This Awful Feeling of Dread

Parent Cafe
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I’ve been dealing with this feeling for many months, a simmering dread which seems to have it’s roots in the sense that something catastrophic is about to happen, either domestically, globally, or both. I guess you can say, I’m scared, though at the same time, I’m deeply embarrassed by that fact. What am I scared of? Well, for one thing, that the U.S. we’ve come to know to be the best democratic experiment the world has ever known is dying a death by a thousand cavalier cuts. The lack of integrity by many in government seems greater than at any point I can recall during my 60 yrs. on earth. It scares me that there are (IMO) too few politicians willing to put country above party affiliation and/or personal enrichment. How is America supposed to survive almost zero bi-partisan cooperation, and the most corrosive atmosphere of social and party tribalism In modern history?

I’m scared of the prospect of nuclear war, too. There don’t appear to be any adults capable of steering us away from impending doom. The heated rhetoric and Sabre rattling ricocheting back and forth between Washington and Pyongyang has me scared cooler heads won’t be in the position to stop a cascade that could end life on earth. Yes, I know it sounds irrational, but I still can’t shake this feeling. It’s making it hard to sleep, or plan with any sense of hope or purpose. I’m functioning pretty minimally, to tell the truth.

I guess what I want to know is, is anyone else dealing with this level of anxiety? I don’t want to get political because that would result in the thread being locked. But I would like to know how to restore my composure. I’m already on an antidepressant, and can’t afford the insurance co-pays for mental health counseling. Also, God and I haven’t been on very good terms in years, so I guess you could also say I’ve lost my faith.

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Wrapping some human arms around you @poetsheart . I know you are not alone. Many feel as you do.

You may say you have lost faith …but your post indicates you have not because you are still compassionate and care - that, in my world shows faith and goodwill.

How much of your day is immersed in news and such? Consider scheduling news breaks if necessary. I have found that it doesn’t make me less passionate or caring to take a break from news/media. Like anything else, you need to regenerate and focus.

Maybe we can help you figure out how to afford the mental health counseling. I think it’s REALLY important and perhaps the most important thing you can proactively do.

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Don’t have anything to say that I think will help but wanted to let you know that you are not alone. I share the same feelings - the fear, frustration and anxiety. I just keep hoping that truth, reason and human decency will prevail but at the moment it doesn’t seem likely.

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I’ve read several articles that have confirmed that you are not alone in your concern. I can also say, that personally, I often feel the same.

However, I don’t think most people have the same level of anxiety about the situation as you (maybe we should, who knows?). I think people who are prone to anxiety often have one “hot button” issue that ruminates in the brain and anxiety has decided that this is your issue.

I’m pretty sure there are less expensive ways to get counseling depending on your location of course. I’m hoping someone will comment to provide some ideas.

There are also other meds that aren’t very expensive that can take the edge off your anxiety - beta blockers (a type of blood pressure med), blocks the release of adrenaline and can help relieve the physical symptoms of your stress. Anxiety can be very fatiguing and debilitating - many people just don’t understand. You might talk to your doctor about that or switching to another anti-depressant that works better for anxiety.

Hugs to you.

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Thank you so much, abasket, for the kind words. I think you’re right. I need to seriously throttle back on the amount of news coverage I watch. I mean, it’s not as if I have the power to make people in government link arms and work for what’s best for the country. I keep watching the news, hoping I won’t be sideswiped, but rather prepared for what’s To come, but I only come away feeling angry, dejected, and just sad. It’s taking all my energy. And in the event of nuclear war, I can only hope to be vaporized instantly, I guess.

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There are millions of us who feel this way.

I find I need to remove myself for periods of time (ranging from a few days to weeks) from listening to any news. I also just got rid of all notifications from new sites. Last week I binged all ten episodes of The Crown. It was a great distraction.

I won’t stop reading the NYT everyday - but I sometimes don’t read every article.

It also helps me to read tweets in response to latest idiotic tweet-lie. They are great for laughs in the face of absurdity.

Exercise helps a lot and also doing yoga. I feel so calm after I leave class.

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Also @poetsheart , reaching out to a group like this is a very good thing to do. Talk it out. Know you aren’t alone. Get some tips. Very proactive - good for you!

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You are so not alone. Great suggestions above, especially backing away from news media occasionally. I would add that finding something positive you can do to effect change is extremely helpful. I personally never donated to political campaigns prior to this year. I do now. It really helps me to feel like in my own small way I am doing something to help. You suggested money was an issue so maybe that doesn’t work well for you but maybe you could volunteer for a political campaign or at a soup kitchen or working with disadvantaged youth.

I know any action I take is just a tiny drop in the bucket and it won’t turn the tides of evil that seem to beset us, but each person doing their own little bit adds up.

Some other “little” things I’ve started doing include:
-smiling at and chatting with women in headscarves while waiting in lines
-going out of my way to show extra respect to the woman of color in my life
-upping my recycling and energy usage game
-encouraging people to vote
-listening respectfully to people from a different perspective than me but not being afraid to speak up and share my opinion as well in situations especially in situations where there is a possibility of real dialogue.

