than others.
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Guest
That's great Hot Rod. What a great idea, getting out there. Even if it's just for 30 seconds at a time.
Session 2 teaches how to get through those panic attacks.
Also, if you don't feel the fear, you won't get through it. It's facing that fear head-on and then getting yourself through it that worked for me. That's the key. It sounds kind of ridiculous, but it's the only thing that works, because avoiding the situation would only made things worse for me.
Other ways to calm those fears:
Positive replacement thoughts: I can't wait for the storm, I am SO excited about the storm coming, how great storms are, and how great water is for the earth, the most beautiful flowers are going to pop up in the springtime because of all the rain and snow!
Humor: jelly beans are going to come down from the sky and bury my house, I'll have to eat my way out, oh I hope my favorite flavor, watermelon, is near the door. It's really going to rain cats and dogs, and they'll be yelping and meowing as they hit the ground. A river of chocolate is going to come and take me away - I'll be on a chocolate high forever, maybe I'll get stuck in a tube like Augustus in Willy Wonka's factory, they'll have to shoot me outta the pipe and I'll end up with the Oompa Loompas and get orange hair like them.
Session 2 teaches how to get through those panic attacks.
Also, if you don't feel the fear, you won't get through it. It's facing that fear head-on and then getting yourself through it that worked for me. That's the key. It sounds kind of ridiculous, but it's the only thing that works, because avoiding the situation would only made things worse for me.
Other ways to calm those fears:
Positive replacement thoughts: I can't wait for the storm, I am SO excited about the storm coming, how great storms are, and how great water is for the earth, the most beautiful flowers are going to pop up in the springtime because of all the rain and snow!
Humor: jelly beans are going to come down from the sky and bury my house, I'll have to eat my way out, oh I hope my favorite flavor, watermelon, is near the door. It's really going to rain cats and dogs, and they'll be yelping and meowing as they hit the ground. A river of chocolate is going to come and take me away - I'll be on a chocolate high forever, maybe I'll get stuck in a tube like Augustus in Willy Wonka's factory, they'll have to shoot me outta the pipe and I'll end up with the Oompa Loompas and get orange hair like them.
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Guest
Hi Everyone 
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As I was reading throughout the postings here, I began thinking about our tin roof that Cornflower was talking about!!!
My hubby and I just love our tin roof, that is why we have never changed our roofing!!!
The sound of the rain helps put us to sleep...It relaxes us soooo much!!!
When we have MAJOR "wind storms" or tornadoes then, I sing that song...When I see the blood, I will pass, I will pass over you!!!
I have told other Christians to try this one, and they have and it worked for them, also!!!
The wind always dies down very fast when I sing this song!!! Never hurts to try this one!!!
I think a lot of these fears have to doing with just feeling "trapped"...When one is suffering from anxiety, then they need to feel in control, and we cannot control the weather!!! Only God can do that one!!!
And one needs to feel like they can come and go as they please!!!
I am soooo blessed because I do not fear the snow at all!!! I do get kinda bored, if it tends to hang around too long, and it is icy and I can't go anywhere for days on end!!! LOL
I thank God that doesn't happen very often
I think a lot like Cornflower!!! My faith in Jesus gets me through soooo many things in this life!!!
I am not a big winter fan either, because I don't care for cold weather!!! Brrrrrr!!!
I do not worry about being trapped, though, and we live down in the boondocks...
I do have a 4 wheel drive jeep and that does help tremendously!!!
I think it all boils down to "being trapped in one's way of thinking"...I am almost sure of it!!!
I did enjoy reading this conversation!!! Thanks everyone !!!
Have a wonderful night's rest all safe, warm and cuddled beneath the wings of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!!!
,As I was reading throughout the postings here, I began thinking about our tin roof that Cornflower was talking about!!!
My hubby and I just love our tin roof, that is why we have never changed our roofing!!!
The sound of the rain helps put us to sleep...It relaxes us soooo much!!!
When we have MAJOR "wind storms" or tornadoes then, I sing that song...When I see the blood, I will pass, I will pass over you!!!
I have told other Christians to try this one, and they have and it worked for them, also!!!
The wind always dies down very fast when I sing this song!!! Never hurts to try this one!!!
I think a lot of these fears have to doing with just feeling "trapped"...When one is suffering from anxiety, then they need to feel in control, and we cannot control the weather!!! Only God can do that one!!!
And one needs to feel like they can come and go as they please!!!
I am soooo blessed because I do not fear the snow at all!!! I do get kinda bored, if it tends to hang around too long, and it is icy and I can't go anywhere for days on end!!! LOL
I thank God that doesn't happen very often
I think a lot like Cornflower!!! My faith in Jesus gets me through soooo many things in this life!!!
I am not a big winter fan either, because I don't care for cold weather!!! Brrrrrr!!!
I do not worry about being trapped, though, and we live down in the boondocks...
I do have a 4 wheel drive jeep and that does help tremendously!!!
I think it all boils down to "being trapped in one's way of thinking"...I am almost sure of it!!!
I did enjoy reading this conversation!!! Thanks everyone
!!!Have a wonderful night's rest all safe, warm and cuddled beneath the wings of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!!!
