afraird of bad storms PLEASE HELP
Hi Tony:
The threat of a tornado is something scary . No doubt about that.
But as others have pointed out to you, you can't do much about them. Where you live and where I live they can happen.
So to deal with that possibility of it happening, the best way to cope with it is to be accepting of the possibility. There is simply no way to control it as has been pointed out. But you can train yourself to be accepting. They don't last long. They pounce and then are gone. (most of the time).
Of course your heart will beat fast. And you'll dread it.
But just get in as safe a place as you can and just let it happen. And then it'll be gone!!
That is about all I can say about it.
But I understand.
Kind of look around you and see how many bldgs. are still standing that may be older than you are. You'll be surprised.
Best of luck.
MJ
The threat of a tornado is something scary . No doubt about that.
But as others have pointed out to you, you can't do much about them. Where you live and where I live they can happen.
So to deal with that possibility of it happening, the best way to cope with it is to be accepting of the possibility. There is simply no way to control it as has been pointed out. But you can train yourself to be accepting. They don't last long. They pounce and then are gone. (most of the time).
Of course your heart will beat fast. And you'll dread it.
But just get in as safe a place as you can and just let it happen. And then it'll be gone!!
That is about all I can say about it.
But I understand.
Kind of look around you and see how many bldgs. are still standing that may be older than you are. You'll be surprised.
Best of luck.
MJ
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Guest
Hi,
Please log in and click under my name and look at my post entitled "Level of Alert" about how I learned to deal with severe weather. Please know that I was the worst of the worst, and it is miraculous to everyone around me that I have over come this fear. I was actually born in Columbus, Georgia:), but I moved away very shortly after my birth. We moved to the Gulf Coast, but I was an adult by the time we moved to Alabama. That's where tornadoes come in because the area I live in is known as the second tornado alley.
I had to learn about the weather, and I had to learn that it's not necessary to act like every threat of severe weather is exactly the same. I know so much about the weather now, and it makes such a difference. I was near the path of an F-4 tornado in 2000, and it was severely traumatic. However, I learned so much, including the weather dynamics that make an F-4 tornado(it just doesn't happen all the time and that's good:)), and so I just want you to know that if I can get over this fear, you can too:). It's so funny that now people who know about my past fear will say, "I thought about you during the bad weather", and I'll say, "Oh, I knew it wasn't a bad situation, and I was asleep:)." Keep in mind that I wouldn't have been asleep during a high risk for tornadoes. There is a time when watching the weather is important just like putting on your seat belt is important when driving. Please keep that in mind and do not beat yourself up at all. Weather phobia is highly common because really there are times to be cautious.
So, I don't think the "fear" needs to completely go away, or you can rephrase it to "awareness". There are times when you need to be aware of the weather and seek safety. However, you can protect yourself when needed and remain calm. I just think the big thing is to learn that a threat of an E-F1 tornado is different from the threat of an E-F4. A summer thunderstorm popping up from the heat and spawning a weak, short-lived tornado is different from a strong cold front coming through with a High Risk potential for long track tornadoes. Also, it depends on your situation whether or not you should leave your home and for how long before and after the threat is over that you should do so. I used to stay at the hospital for hours well in advance of a front and too long after it was over, and that was not necessary. I had to learn more about it. Also, people who live in Mobile Homes should not stay in them during the threat of severe weather, including severe thunderstorms, so it is not abnormal for someone to seek shelter elsewhere. Our local hospital here is used for a shelter by many here during severe weather. We use it depending on the circumstances, and it's O.K. to do so in those circumstances.
If you want to talk with me more by private message, I really think I can help you with this because it was the biggie for me. I also want to say that I will always hate tornadoes, but that I've lived in a tornado alley for 9 years is a big deal. I will always hate them, but the truth of the matter is that with the technology we have today, we are so lucky. Here, you aren't limited to the Weather Channel-you can get a lot of access by computer to radars that show you exactly what's going on, and it is so great because it doesn't encourage you to be obsessed, but it helps you not worry when you shouldn't so you can use your energy for other things. Our technology does tend to over react in its detection rather than under react. There are so many factors involved. On Friday we had a moderate risk of tornadoes, but then we had what is known as a "cap" protecting us from what was happening in Murfeesboro, Tn. It's amazing to me to have learned about this. I could actually look up at the sky and tell by the clouds that we had the cap over us, and I didn't worry about it:).
