Ok, I hate to sound like a baby but I don't like thunderstorms. I don't mind the thunder and lightning. The problem is when they get severe and there's the possibity of a "T" forming. I don't even want to say the word. You know tornado. Well last Saturday or Sunday I looked at the forecast and saw there was a possibility of bad weather in our area for Monday and Tuesday. By sunday night, I was very anxious about it. Monday, I was sick all day over it. At one point, there was a tornado watch to the east of us, and a tornado watch to the west of us, and a severe thunderstorm watch to the north of us, but it was really funny that the county I live in and the one next to me didn't have any watches. We were sandwiched right in the middle. Still, I didn't sleep and obsessed over the weather and watched every forecast and read between the lines to see how bad it would be.
Ended up with a lot of rain. I went to lunch today and it was funny, I was out in some of the heaviest weather and got soaked and I was ok. Today was really a good day.
I'm tired of making myself sick over this. I don't know if it is possible for me to one day walk up to a tornado and say hey come and get me, but I would like to cut the stress level way down from where it is now. I'm worrying sick over it days in advance.
Any suggestions?
Wigging out about Thunderstorms
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dragonfly7518
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2008 11:25 pm
I completely understand Whispers...I am also in TX and every time the weather started getting really severe I felt really anxious...like maybe it's going to be incredibly bad and something was going to happen to me...I have learned to keep telling myself over and over that it;s something not in my control and to not dwell on it. I did the same many years ago with my fear of flying...both have significantly subsided...but it took time
You will get better!
You will get better!
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sunnyweather
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Sat Sep 02, 2006 10:12 am
That was a huge fear of mine also, about 5 years ago. I would constantly check the rearview mirror for thunderstorms and possible tornadoes when driving to everyday activities, and I was absolutely petrified anytime a wind storm blew and even the mention of a t warning would send me into a panic.
There is good news I did go through that phase for many years, but that was before I was even aware of my anxious tendencies, and over time it just passed, as I think my mind got tired of reacting to the same old stimulus that never produced a life-threatening terror that my "fight or flight" senses produced. I now enjoy thunderstorms and wind, and I don't really think twice about the chance of tornadoes. And this was all done without the help of a program such as this anxiety program- so I can't imagine how well you can do once you face your fears with positive talk, logical thinking, rationality, and a whole lot of love. You CAN do it, no matter how terrifying- just know that you can protect your inner self by being warm and comforting with positive talk.
There is good news
I did go through that phase for many years, but that was before I was even aware of my anxious tendencies, and over time it just passed, as I think my mind got tired of reacting to the same old stimulus that never produced a life-threatening terror that my "fight or flight" senses produced. I now enjoy thunderstorms and wind, and I don't really think twice about the chance of tornadoes. And this was all done without the help of a program such as this anxiety program- so I can't imagine how well you can do once you face your fears with positive talk, logical thinking, rationality, and a whole lot of love. You CAN do it, no matter how terrifying- just know that you can protect your inner self by being warm and comforting with positive talk.Maybe it's because i'm in Chicago, and we haven't really had tornados, but I love thunderstorms! I love the rain, and the cracking of the thunder. It relaxes me. I even have those thunderstorm relaxation tapes. Whenever it thunders here, I have to open the window so that I can experience it fully. My daughters love thunder too. Ever since they were small children we've been watching thunderstorms together.
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Mary Wargo
- Posts: 274
- Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2008 12:37 pm
Okay, so why am I up dealing with anxiety right now after midnight when I haven't had a panic attack in over month? Heavy rain that's been going all day and the stupid "flood warning" banner going across my T.V.
I've had a hard time figuring out what triggers my panic and I get them so inconsistently that it's hard to even track. The journaling's been helping and BAM I got it tonight and realized I have an issue with night time and combine that with a storm and I'm done!
I'm from California and new to Ohio, so this level of rain is new to me and scares me so bad I just want to go get in my car and start driving back right now. I can't turn it off. I finally came on here and this is the first post I saw.
Funny, it's all what you're used to. Give me an earthquake anyday...but I HATE the rain, especially at night....as my husband -like you, dee dee, is snoring away. He loves it.