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I’m finding some solace in taking action. Donating to candidates, attending protests (went out with the state university grad students 2 weeks ago, watching the organization preparing for protests if Mueller is fired).

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@poetsheart

Yes, I wouldn’t doubt many, many people feel the way you do. And let’s face it, when we have an overwhelming strong feeling about something, most of us assume the feeling is true and is giving us important information about reality in the world.

Per the Buddhists, I don’t think our brains are set up to give us a particularly accurate view of reality at all!

Even if you cannot afford to work with a therapist, you may be able to find the strength and time to move your attention to something else.

Instead of watching the news or reading the news, choose a different activity. If you feel drawn back in, see if you can divert yourself away and do something else. Give yourself credit for small victories. Yay! I didn’t check the news today! I went for a walk instead, or met a friend for a show, or listened to favorite music, or watched a favorite old comedy, cleaned out my closet…

What we focus on, and spend our time doing, has a dramatic affect on how we feel. Some Buddhists call it “watering the seeds inside of us”…the seeds of anger, fear, joy, gratitude…we water, the seeds grow. Some warn about watering the seeds of despair, as that one can be particularly difficult to untangle oneself from.

If you were a news manager, and you needed to keep people watching and keep people clicking in a very competitive landscape, dishing out news that provokes strong emotions — especially anger and fear and ALARM— is a good business plan. It works on all of us because we are humans.

Come on over, we’ll walk my dog together. :slight_smile:

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Absolutely, I fear. But just as much that, on various bullets, we the people will let all this slide. Our own personal ‘business as usual.’

So I’m with Mom23 and intparent on taking some action. In my case, it’s a volunteer program that deals with a difficult (human) situation. There’s a Buddhist thinking that the good we do as compassionate and caring individuals adds up. I like that and find it empowering.

On a more direct note, it’s worth checking if you’re on the right Rx or if it needs notching up. Or, if you just started, some take time to take effect. Worth checking.

Best to all.

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I’m feeling a similar way as well. Though the holidays are putting a different spin on things.

Can I recommend taking some time out of your day for yourself or indulging in something that you rarely do? Maybe a spa day or an extra piece of cake. I believe it can do wonders.

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Poetsheart, you are certainly not alone in your feeling of dread. I feel it too. It worries me that you’re only “functioning minimally”. I think everyone has given great advice and I can only add that you should seek out humor whenever you can. Especially regarding politics and political news.

Certain nighttime TV hosts are great for speaking about certain problems and “taking the edge off” with humor. I like certain people like Roy Zimmerman on Fb and “half an onion in a bag” and Mordor National Park on twitter because they also address these issues and always, always, do it with humor.

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Right there with you, @poetsheart. Some days I’m so petrified with fear I feel like I can’t breathe. I still function fine, outwardly, but in my head I am clenched with dread. I haven’t feared nuclear war since the eighties, but I do now, and we’re seeing the first catastrophic results of climate change (here, anyway; they’ve been felt elsewhere already), and we are doing nothing about it, just changing laws to make it worse. I’m truly scared for my kids, and my hoped-for grandkids.

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@poetsheart Stop watching TV. Cable news wants you to feel as if you’re living on the edge and need them to get information. They’ve lined up story after story after story to keep you hooked. Just do that one thing and see how you feel in a few days. Write a list of other things to do instead…add all the tips above, go for a walk, browse the library, meditate/pray.

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I cannot count the nights that I haven’t slept this year. It’s a lot.

I’m absolutely terrified. I have a disease that’s fatal without treatment and I’ve been uninsured before. When the ACA repeal was going on, I looked very seriously into countries I could immigrate to. It will be cheaper for me to emigrate than to pay for my meds.

And then there was the grad tax. I had to seriously think about what would happen if I had to drop out of my program this upcoming semester. High on that list, dropping out would mean putting all pregnancy plans on hold because I don’t know what my future insurance will or won’t cover of my pregnancy which will include weekly ultrasounds to check for fetal heart defects.

I’ve had depression and anxiety issues since my early teens. This year I’ve gone on an additional anti-depressant and doubled the dose of my old one. (I’m on an anti-anxiety med too).

Weed cookies help me sleep at night on my worst days. I try to keep my stress under control because stress makes my lupus flare. I’ve had a lot of small flares in the last year and a half :frowning:

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There has been a surge in popularity of Hallmark Christmas movies - I’ve read articles attributing it to the general sense of anxiety and depression amongst so many.

I have several friends and colleagues who with me are looking for tangible ways to help make the world a better place. Small steps, but we are trying to brainstorm ways to expand our efforts for bigger impact.

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I’m trying to up my participation in support for the good–whether donations, protest, or service. Also just reminding myself to practice kindness at all times.

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This sounds sort of dumb but one of the things I have started doing this year is watching The Dodo. They have animal videos. Sweet and fun and that make you feel good. I need about 3 dodo videos most days.

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Hey, if you find a really great solution, please let me know! I’ve recently had to go on anti-hypertensives because my blood pressure just won’t come down. I told my doctor that I’m blaming the political climate, and I was only half-joking.