So, if you think I can help you, I certainly would love to. I know what it's like. I don't regret learning about the weather, but I do regret the past where I would stay at the hospital with my son and my husband for way too long. I hate that I wasted that time of my life being afraid. I needed to know how to protect myself at times, but I didn't need to over react that way to do it, and I'm hoping I can help you. I also don't think the risk for Columbus is as high as it is here. The weather patterns are a little different, and just maybe I can help you learn about that.
If you have the knowledge that I have about the weather and it's not helping you calm down, please know that it is just a distraction. When my weather phobia became the highest, there were many things in my life that were out of my control. I think I tried to focus on the weather to gain a sense of control during a chaotic time. So, it can be just fear of the weather because weather can be scary, and it can also be something going on in your life that makes you focus on the weather to distract yourself. Sorry to go on, but I think I can help:).
Take care,
luvpiggy
Please log in and click under my name and look at my post entitled "Level of Alert" about how I learned to deal with severe weather. Please know that I was the worst of the worst, and it is miraculous to everyone around me that I have over come this fear. I was actually born in Columbus, Georgia:), but I moved away very shortly after my birth. We moved to the Gulf Coast, but I was an adult by the time we moved to Alabama. That's where tornadoes come in because the area I live in is known as the second tornado alley.
I had to learn about the weather, and I had to learn that it's not necessary to act like every threat of severe weather is exactly the same. I know so much about the weather now, and it makes such a difference. I was near the path of an F-4 tornado in 2000, and it was severely traumatic. However, I learned so much, including the weather dynamics that make an F-4 tornado(it just doesn't happen all the time and that's good:)), and so I just want you to know that if I can get over this fear, you can too:). It's so funny that now people who know about my past fear will say, "I thought about you during the bad weather", and I'll say, "Oh, I knew it wasn't a bad situation, and I was asleep:)." Keep in mind that I wouldn't have been asleep during a high risk for tornadoes. There is a time when watching the weather is important just like putting on your seat belt is important when driving. Please keep that in mind and do not beat yourself up at all. Weather phobia is highly common because really there are times to be cautious.
So, I don't think the "fear" needs to completely go away, or you can rephrase it to "awareness". There are times when you need to be aware of the weather and seek safety. However, you can protect yourself when needed and remain calm. I just think the big thing is to learn that a threat of an E-F1 tornado is different from the threat of an E-F4. A summer thunderstorm popping up from the heat and spawning a weak, short-lived tornado is different from a strong cold front coming through with a High Risk potential for long track tornadoes. Also, it depends on your situation whether or not you should leave your home and for how long before and after the threat is over that you should do so. I used to stay at the hospital for hours well in advance of a front and too long after it was over, and that was not necessary. I had to learn more about it. Also, people who live in Mobile Homes should not stay in them during the threat of severe weather, including severe thunderstorms, so it is not abnormal for someone to seek shelter elsewhere. Our local hospital here is used for a shelter by many here during severe weather. We use it depending on the circumstances, and it's O.K. to do so in those circumstances.
If you want to talk with me more by private message, I really think I can help you with this because it was the biggie for me. I also want to say that I will always hate tornadoes, but that I've lived in a tornado alley for 9 years is a big deal. I will always hate them, but the truth of the matter is that with the technology we have today, we are so lucky. Here, you aren't limited to the Weather Channel-you can get a lot of access by computer to radars that show you exactly what's going on, and it is so great because it doesn't encourage you to be obsessed, but it helps you not worry when you shouldn't so you can use your energy for other things. Our technology does tend to over react in its detection rather than under react. There are so many factors involved. On Friday we had a moderate risk of tornadoes, but then we had what is known as a "cap" protecting us from what was happening in Murfeesboro, Tn. It's amazing to me to have learned about this. I could actually look up at the sky and tell by the clouds that we had the cap over us, and I didn't worry about it:).
