silentfox
07-01-2011, 06:58 PM
Hello everyone! Anxiety issues run in my family - I thought I had escaped them, but I've noticed that I become more anxious as I get older. My grandmother gets up 5-6 times a night to make sure that everything is unplugged, the stove is off, the doors are locked, and everyone in the house is still breathing. My mom had anxiety problems to the point that she was awful to be around when I was a child. On most days I'm fairly laid back, but only because I ignore stressors and pretend they aren't there until they FORCE me to pay attention. Probably not the best way to handle it. For example, I am about to take a trip to spend time with some friends from college. It's going to be so much fun, and I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone for the first time in ten years. But now that I'm literally packing the car to leave, it hit me like a ton of bricks. What if the car breaks down? What if I get into an accident? My husband is in Afghanistan - what will happen to the kids if I get hurt? What if THEY get hurt? What if my dog gets bitten by a snake while I'm gone? I have someone coming over to take care of the dog, but if it happens when she's not here, no one will be able to take the poor dog to the vet. Seriously, it's these irrational things that are causing me to freak out over this trip. Of course any of these things COULD happen. But I have no reason to believe they WILL - other than the fact that they keep running through my head. It has been suggested that I try drugs to ease the tension (by a counselor, but not by medical personnel who can actually prescribe it). But if I can help it, I would prefer not to go that route. Any suggestions for making an eight hour trip a little less scary?