Sunnyweather, what did you do to get over it?
I've had a hard time figuring out what triggers my panic and I get them so inconsistently that it's hard to even track. The journaling's been helping and BAM I got it tonight and realized I have an issue with night time and combine that with a storm and I'm done!
I'm from California and new to Ohio, so this level of rain is new to me and scares me so bad I just want to go get in my car and start driving back right now. I can't turn it off. I finally came on here and this is the first post I saw.
Funny, it's all what you're used to. Give me an earthquake anyday...but I HATE the rain, especially at night....as my husband -like you, dee dee, is snoring away. He loves it.
Sunnyweather, what did you do to get over it?
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Believer08
- Posts: 107
- Joined: Thu Feb 28, 2008 6:47 pm
Yes KitKat I can relate. I'm also from California....I relocated here to Michigan in 2006. Last year when I first heard the Tornado Sirens I freaked out. Now when I hear the practice sirens they still scare me. I can handle an earthquake....just get under a door way but a Tornado and we don't have a basement...and I have an infant and a 9 year old. This is very different. I see the neighbors move about like its nothing...still washng their cars, checking the mail and I'm here biting my nails panting. Thank God for deep breathing....Its amazing the things that trigger us are mainly things we have no control over....I am in the process of learning to release and Trust a higher power God......
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Whispers65
- Posts: 24
- Joined: Fri Feb 01, 2008 4:12 pm
Dragon - it has been better before but really bad right now. I don't do that well at flying either lol and haven't flown in about 3 or 4 years but have thought about it. My aunt and uncle live near Tulsa, OK and I used to fly up there. It's only a 45 minute flight so when I get back in the swing of things, that'll probably be my first stop unless I win the lottery lol. Then I can buy a house with a storm shelter or basement!
sunnyweather I like your name! Last year was fairly bad for our area. One night I got really scared and left my apartment (storms were near) and went south of town to where my ex-wife lives. Well the line of storms came through and where we were the wind gusts was around 100 mph according to the weather people. It split a huge oak tree in half in the front yard. that did give me a new perspective on storms but most aren't nearly as windy as that. And that wind speed we went through is almost as much as an EF2 I believe, a little lower than that so I use all of this to help keep me comfort but still wish I could go to a safer place.
DeeDee - lol I do have thunderstorm relaxation cds too but they aren't very relaxing to me now. maybe I should listen to them and work on my breathing. hmmmmmm.
Mary - sokay! At least you can understand where I am coming from. Thanks for your reply.
KitKat - Wow I don't think I could handle an earthquake. One thing I figured out for me. Forever as far as I remember I would feel really anxious starting in the springtime and going to about October. I thought it had something to do with the time change, but now I know it is because of the storms. I've vowed to make this summer the best. At least now after finding out what is going on I am able to relax during the tween times until the next storm.
Believer - I look at other people and notice the same thing. they are going about their business as if nothing is going on while I'm probably white in the face and look as if I'm going to fall any minute. Last year someone wrote into one of the news station and complained because they were broadcasting information on a tornado and it was interrupting American Idol lol.
sunnyweather I like your name! Last year was fairly bad for our area. One night I got really scared and left my apartment (storms were near) and went south of town to where my ex-wife lives. Well the line of storms came through and where we were the wind gusts was around 100 mph according to the weather people. It split a huge oak tree in half in the front yard. that did give me a new perspective on storms but most aren't nearly as windy as that. And that wind speed we went through is almost as much as an EF2 I believe, a little lower than that so I use all of this to help keep me comfort but still wish I could go to a safer place.
DeeDee - lol I do have thunderstorm relaxation cds too but they aren't very relaxing to me now. maybe I should listen to them and work on my breathing. hmmmmmm.
Mary - sokay! At least you can understand where I am coming from. Thanks for your reply.
KitKat - Wow I don't think I could handle an earthquake. One thing I figured out for me. Forever as far as I remember I would feel really anxious starting in the springtime and going to about October. I thought it had something to do with the time change, but now I know it is because of the storms. I've vowed to make this summer the best. At least now after finding out what is going on I am able to relax during the tween times until the next storm.
