"Fear does not exist to make us afraid. It exists to warn us of danger." ~Zen proverb
When my hyper-vigilance is going, I am afraid of just about everything, whether it is real, or not. Fears of impending doom are in every loop of my thoughts. If IT doesn't bite me in the ass today, it'll get me tomorrow.

It isn't much of a life at all when I try it. Kinda wish I could kick the habit, but that hasn't worked so far. Well. . . I have moments when my fears and anxieties are not running my life. Those moments seem to be getting longer. Works in progress?

Not being able to be financially independent. I am so stressed out by this.

I am afrAid all of the time, too. Afraid of living, working, dying...it gets worse in the evenings. I understand these feelings so well.

I am also afraid of the intense pressures that society puts on certain people. I think I am troubled by this because I have worked in the public for so long. I have seen a lot over the years and I am afraid of the general mean-spiritedness that I see out there.

So for everyone here tonight feeling a bit anxious, remember that there are kind and caring people out there and positive lights are still to be found.

I think there is also fear in our fears of being judged for having a mental health condition. And I think it gets amplified when we feel we don't have adequate support around us.

Kisses i would recommend the book 'feel the fear and do it anyway' it is an old one but still a good one. i too am afraid of so many things but pdoc is great to call when things get out of hand. he generally talks me down. xanax helps big time too. you are a strong, capable person and you will get through this. hugs

I fear losing my mind. Honestly. I do fear just totally becoming irrational...and breaking. I have come close in the past...but I always seem to bounce back.

Irish I own and have read that book. I guess it's time to break it out again

I also fear being alone.

Being alone has always been a fear of mine. It's probably the biggest fear.

I love the title Irish... "Feel the fear and do it anyway"... I tend to be a worrier at times as well.... In a big part because of things I have experienced... I find though these are the times I really need to reign myself in and think about the here and now... What can I do right now... this moment to make whatever it is better and take the baby steps and it does help a lot... Big hugs....xo

I fear having to interact with people, I don't do it well at all. I also fear becoming homeless again because I have experienced how horrific it is. As long as I keep getting a steady income and can hide inside my home, going out only to buy food or see the pdoc, I should be ok.

heretic55, I also have a bit of a hard time interacting with people..however in social settings, and in cases work settings.... sorry you have this fear.. :-(

Why are we all so afraid?

I really think self esteem is poor for some people who get a mental health diagnosis, and then we grow afraid that we are never going to fit in and that we will always fail. I'm trying really hard to overcome all this.

Anyone else relate to that?

My fear is losing my mind like I did a few years ago.. Turns out it was a very Manic couple of months but I dont ever want to be in that situation again. The whole experience and the fallout from it all was horrible.