Yes I have been worrying about the same, mainly because I don't trust our government to be honest about anything, and I would like to be told the truth so i know what to expect, not be thrown off guard. However, worrying about these things isn't going to change anything. I can only pray that our government will be honest with us about what is going on, and trust in my faith to get me through. Do you have a Therapist that you can talk about this to? Even your doctor if you don't have a Therapist.? Try not to let these things cause you more anxiety if you can help it. Life is hard enough. Hugs GB

O, no therapist at the moment. I feel the same about our "government". Another person was just dxd with Ebola. It is a nurse who cared for Duncan in Texas. I am really afraid that more terrorism is coming to the US AND that Ebola is going to start being easier to catch than what they are saying. I try to think good thoughts and pray, but I am still terrified. :(

TC, the best thing you can do is continue to pray. What state do you live in? I live in California but in a very funky small town that is known for the Salmon and fishing. I really want to help you overcome this fear you have. Try to think that 99% of what we worry about, never comes to fruition. And worrying about something that hasn't happened yet, will only make you get sick from other illness's. Message me any time if you want to talk. Hugs GB

What helps me not obsess about either of these issues is just educating myself. In researching things that are likely to be a problem, I should be far more worried about the flu and having a car accident than ebola or ISIS.

Some facts that may help - ebola is spreading quickly in Africa because there is so much misinformation. Rumors are rampant about how it's spread and there is judgment of people who are sick so people try to hide their illness. Plus they have rituals they refuse to give up that increase the risk of infection. There is a lot of mistrust so they often won't seek help.

Second, there are VERY few medical facilities in Africa. And even in the medical facilities, few have running water or disinfectant or hazmat suits or other supplies.

In Europe, Australia, the US and most of the rest of the world, when someone who has been to Africa feels ill, they are FAR more likely to seek help. Then they are properly cared for but also isolated so they don't infect others. Plus the people they've been in close contact with are quarantined. And 90% of the time, it's not ebola but flu or a bad cold or a stomach bug.

Developed countries also have - not only running water and all the equipment needed to deal with contagious illnesses - but also a lot of experimental treatments to try out.

Plus, we understand when an illness is treated early on, we have a better chance of recovering completely. So we seek help early on. We have a lot of avenues for communication to reach everyone - TV, radio, cell phones, Emergency Broadcast System, etc. In Africa they don't have that. And communication is crucial in a health situation.

And while this outbreak of ebola is infecting more people, it is not as virulent or nasty as the outbreak in 2004. And it is less likely to kill people on the extreme off chance that they get it. It is less contagious than mumps, measles or even the flu.

There is always violence in the world but again, most places are safe. Some areas are more prone to violence than others and generally we hear about them and can avoid them.

It is wise to question authority, but also wise to realize that there are experts in numerous fields from many different countries looking at both of these situations to create the best solutions. We don't know what they are coming up with. And while we hear about all the screw ups made by people, we rarely hear about the billions of correct decisions they make that keep people safe. It's not news to talk about how brilliant someone is. It IS news to talk about idiots in power. And that news is often skewed to make things look much worse than they are.

When you look at things logically, it can help disarm some of the anxiety. The randomness can make you feel anxious but I would echo gramybear - having a faith can help a lot. Community is also really helpful. And having work or hobbies that keep you busy may also help.

There is far more good in the world than bad but good rarely makes the news!

Everyone has commented on ISI and Ebola very well. If one looks at the situation in Syria and Iraq logically, I am not at all surprised. When we pulled out of Iraq without leaving much of a footprint behind and Nouri Al Maliki took over (a stooge for Obama and the democrats), we wound up setting up fertile ground for these Islamist extremists to attack. (Extremists whether they are Islamists, Catholics , Jewish, Hindus is dangerous) I say that because when we fought the Germans, Japanese and the rest of the Axis forces in 1941, North Korea in 1952 and Vietnam in 1962, we were fighting governments and nations that had designs for world domination, more from a governmental point of view...not a theological point of view. Religious extremists try to force their views down every one else's throats. This is especially dangerous because one is fighting an IDEA and a theology that is anti-human as its' basic tenet of belief. They are human...everyone else is garbage.. Governments like the Nazis and the Communists wanted to force a form of government down every one's throats, wanted the state to be served. Religious extremist want to not only do what the Nazis and Communists tried to do...but also want to change people's faith into their twisted views based on a man that had multiple wives, killed everyone who dared disagree with them and the rule of law and human decency means NOTHING. The Nazis and Communists were evil, but the biggest mistake they made was the leader principle. They seemed to have felt that once they took everyone and every country over, all would be hunky dory. Nazism and Communism all have their roots with Karl Marx. The GOVERNMENT needs to be changed...the religious extremists want both the government changed but their faith to be the ONLY faith. It seems to me that the young kids who are trying to join ISIS have no idea how good they have it here and are spoiled rotten little brats who should have been disciplined by Mommy and Daddy when they were little.

