What keeps you up at night?

[wednes]

From Dictionary.com:

FEAR [feer]
–noun
1. a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid.
2. a specific instance of or propensity for such a feeling: an abnormal fear of heights.

ANXIETY [ang-zahy-i-tee]
–noun, plural -ties.
1. distress or uneasiness of mind caused by fear of danger or misfortune:
2. earnest but tense desire; eagerness

WORRY [wur-ee, wuhr-ee]
–verb (used without object)
1. to torment oneself with or suffer from disturbing thoughts; fret.


I've been thinking a lot about worry and axiety lately, and how much of my anxiety stems from fears that border on totally irrational. Of course, the internet doesn't help. I worry that something bad will happen to H. I worry that I'll never find a job and be penniless and reliant forever. I'm anxious that I'll never be published or picked up by an agent, and that all my efforts will be for nothing. I worry that I'll never actually have my life or priorities in order. I bet I'm not alone in this, so I'll ask.

[Poll #883691]

Comments

[lirrin.livejournal.com]

Didn't like all your choices. :) Though I'm not completely free from worry, anxiety or fear, I certainly don't experience all on a regular basis. Worry would be my top one, followed by anxiety, then the rare fear.

And I should probably add that if I *am* facing irrational fears, I can usually talk myself out of it by thinking logically and statistically. Like, "Seriously, the chances of X may be non-zero, but they're hella remote."

And though I'm not an anxious person by nature, I can get completely wound up over irrational things. Ask me about my honeymoon sometime, and the part between getting off the plane and getting to the hotel. ;-)

[wednes.livejournal.com]

LOL Yeah, it's not really a poll for sane people. ;-]

I'm intrigued by the honeymoon story though...

[thorswitch.livejournal.com]

When I forget to take my anti-depressants, I can get REALLY irrational in my fears and anxieties. A few months ago, for some reason I got sloppy and stopped taking my meds (not intentionally, I just kept forgetting I needed to) I was ok for a couple weeks, and then I started getting weird about things - to the point where, when I had a few moments of clarity about those particular issues (and realized what the problem was), I had to tell my husband not to let me make any decisions or push him into doing anything until I'd been back on my meds for at least 2 weeks and knew I was being rational again. And it was absolutely necessary, or I would have done at least one thing I would have regretted for a VERY long time - if not forever (no, not suicide or self-injurious, just VERY VERY stupid)

My husband is probably one of the main ways I deal with fear, anxiety and worries. He KNOWS I have problems in those areas, so I try to make sure to listen to him when he tells me I'm being irrational (but, unfortunately, I can also get pissy with him if he thinks I'm being irrational and I know I'm not - makes it a bit awkward at times). But I can talk to him about the things I'm afraid of or worried about, and he can help me start looking at things more rationally again.

The other thing I do is try to just distract myself so I can't focus on whatever is worrying me or whatever it is I'm afraid of. My games are good for that, as are my books and sometimes music - especially if I play it loud enough that I really can't hear myself think over it.

[wednes.livejournal.com]

It's amazing to me how much having that one other person around for perspective can help. H makes a profound difference in my quality of life in that way. I mean, not only is it impressive how much he cares, but he has this unswerving morality and kindness that makes him totally patient and helpful when dealing with what I like to call "my bullshit." So he's great for perspective.

You sound like you know yourself pretty well, which also helps, I'm sure. Yeah, being told you're being irrational is kind of like being told to calm down. Even if it's true, it's going to make you all the more irritated.

My meds to make me less anxious, and I have all kinds of safeguards in place to make sure I don't forget to take them. Of course, I tend to think I'm cured and don't need them--then I get resentful that the doctors are bossing me around and THEN I stop taking them on purpose. And you know what? I've never, EVER had good results doing that.

[kissdbyagnome.livejournal.com]

You and H remind me of these new people i've met. She is the director of the one act plays i'm in, he is her husband and is an amazing Opera singer (and has a few roles in the plays im in.) Anywho, she's got mental issues and seems to be on the rollar coaster you are on. He is her stable force and i've heard him say I know you are crazy but I still love you (they were joking but i'm pretty sure theres some truth to it haha.) I'm pretty sure he talks her down off the edge and it works for them. They both are great people...eccentric...but great.

[wednes.livejournal.com]

Cooool.