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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU worrying about WW3?

130 replies

mumstheword1x · 08/03/2026 15:16

My husband says I’m putting too much energy into something that may never happen. I’m worried that UK will have a nuclear attack… my husband also says ‘the weren’t even used in the Cold War, they are mainly just a deterrent’

I can’t stop thinking about it, and I’m seeing tabloids like Mirror, Daily Star, The Sun.. report like ‘4 minute warning’ and everything- to the point I’ve had to delete Facebook.

ive even asked ChatGPT who says it’s ’extremely unlikely’ 😆

but I just can’t shake it, I suffer with anxiety that I am being seen for.

OP posts:
Arraminta · 09/03/2026 11:08

XDownwiththissortofthingX · 08/03/2026 18:15

A tin of Condensed Milk inside a football sock would be pretty effective in warding off looters. Unless they've got a hairspray and clipper lighter flamethrower or something, then you might have to break out the extension cord with the sharpened plug on the end.

Show quote history

I want you on my team in the aftermath of a nuclear war!

Arraminta · 09/03/2026 11:02

Toptrumpswinner · 08/03/2026 16:59

I have had a bit of a stockpile for most of my adult life. I was always scared of nuclear war after watching threads !

Pantry is well stocked and items used and replaced in rotation so nothing has ever gone to waste . I have made sure I also have enough so that in the event of anything I can also help neighbours or anyone locally

Sorry, but utter waste of time. If there was a nuclear war, the moment your neighbours realised you had stock piled tins, you wouldn't be given the chance to 'help them'. You would just be swiftly murdered so they could take all your hoardered tins.

Have you actually met the human race?

Ablushingcrow · 09/03/2026 10:48

Back in the 80s before the internet I bought a newspaper everyday. Then it was full of Sadam Hussain and weapons of mass destruction, and threats of nuclear war. In the end I was paralyzed with fear. I was a wreck.

I managed to tell a manager at work how scared I was. She basically said, there is no point worrying about things you have no control of. You could get to 80 years old and you'll wonder why you worried so much.

And she was right. It's now 2026 and I'm now 62. Live your live OP.

WorthyFawn · 09/03/2026 09:38

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Nutmuncher · 09/03/2026 09:32

The Mirror 😁

Dont worry OP, if the nukes start flying we’re all dead. Be more worried about the cost of living that is more likely to explode along with petrol prices.

RelativisticJet · 09/03/2026 09:29

mumstheword1x · 09/03/2026 09:21

Pure example of what I’ve been seeing!! -

Again, why would the Kremlin commit suicide?

Remember, Putin is keen to achieve immortality (ref his discussion with Xi).

EmeraldShamrock000 · 09/03/2026 09:29

I’m worried about it too. I’m worried about young people dying for rich men.
I’m also worried about the price increases on everything as people are already stretched. Money seems to disappear. Maybe I’m selfish worrying that the COL will make many choose between heating and eating.

TwilightAb · 09/03/2026 09:28

Please don't read rags like the sun, daily mail etc... they sensationalise. The daily mail frequently post stuff about how to survive a nuclear attack every few weeks and have done for the past 4 years. You're best to step away from social media and these 'news' sites and go and live your life.

Nowpause · 09/03/2026 09:27

mumstheword1x · 09/03/2026 09:21

Pure example of what I’ve been seeing!! -

The Mirror

Honestly OP, you’re a sucker for punishment

Nowpause · 09/03/2026 09:26

PollyBell · 09/03/2026 09:25

So you are deliberately looking for news on it so you can worry about it sounds healthy

Show quote history

Exactly. Must be frustrating and exhausting for husband

Nowpause · 09/03/2026 09:26

mumstheword1x · 09/03/2026 09:21

Pure example of what I’ve been seeing!! -

Good to see you took advice on board 🙄

PollyBell · 09/03/2026 09:25

mumstheword1x · 09/03/2026 09:21

Pure example of what I’ve been seeing!! -

So you are deliberately looking for news on it so you can worry about it sounds healthy

Original poster
mumstheword1x · 09/03/2026 09:21

Pure example of what I’ve been seeing!! -

AIBU worrying about WW3?
OP posts:
Glitterblue · 09/03/2026 03:52

I’ve been worrying as well after all the headlines I’ve seen but I talked to my husband about it and he said “scaremongering sells newspapers”. He’s right.

PollyBell · 09/03/2026 03:51

How will worrying help? I would find it impossible to live with someone who finds things to worry about deliberately.

MaIeficent · 09/03/2026 03:47

You could always focus your worries into doing something productive, OP. Like building a bunker and getting some firearms training maybe.

Meteorite87 · 08/03/2026 20:29

WeepingAngelInTheTardis · 08/03/2026 15:52

Nobody wants to use nukes otherwise Russia would of dropped them on Ukraine. They know soon as they drop that one nuke, everyone dies & nobody wins.
So stop worrying & stop watching the news.

