Okay being horribly afraid of tornadoes and living in Oklahoma don't mix. I have my anxiety pretty much under control with the help of this program, my therapist, and meds, but when tornadoes are iminent I can't stop myself from obsessing and worrying. I just stare at the coverage on the tv until any danger has passed, and the whole time I'm a sweating, nervous wreck.
Does anyone else deal with this and if so, any suggestions on how to help it?
Thanks!
Sandina
Tornado anxiety anyone?
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Guest
um, I'd be nervous too if it was possible my house was going to get spun around and launched onto the next block.
When I was visiting an office in California they had a sign "In case of Earth Quake" till then I had not thought much about that happening, the sign made me go. "Holy (insert word here)."
For some reason, this is not something I am to anxious about when in areas traveling, however, if a warning were to come across the TV I am sure I'd be a bit on the anxious side.
There are just some things that just have to concern you and I'd think if there was an active warning this would be one of them.
If you worry about them all the time then that is not healthy.
When I was visiting an office in California they had a sign "In case of Earth Quake" till then I had not thought much about that happening, the sign made me go. "Holy (insert word here)."
For some reason, this is not something I am to anxious about when in areas traveling, however, if a warning were to come across the TV I am sure I'd be a bit on the anxious side.
There are just some things that just have to concern you and I'd think if there was an active warning this would be one of them.
If you worry about them all the time then that is not healthy.
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Guest
Sandina,
I was sitting here feeling bad about a recent anxiety I had when I read your post and it really made me pause.
I think it is incredible, and true, that each and every one of us has at least one of those fears. I have been working on this program for almost two years and have made MANY changes that I'm proud of...but mention dating to me and I could puke. I'm scared to death of getting to know someone new.
My mom is scared of driving from her house to mine. There is one bad exit she has to merge on, scares the crap out of her.
We all have something we need to work on, and you can get past your fear of tornado's...however, I think there should be a good vigilence during a warning and watch. I have been through and seen a couple of tornado's.
If it helps, the aftermath that is shown on the news never seems to include the immense ammount of community and love that come after such a disaster.
I guess what I am trying to say is, I've been there...and.
--There are precautions you can take.
--Taking those precautions WILL save your life in the case of a tornado!
--Have a plan of action and trust in that.
--You will be ok and tornados ARE scary! To anyone
--Worse case scenario, if a tornado ever touches down near you, I bet you that there will be at least 25 people there to help you every step of the way through anything. You will help each other and you will never be alone.
If it helps even more -- if anything ever happens, I will personally come and help you.I hope i've helped and if I didn't I would be happy to try again.
I was sitting here feeling bad about a recent anxiety I had when I read your post and it really made me pause.
I think it is incredible, and true, that each and every one of us has at least one of those fears. I have been working on this program for almost two years and have made MANY changes that I'm proud of...but mention dating to me and I could puke. I'm scared to death of getting to know someone new.
My mom is scared of driving from her house to mine. There is one bad exit she has to merge on, scares the crap out of her.
We all have something we need to work on, and you can get past your fear of tornado's...however, I think there should be a good vigilence during a warning and watch. I have been through and seen a couple of tornado's.
If it helps, the aftermath that is shown on the news never seems to include the immense ammount of community and love that come after such a disaster.
I guess what I am trying to say is, I've been there...and.
--There are precautions you can take.
--Taking those precautions WILL save your life in the case of a tornado!
--Have a plan of action and trust in that.
--You will be ok and tornados ARE scary! To anyone
--Worse case scenario, if a tornado ever touches down near you, I bet you that there will be at least 25 people there to help you every step of the way through anything. You will help each other and you will never be alone.
If it helps even more -- if anything ever happens, I will personally come and help you.I hope i've helped and if I didn't I would be happy to try again.
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Guest
Hi,
It's understandable that you're nervous about tornadoes, especially if one has ever visited your neighborhood and you've seen what a mess a twister can make. New Orleans doesn't seem to get many, but the one on Feb. 13 of last year ripped the entire roof off of a house only two blocks away from me.
Now the announcement of a tornado watch puts a little edge of apprehension on me that it wouldn't have earlier. As lilsismj suggests, take precautions during a watch. Maybe you could distract yourself from your fears by reading a favorite book, or somthing like that? Hope this helps.
purpmartin
It's understandable that you're nervous about tornadoes, especially if one has ever visited your neighborhood and you've seen what a mess a twister can make. New Orleans doesn't seem to get many, but the one on Feb. 13 of last year ripped the entire roof off of a house only two blocks away from me.
Now the announcement of a tornado watch puts a little edge of apprehension on me that it wouldn't have earlier. As lilsismj suggests, take precautions during a watch. Maybe you could distract yourself from your fears by reading a favorite book, or somthing like that? Hope this helps.
purpmartin
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Guest
I would feel like you if I lived in Oklahoma! Here in FL we get hurricanes and I do the same as you - watch tv endlessly.