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Guest
BTW: I used to feel trapped just living in the hills!!! My panic attacks were soooo bad!!! It is sooo difficult to explain, but I am sure that I was claustrophobic, since I could not even bear being in a doctor's office with the door shut...LOL..Not sooo funny when one is going through this type of thing 
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Guest
Your advice is familiar. My doc's and friends advise the same thing. I try. I can make it outside for awhile, then run like hell back in the house. Aside from intense fearr of snow (storms) I really hate it. I was over 40 before I knew what a snow angel was and how to make one. Did it once. Anticipation of coming snow is horrible. I'm not enjoying the beautiful sunshine in the present moment because of anticipation. I'm going to try to face it more later today or tomorrow, whenever it gets here. Thanks for listening.
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Hi F3:
I suppose that it all boils down to your changing your thoughts. As extraordinary as it seems, it is possible. I think that the thing to do would be to journal about it. You could write briefly about your fears; then counter those with positive statements. Perhaps you feel that there isn't anything positive about a snow storm.
One time when I was living in Colorado, we got a pretty hefty snow storm. The next mroning
we couldn't open our front door because snow was piled against it. But he neighbors came over , laughing, and shoveled us out. The sun was bright that morning. As is often the case in Colorado. We got our shovels and went out and begin on our driveway. Everyone was out.
Actually it was a fun day. At such itmes people tend to bond and let down their reserve.
So it may be that you could find something positive about the situation.
Otherwise I wouldn't know what to tell you.
Because there is no way that any of us can control the weather. You just accept it - or you fight it and live out stormy days in terror.
When a tornado hits , it hits. There is no way to stop a storm. And no matter what happens,
you have to accept it.
I do hope you get more comfortable.
MJ
I suppose that it all boils down to your changing your thoughts. As extraordinary as it seems, it is possible. I think that the thing to do would be to journal about it. You could write briefly about your fears; then counter those with positive statements. Perhaps you feel that there isn't anything positive about a snow storm.
One time when I was living in Colorado, we got a pretty hefty snow storm. The next mroning
we couldn't open our front door because snow was piled against it. But he neighbors came over , laughing, and shoveled us out. The sun was bright that morning. As is often the case in Colorado. We got our shovels and went out and begin on our driveway. Everyone was out.
Actually it was a fun day. At such itmes people tend to bond and let down their reserve.
So it may be that you could find something positive about the situation.
Otherwise I wouldn't know what to tell you.
Because there is no way that any of us can control the weather. You just accept it - or you fight it and live out stormy days in terror.
When a tornado hits , it hits. There is no way to stop a storm. And no matter what happens,
you have to accept it.
I do hope you get more comfortable.
MJ
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Guest
lol MJ my husband just yesterday was saying loudly "I just love this WEATHER!"
He often says this in a sarcastic tone when the weather is especially dark and dismal and cold and snowy, like it was yesterday.
I didn't care for it either.
And you are right, as I look out the window it's snow snow snow galore yet the sun is shining out there.
Typical Colorado weather!
I sometimes need to change my thinking about the weather too, not from anxiety but to just not "loving it" to at least liking it.
What can we do about this weather but change our thoughts. It is totally beyond our control. Short of moving ourselves to the tropics. We can't change it, but we can change our thoughts about it.
He often says this in a sarcastic tone when the weather is especially dark and dismal and cold and snowy, like it was yesterday.
I didn't care for it either.
And you are right, as I look out the window it's snow snow snow galore yet the sun is shining out there.
Typical Colorado weather!
I sometimes need to change my thinking about the weather too, not from anxiety but to just not "loving it" to at least liking it.
What can we do about this weather but change our thoughts. It is totally beyond our control. Short of moving ourselves to the tropics. We can't change it, but we can change our thoughts about it.
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Guest
I am more comfortable with this impending storm than with the one last Saturday. I know that everyone's thoughts and good wished have helped. I've been telling myself, as you have, that I've been through hundreds of storm situations so far in this life and even though I 've been scared, nothing really bad ever happened, and probably won't this time. Thank you for your thoughts. I'm still scared as hell, but better off than I was yesterday or last Saturday. Keep the thoughts and prayers comin'! I need 'em.
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Guest
Oh my goodness I just came upon this post and although I feel so bad for you all that have the winter weather phobia's its very comforting to me to know I am not alone with this. I have a huge phobia when it comes to worrying about bad winter storms heading our way. I literally freak out and become a walking anxiety ball of nerves that feels like I have every hair on my body standing straight out like a porcupine. I kid you not! I also go to the weather channels often to view the maps and read the forecast. I especially go to accuweather.com to look at the extended forecast to see whats in the near future. I have a huge huge fear when they say our temps are going way down because I fear our electricity going off and us freezing. I have Raynaud's Syndrome which is a circulatory problem and when my toes and fingers get to cold they go white and numb. Therefore I really worry and make myself sick obsessing about what we would do if that happens. I also feel very trapped when there is snow on the ground and fear no emergency help can get up our hill to help anyone in our neighborhood if the roads get to snow/ice covered. I start dreading winter in October when the temps start cooling down and when it hits the anxiety sky rockets. I can't tell you how many times I say "I can't wait for spring!" all winter long lol. Thank you for posting this thread it's so nice to know others know how it feels to fear winter so much. God bless you all <3.
God bless you all <3.