Mutually assured destruction is apparently a deterrent worldwide.

@mumstheword1x It's plausible that things we rely on will get more expensive (fuel, energy, food). However, I don't think UK residents will be needing to dig out Anderson shelters as per WW2 during this conflict.

That said, your husband could be more considerate of your worries rather than "making you feel crazy".

RelativisticJet · 08/03/2026 20:13

whereisitnow · 08/03/2026 20:02

@RelativisticJet Because it keeps us safe from long term retaliation and incidentally increased costs all over the place right now.

Long-term retaliation from whom?

In this case, inflation is a function of increased defence spending and of stressed supply chains, and of energy disruption, of course.

Whether the UK becomes involved in the ME, or not.

whereisitnow · 08/03/2026 20:02

@RelativisticJet Because it keeps us safe from long term retaliation and incidentally increased costs all over the place right now.

LilyLemonade · 08/03/2026 19:46

I think there is a lot to worry about and your fears are not totally irrational.

Some thoughts and suggestions:

  • switch to less clickbaity news sources, don't follow tabloids and don't get your news from social media
  • if your fear is specifically nuclear war, possibly find out more and prepare accordingly (unless you find this makes you more anxious)
  • generally, find strategies to cope with anxiety if you can (through counselling, books, or just researching strategies online for example - I see you are getting help with your anxiety already)
  • be aware of when you feel less anxious and try to replicate those conditions
  • in every crisis there are sane, level-headed people pushing back, calming the situation, negotiating, mediating, taking action - try to find those stories
  • be a person of positive action yourself - what can you put out into the community to make the world a better place - can you volunteer, be of service to someone, or make each day better for someone else
WhatNextImScared · 08/03/2026 19:36

There are a lot of reasons to be very worried -
my particular fear is around a huge cyber attack that unpicks the food chain (I have zero horticultural or self sufficiency skills) - but nuclear weaponry is a real stretch.

FaceEatingLeopard · 08/03/2026 19:32

Darlinghag · 08/03/2026 16:22

People will be dissmissive and condescending, but it is absolutely normal to have worries about this some of the time.

So, instead of telling you there is nothing to worry about, I would say, focus on what you can do and be considerate about what will impact you and your family.

Bombs dropping on the UK? Not likely. No need to buy your hazmats. Prices rising due to supply constraints? Likely. Consider your purchases?

These are practical things I do for lots of scenarios, like shortage of goods, power and water cuts, ill health, car trouble, financial issues - not warfare, but they make me feel better.

  1. Keep a well stocked pantry, where you can. Only what your family eat, only what you can afford to spend and store. I like to have things like tuna, dried goods, some water etc. I make sure I have dog food too.
  2. Check your first aid kit and medicine cupboard! Update what you need.
  3. Batteries and torches, candles and matches.
  4. Maintain a decent amount of fuel in your car- I try not to let me tank go under half full.
  5. Keep a little cash in the house. We’ve had it recently where card machines go down, keeping £100 in a secure place at home has helped me out (as long as I remember to replace it when I buy the odd takeaway!)
  6. Savings! Most disasters are personal and financial, save what you can.

It’s easy and privileged to tell people to turn off the news and do nothing. I personally believe we should witness other peoples’ suffering, especially if we can do nothing to change it, they deserve that.

All of those things above are things that are useful for so many reasons, and they give you control over your circumstances. I appreciate that they cost, and it might be not be feasible to do all, but do what you can.

It’s done a lot to help me keep on an even keel when the news is terrible and worrisome.

1, 2, 3 and 4 will be about as much use as an ashtray on a motorbike should the worst happen.
5 as well and a lot of people do not have £100 or anything even close to keep stashed in case they need an UberEats whilst the world melts around them.

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 08/03/2026 19:29

XenoBitch · 08/03/2026 18:20

Your main issues is listening to the tabloids. They pump out absolute shite!

Block/ignore them, and your life will be better.

Esp the Daily Mail.

Utter anxiety provoking dross🙄

FindingMeno · 08/03/2026 19:29

Anxiety loves a perch to sit on and trying to tell a person not to worry is like trying to tell a person with depression to snap out of it.
I hear you, op, and anxiety is horrible.
Try to focus on the reassurance your DH is giving you, and go to him as often as you need to be reassured.
Get some help for the anxiety. I am on medication and it has been so helpful- which I wouldn't have believed when I was at the height of anxiety.

Nowpause · 08/03/2026 19:29

BurntBroccoli · 08/03/2026 19:15

I agree with you. Prepping gives you control of things that you actually can control and gives you peace of mind.

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If you don’t suffer from what sounds like a demolishing mental health condition - anxiety