Believer - I look at other people and notice the same thing. they are going about their business as if nothing is going on while I'm probably white in the face and look as if I'm going to fall any minute. Last year someone wrote into one of the news station and complained because they were broadcasting information on a tornado and it was interrupting American Idol lol.
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sunnyweather
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Sat Sep 02, 2006 10:12 am
Kitkat- At the time that I was dealing with this, I didn't have the program or any idea that it was anxiety related, and therefore an overreaction on my part. So it wouldn't really be accurate to say I did a lot of things to "get over it" because I honestly just brooded and got all riled up in the feelings every time there was wind above 20 mph!
But, good news! This fear went away on its own, completely and wholly- which is a good sign for all of those who are actually looking to attack their fear head on and take away some of its power- you guys are in such a better place than I was at the time to get over it, and I eventually did. What I'm trying to say is through all my life of on-again, off-again anxiety, ALL of my fears have passed in time, as I think they body just gets tired of focusing so much energy and "fight or flight" responses to a situation that never produces any energy. I mean, how many of us were actually caught up in the middle of a tornado all of the times our adrenaline, strong dread feelings were released? For me, never, not once. I was always safe- there was no reason my poor body had to endure all of those feelings of impending doom- because our bodies do not know the difference of a true life or death situation, and adrenaline released because we choose to fear something.
I hope I'm making sense. I guess I'm just trying to say that it takes our minds a little while to catch on that we're being somewhat irrational by overreacting every time the wind or rain starts thumping, even if there is a T warning, even if there is a tornado. Let our bodies go into that mode if it ever needs to, like in an actual danger, and I think the mind is amazingly strong and will come to the conclusion that it does not need to produce constant fear. I'm an absolute believer that TIME ABSORBS...it absorbs our fears as we work through them. Be patient with yourself, and know that our minds and bodies can move on from this, and keep working ont he program! It will help you work through these fears much faster! Like I said, I now enjoy the thrill of a big thunderstorm...so it's 100% possible
Oh one other thing, when it gets really tough and super windy, I used to put on my favorite calming music in my headset, the same one every time and turn it up so I couldn't hear the wind as much. It calmed me down (especially when I used the same one every time, subconsciously I relaxed as soon as it went on) and helped me sleep through the night. Just a thought.
But, good news! This fear went away on its own, completely and wholly- which is a good sign for all of those who are actually looking to attack their fear head on and take away some of its power- you guys are in such a better place than I was at the time to get over it, and I eventually did. What I'm trying to say is through all my life of on-again, off-again anxiety, ALL of my fears have passed in time, as I think they body just gets tired of focusing so much energy and "fight or flight" responses to a situation that never produces any energy. I mean, how many of us were actually caught up in the middle of a tornado all of the times our adrenaline, strong dread feelings were released? For me, never, not once. I was always safe- there was no reason my poor body had to endure all of those feelings of impending doom- because our bodies do not know the difference of a true life or death situation, and adrenaline released because we choose to fear something.
I hope I'm making sense. I guess I'm just trying to say that it takes our minds a little while to catch on that we're being somewhat irrational by overreacting every time the wind or rain starts thumping, even if there is a T warning, even if there is a tornado. Let our bodies go into that mode if it ever needs to, like in an actual danger, and I think the mind is amazingly strong and will come to the conclusion that it does not need to produce constant fear. I'm an absolute believer that TIME ABSORBS...it absorbs our fears as we work through them. Be patient with yourself, and know that our minds and bodies can move on from this, and keep working ont he program! It will help you work through these fears much faster! Like I said, I now enjoy the thrill of a big thunderstorm...so it's 100% possible
Oh one other thing, when it gets really tough and super windy, I used to put on my favorite calming music in my headset, the same one every time and turn it up so I couldn't hear the wind as much. It calmed me down (especially when I used the same one every time, subconsciously I relaxed as soon as it went on) and helped me sleep through the night. Just a thought.
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dragonfly7518
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2008 11:25 pm