So, if you think I can help you, I certainly would love to. I know what it's like. I don't regret learning about the weather, but I do regret the past where I would stay at the hospital with my son and my husband for way too long. I hate that I wasted that time of my life being afraid. I needed to know how to protect myself at times, but I didn't need to over react that way to do it, and I'm hoping I can help you. I also don't think the risk for Columbus is as high as it is here. The weather patterns are a little different, and just maybe I can help you learn about that.
If you have the knowledge that I have about the weather and it's not helping you calm down, please know that it is just a distraction. When my weather phobia became the highest, there were many things in my life that were out of my control. I think I tried to focus on the weather to gain a sense of control during a chaotic time. So, it can be just fear of the weather because weather can be scary, and it can also be something going on in your life that makes you focus on the weather to distract yourself. Sorry to go on, but I think I can help:).
Take care,
luvpiggy
-
Guest
Hi tonymarano.
Here in Iowa we also get a lot of tornadoes. I have seen 4 tornadoes in my 53 years of life. The closest one was around 3 miles away but still scared the heck out of me. The TV or radio will give you a warning that there is a chance of a tornado & you can take cover in the basement or some where else safe. Look around & have an idea of where you would go in case of a tornado. Get a weather radio & have it on when there is a chance of bad weather. I know what you’re going through but the thought of what could happen is the scary part. Chances of you ever going through a tornado or getting hurt by one are very slim. Remember that all scary things are just thoughts in our mind & they probably will never come true. All we have to do is change the thought to something else preferably something good.
Keep thinking positive it’s not near as scary as negative thoughts.
Take Care,
Triple “L”
little italy how is the not smoking going?
Here in Iowa we also get a lot of tornadoes. I have seen 4 tornadoes in my 53 years of life. The closest one was around 3 miles away but still scared the heck out of me. The TV or radio will give you a warning that there is a chance of a tornado & you can take cover in the basement or some where else safe. Look around & have an idea of where you would go in case of a tornado. Get a weather radio & have it on when there is a chance of bad weather. I know what you’re going through but the thought of what could happen is the scary part. Chances of you ever going through a tornado or getting hurt by one are very slim. Remember that all scary things are just thoughts in our mind & they probably will never come true. All we have to do is change the thought to something else preferably something good.
Keep thinking positive it’s not near as scary as negative thoughts.
Take Care,
Triple “L”
little italy how is the not smoking going?
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had enough
- Posts: 45
- Joined: Mon Nov 06, 2006 7:39 pm
Hey, I don't blame you, severe weather can be anxiety producing,
First try to just breathe, just relax and while I"m sure your praying. Grab a journal, and start writing down your thoughts about these storms, get them out of your head and onto paper, then take a look at them. Are they positive or negative? If they're negative they're only fueling even more of these scary feelings,the red ears, the scary feelings are only scary thoughts, ( irrational thoughts) and theyre in turn causing physical symtoms. We are good at scareing ourselves the most. Your thoughts are racing, and you need to use self love, postive talk, get a flash light, a radio,a blanket water etc. prepare yourself a kit, then when you've done what you can, try to relax, easier said then done I know. Make yourself a cup of tea, get a good meal, call a friend, ask to rent some good movies, stay with a family member or just call someone to chat. Plus pray, you will be okay, this too shall pass, you won't feel like this forever, control what you can, then let god. Also being tired will only exasperate your symptoms. hang in there, peace, Amber
First try to just breathe, just relax and while I"m sure your praying. Grab a journal, and start writing down your thoughts about these storms, get them out of your head and onto paper, then take a look at them. Are they positive or negative? If they're negative they're only fueling even more of these scary feelings,the red ears, the scary feelings are only scary thoughts, ( irrational thoughts) and theyre in turn causing physical symtoms. We are good at scareing ourselves the most. Your thoughts are racing, and you need to use self love, postive talk, get a flash light, a radio,a blanket water etc. prepare yourself a kit, then when you've done what you can, try to relax, easier said then done I know. Make yourself a cup of tea, get a good meal, call a friend, ask to rent some good movies, stay with a family member or just call someone to chat. Plus pray, you will be okay, this too shall pass, you won't feel like this forever, control what you can, then let god. Also being tired will only exasperate your symptoms. hang in there, peace, Amber