As far as tornadoes, thats one of my recurring dreams when I'm very stressed. I've never seen one or even been near one in my life. But when I start dreaming about tornadoes, I know that I am super stressed!
As far as tornadoes, thats one of my recurring dreams when I'm very stressed. I've never seen one or even been near one in my life. But when I start dreaming about tornadoes, I know that I am super stressed!
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Guest
This is my second year of living in Cincinnati and I get really nervous when we're on tornado watch. I got sweaty palms when I noticed the tornado sirens for the first time. I, too, started having dreams about them.
In California - even as a kid - I was afraid of earthquakes....and I've been through some pretty big ones. I used to dream about those, too. Now I feel like I would welcome that threat. LOL.
I think that it's important to allow yourself to feel nervous. It's not illogical to worry about something like that....you're in Oklahoma. If you were worrying about tornadoes in California or earthquakes in Oklahome, that might be an irrational fear.
I think part of the vicious cycle is that we worry, then we worry about worrying, etc., and before you know it we're a wreck.
I think lilsismj has some great and practical suggestions so that you can function through your worry, rather than letting it control what you do.
In California - even as a kid - I was afraid of earthquakes....and I've been through some pretty big ones. I used to dream about those, too. Now I feel like I would welcome that threat. LOL.
I think that it's important to allow yourself to feel nervous. It's not illogical to worry about something like that....you're in Oklahoma. If you were worrying about tornadoes in California or earthquakes in Oklahome, that might be an irrational fear.
I think part of the vicious cycle is that we worry, then we worry about worrying, etc., and before you know it we're a wreck.
I think lilsismj has some great and practical suggestions so that you can function through your worry, rather than letting it control what you do.
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Guest
Sandina. I can definitely understand. Today the county I work in and the county I live in were under tornado warnings. One went south of where I was and one went northeast of where I was. I was hugging the xanax bottle. Now granted I only take 1/4 of one and the threat was passed before it could take a effect but still I thought I needed it. It's hard to relax and enjoy the spring. I live in Texas. I called my aunt and uncle to see how they fared. They live up near Tulsa.
I wish I could offer suggestions. I try to remember that just because there's a warning doesn't mean there is a touchdown. And most tornadoes from what I read only last about 15 minutes and things like that.
I try and talk myself down and am fortunate at work that everyone knows how I am and they really are compassionate and help out.
I wish I could offer suggestions. I try to remember that just because there's a warning doesn't mean there is a touchdown. And most tornadoes from what I read only last about 15 minutes and things like that.
I try and talk myself down and am fortunate at work that everyone knows how I am and they really are compassionate and help out.
I'm not sure how you can get over the fear of tornadoes, except for being prepared. You should always be alert, and know what is going on with the weather. NOT watching the weather channel during a storm is probably worse than watching it. Yeah, it might spike your anxiety a bit, but if you don't know it could get a lot scarier. Since you live in the Stress you should know all the safety precautions to take in case of emergency, so the best thing you can do is follow those precautions and try not to worry too much.
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Guest
Hello all:
Good discussion this time of year.
I am 79 +. I lived in East Texas growing up.
If there is a tornado watch, I don't get so excited. I take notice but don't get upset.
If there is a Warning, I pay very close attention to the news. If the elect. stays on!
But when that storm starts bearing doen on you,
when the thunder is rolling like mad, and the lightening is crashing around your windows and the rain pours with force - then you get into the safest part of your house, or whereever you are and you pray!! If you don't get hit, it is gone right away.
I've seen storms come and go.
As I wrote, I'm 79. Tornados are very scary. You can't get around that.
But I don't panic or anything like that.
Tornados are real problems. It is the things that you can think up that can cause panic.
I figure I've already lived quite long. I try to practive faith.
Now If I hear that a tornado is bearing down on the town my son lives in about 2 hours from here, then I might panic about his safty. (and his family). But mostly, even then, I try to practive faith.
I live in Tornado Alley.
Good luck to all.
And blessings!!
MJ
Good discussion this time of year.
I am 79 +. I lived in East Texas growing up.
If there is a tornado watch, I don't get so excited. I take notice but don't get upset.
If there is a Warning, I pay very close attention to the news. If the elect. stays on!
But when that storm starts bearing doen on you,
when the thunder is rolling like mad, and the lightening is crashing around your windows and the rain pours with force - then you get into the safest part of your house, or whereever you are and you pray!! If you don't get hit, it is gone right away.
I've seen storms come and go.
As I wrote, I'm 79. Tornados are very scary. You can't get around that.
But I don't panic or anything like that.
Tornados are real problems. It is the things that you can think up that can cause panic.
I figure I've already lived quite long. I try to practive faith.
Now If I hear that a tornado is bearing down on the town my son lives in about 2 hours from here, then I might panic about his safty. (and his family). But mostly, even then, I try to practive faith.
I live in Tornado Alley.
Good luck to all.
And blessings!!
MJ