Worrying about all of this like Gramybear said isn't going to change anything. One must have faith that ultimately, the universe will work out just as it should. Please try not to fret so and trust that our Lord (I am a Catholic) and Our Lady will protect us.

i am so glad i decided to read this thread!!
the advice here made me feel so much better!
i agree with all of it
and thank you TC for starting
this ball rolling!

I feel less anxiety when I have a plan. I keep a small bottle of hand sanitizer and try to keep my hands off my face. It can be hard because I have allergies. I like the fact that the stores with baskets usually have the sanitizing wipes. But most of all I feel better because I have learned more often than not to give it to God. I hope I have been of some help. (((HUGS)))

I thank all of your responses and you have made valid points. But I just can't seem to stop the tape of fear from playing over and over in my mind. It is so hard.

Yes. I am worried about Ebola too. It's the new AIDS of the 21st Century or maybe worse.

What else can we do though? I hope they find a cure or even better preventative medicine, vaccine etc fast before we're all wiped out!

I wanted to add to your concerns and agree with Reed, that it's important to stay educated, and to take precautions when you can. Some of the dirtiest places are never where we expect. One thing to know that is important is that we can overuse those wipes as we actually become immune to them. When going to the grocery store, wipe down more than just the handle but the little plastic seats that we put our groceries on. Babies sit on that and I won't say any more than that. Also, if you are that afraid, there is nothing wrong with wearing a mask, just like they do in China. Whatever makes you feel safer, and less anxious. If people don't understand and think you are paranoid, well, that is their problem and not yours. . Keep posting whenever your concerns and fear builds up too much. We are hear to support you. Hugs GB

Hey TC, you're not alone. I had to leave work early today because I had multiple panic attacks on the job. I obsessively sneak news briefs on my iphone when no one is watching, and the headlines kill my nerves. The speculation about all of this from our media is enough to make me want to die, I don't want to feel this terrified, I also don't like seeing others at work skip about with a flippant attitude like "well if its going to get us, its going to get us."

I also don't trust what were being told, and we are all watching the numbers increase over in West Africa. Facebook is bragging jokes about Zombie Apocalypse and astrologers are talking about predictions .... this is all WAY too much for my F*()'n brain, and I am trying to control the events from my own mind - I can't. Its a surrender .... but I can't and so I've been spinning out of control.

FEAR - is used to control the masses, bottom line, I don't know that the WHO or the CDC have in store, and I am willing to bet that in some sense, they are sincerely trying to end this, but for a person who's feeling like the doom clouds of death have just entered American skies - I am still feeling alone and worried.

I woke up thinking that there was an earthquake taking place ... it turns out it was my own pounding heart going at a rapid rate from a full fledged panic attack in my sleep. Queue in fearful thoughts "omg I have the fever" ... no I didn't and no I don't .My fear is manifesting, all of our fears are manifesting, I'm just as ... messed up about this as everyone is. Its being fed to us by the hour from world and local news. Its making me sick.

I am fearful of both, it is just adding to my anxiety,about things in my life. The attitude "if it is going to get me, its going to get me" makes me upset too. Not sure why?

Oh my gosh! Just reading headlines? No wonder you're a wreck!

Headlines are meant to grab people's attention and be dramatic.
In fact, there is a "headline analyzer" used to determine what will have the most impact.

So when it says, "Is it the end of the world?" it's to get you to read the article which most often turns out to be something akin there not being a 4th Ironman movie or something.

When they say, "Ebola in Boston" it turns out to be someone in Boston who went to the ER with the flu but you're not going to read an article that says, "Boston man goes to ER with the flu."

Here's another I just saw - "US Airways Apologizes to Soldier" which sounds like something awful, huh? Well, the air steward didn't want to hang the guy's uniform up in the first class closet. But if the headline was, "No room in the 1st class closet for a uniform" you're not going to open the article.

One of my favorites is when they say "Same ingredient in poison is is nearly everything you eat" and you read the article and it's water or coconut oil or something stupid.

Skip the headlines. They are almost always completely sensationalistic and misleading.

My anxiety and fear gets worse every time it hear that another nurse gas contracted the virus. I guess part of my fear is that our government is shady. And the CDC? Well that is a joke as we are all learning. I am trying to find a way to relax, but it is like the fear keeps crashing in on me like ocean waves. Oh, and yeah....I never put my food in that part of the cart.....ewwwww

I am also worried and scared about our future. We seem powerless at this point so I am with Iamstuckanddown. We need to pray and trust that we will be ok in the end.