I think you just accept the What Ifs. Tell yourself you can handle the
worst if it happens. But that it's unlikely to happen. It takes time and
constant practice to being able to get to that point. Do you have someone you trust to go out with? If not, start small. Go to the library and walk around, the drugstore, etc. My therapist told me to look at one of two people and say Hi.
when I was out. But that was extremely hard to do. Maybe group counceling?
I was terrified at first but gradually became more comfortable and occasionally
started to say something. It's hard work but worth it. How old are you?

maybe think about beauty and little things as you achieve them?

Also have you ever thought about going to a Buddhist center to learn to meditate?
The shrines where you meditate are super peaceful and people don't interact except to meditate together. Meditation can be a really calming and health giving thing. You can learn to chant for what you want and I have heard it really helps most. It helped me.. It's a good memory for me. The people tend to be really calm and nice.

Also yoga can also be really helpful. The people and teachers there are even more supportive and nurturing. Your practice there helps you calm yourself and get in touch with your body and energy. I have been going for a while now - and the people there and I greet each other now - and it's really nice. The exercise also has me not so triggered and I've become more active.. Good wishes to you...peace and namaste!!

I hope you can learn to live in the moment some.

I got past my own catastrophic What If's by declaring I.F. to be an acronym for Idiot Factor. I am not calling myself an idiot. "If" is entirely to important a word in my design work to kick the if habit entirely, but. . . My clients all adore my skills at getting the idiot factor out of their designs. "Get the I.F. out of it," for short.

Butttttttttttaaaaaaaaaaaa. . . I'm crazier than most. What works for me doesn't work for most. Just sharing. . .

Gentle support while you find what works for you, Silver. You are not alone. It remains as easy as falling off a log for me to what if myself my way to some terrifying nightmares.

The what if’s are driving me crazy as well. This morning I woke up with such a bad panic attack that I was on the floor crying, couldn’t breath, my hands and jaw were locking up and moving in all different directions.

Once one what if is confirmed to not be true I move on to even more worse case scenarios and it’s a constant battle and never stops.

Thank you all for your support and insight.
i so appreciate it.

sliddz,i'm sorry you can relate and that you had such a terrible panic attack.

Why don't you answer the what if questions with "so what?" You can handle the worst, your body makes sure of it...you stop breathing (impossible BTW) and your body kicks in to auto mode and you breathe whether you want to or not....that's our involuntary muscles! What if you die? (One of those thoughts I have!) I say cool....I won't know it when it happens! But the bottom line is to challenge and accept these thought patterns as normal.

There's a book I read recently that has been helpful for me in assuaging anxiety and weird thoughts. And not many "method" books have been helpful for me. Actually, I don't read many books like this. Anyway....It's called DARE: The New Way to End Anxiety and Stop Panic Attacks Fast. Check out online what people think of it.

121` I know how you feel. Recently I have had a person reach out to me tells me all a person needs to trust and feel awesome. But I can't help but feel as thought its too good to be true. right but speaking to over a dzen ppl all part of the military and have simlar stories. and ppl i do trust have family in military that say yes that can happen yet someone else who says wait you have this right blah blah Im so confuesed and my heart is so broken I don't know if I can handle the truh or reality I like the fantasy world too much. So I get where you are coming from. Prayers my luv I am praying for you good luck in ya jurnery I hope it works out for thre best
Huggsss,
Katy

Silver, thank you SO much for sharing. I read your post and said "Praise the Lord I am not the only person out there who feel this way!"

I wish I had advice, but I am working on all these things myself. The what ifs drive me crazy. The worry is constant. On top of all of that I feel guilt and shame that I am not able to be completely present with my family. Im too busy worrying. So, feel some comfort in knowing you are not alone!

Been battling anxiety for months and months. A real journey in fear. But I have found that anxiety will not kill you. It is tough to face each fear. Over and over again. It hits me in the morning also. But I have been trying to recover my interests. It can get better. Believe me. It can be overcome.

hang in there and take comfort that there are many who suffer like you and many more here to support you.