AIBU to feel permanently worried about things most of the time?

So you mask?

Just don't watch it constantly. I try to avoid it as much as possible. Nothing on there ehances my life. And TBH a lot of news is speculation. Still to cold ghard facts without a load of waffle

But I rarely spend time worrying about stuff. Wouldn't do any good and is a waste of energy

I worry constantly but in my case it’s productive and manages the stress associated with my job and personal life
I’m constantly thinking what if x happens (negative) then develop a possible plan A, then move onto if Y happens - plan B etc x

There's no point worrying about things you can't control.

I was like this last summer and it ruined me. In the end I went back to basics. Stopped listening to news, actively focused on positive thoughts, hypnosis, supplements, sleep. CBD turns the chatter down in my head, exercise, make time for myself every day. It’s made a huge difference. I still feel anxious but usually it’s because when I’m feeling totally overwhelmed (like the last week of term when it was coming at us 100mph with school things and work) I find I feel more anxious about the things I can’t control, (AI, wars, reform…. 🤷‍♀️) The key for me is to dedicate some time to ticking off things I can control, which seems to help with the churn of worry about the things I can’t.

I'm permanently worried too. Mostly it's low level, kind of hyper vigilant checking alls well type thing, but it doesn't take much to make me spiral.
It comes from a serise of unexpected and awful life events that hit me when I was not expecting them. I lost trust in life and developed the bizarre idea that worry is an insurance policy. And if it isn't, at least I'll have seen it coming.
This self awareness hasn't cured me. But at least I understand it and can control it by distracting myself, reducing reassurance seeking behaviour and so on.

Some worry is ok, it helps you learn from mistakes be alert to risks/ threats etc. Eg I worried recently I'd done something to upset my boss as she didn'tknow about something. Upshot, if the thing happens again that led to this I've learnt now to tell my boss asap.

It's excessive worry past the point of taking anything useful from the situation that's unhealthy. My goal is not to not worry, but know when to/ be able to stop.

Easier said than done though...

No I don’t really worry about much. And I thank my lucky stars daily that I am not a worrier / highly strung / anxious. My brain just isn’t wired like that, and I am really lucky. Both my SIL and my sister have long standing anxiety disorders and it has a big impact on their lives, it’s the main reason my sister didn’t have children and why my SIL stopped after one.

I’ve got two boys and I don’t really worry about them, even when they are out and about a lot. I have a couple of friends who can’t believe how casual I am about it - but they are big worriers.

No, it’s not normal. I used to be like this and was diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder. Now I take duloxetine and I rarely worry about anything tbh.

Someone hasn’t bothered to read the thread

It’s a bit depressing that so many posters have jumped straight to medication as a solution. Of course it may be appropriate and helpful but nothing the OP has said has really indicated that this should be the first step.

If you want to change your thought patterns it takes a lot of work and effort and a realistic idea of how much you can truly change.

By all means consult your GP but surely be open to other options too.

What do you worry about, OP?

My other half is always worrying, he lunges from one perceived crisis to another. He worries about things that haven't even happened or likely to happen too, whereas I worry about things that have actually happened then get on with sorting it.

Worrying is no fun. Saps you of energy, stops you doing things you should actually be doing and it's incredibly hard to live with someone like that. I would perhaps look into doing some CBT, pretty much designed for this sort of thing and it can really help. Go talk to your doc.

Yeah I worry a lot. It’s got better as I’ve got older, because I’ve developed a few strategies:

1. JFDI. It’s never as bad as you think it might be, and having a mega To Do list adds to my stress, so I try to rattle through the things I am likely to worry about
2. Dont listen to my brain before I’ve had a shower. Nothing you think at 2am is sensible.
3. Lots of exercise. Even just walking wherever and whenever I can. It’s really really helped.

So if you refer to your mother as being highly
strung and you being very aware of it as a
child - make the change with your own children so they don’t see their mum in a permanent state of anxiety

I think if you can objectively see that you are being over anxious you are in a much better position than some who think its normal and justified. Im very much in the camp where I guard, possibly hoard my bucket of fucks very carefully. I rarely give them out and almost never on things I have no control over. I just refuse to do it. I work full time, raising two ND teens alone, I have plenty to keep me occupied.

it’s absolutely not normal, I was like that and my GP prescribed me an SSRI which has turned my life around for the good

No it’s not normal
how can you be present and in the moment with your kids and enjoy life if you’re already distracted by worry

Hi OP, I don't think it's normal to feel permanently worried and I think a visit to your GP might be in order.