To feel completely scared at my age??!

[messyjessie]

I hate being alone.

I hate the dark. I even hate being in this house alone during the day!!

Sometimes the dog randomly barks and I don't think 'it's the wind', I go straight to 'it's a zombie / ghost / mass murderer / knife wielding psychopath'

I leave the washing up till DH comes home so I don't have to stand with the idea of someone looking through the window at me from the dark! (DH broke the blind!)

And I'm almost 30!

Anyone else??

If you watch shit loads of horror films you will desensitise yourself and be afraid no more.

Perhaps.

I think watching lots of horror films would probably make it worse!

I feel the same!

If DH is out I absolutely hate letting the dog into the garden, or going upstairs... Or to the garage. I get it.

YANBU

No, don't watch horror films!

shudders

Have you tried leaving the radio on?

Do karate.

YANBU but hang another blind and pull yourself together!

Honest, I'm not being harsh...everyone feels this way from time to time, but do you think you are perhaps getting a bit obsessive about it and maybe a chat with your GP?

The best thing, if it's too quiet and spooky, is what I'd call the Hardcore Cure: get an apocalyptically loud stereo and play any sort of hardcore music - punk, house, metal till you think your ears are going to bleed and that will chase away any bad feelings!

I agree with Nagoo

I'm the opposite, I'd think it was the wind and not realise I was being burgled until I bumped into them lol

If I am watching something creepy I sometimes leave the hall light on until I go to bed, but that is very rarely

What if you turn out all the lights and walk around the house, prove to yourself that it isn't at all scary

I'm the same.

I have been doing martial arts for the last couple of years. In some ways, it's made me braver in others it's just helped highlight whole new ways that I'm at risk

No solutions I'm afraid. I feel very silly in the morning, but doesn't make it any less real at night.

Mandy it's not an issue for my GP! I'm just a big wimp ;)

I joked about it with a friend today and she said she often felt the same, I was just wondering if we were alone!

Are you me?

I am exactly the same and I'm the same age. I keep thinking one day I'll wake up and be a real grown up

Rubberduck thanks for the honesty!

Even when I was pg I'd dread getting up (ten times!) in the night, and walking downstairs to the bathroom. (old house!)

Yes, I'm you! Lol

I'm right there with you but in my case I watch/read to many crime horror based stories and have a totally over active imagination so try and not let it rule me.

If I feel myself being paranoid then I just stop and say out loud 'don't be such an idiot'. Unfortunately half the time I also expect some one to reply to me, so i'm probably not all there

Don't watch horror movies, do leave the light on, don't worry about being afraid...just get on MN and share with like-minded folk!

Who said to leave the radio on? No, no, no! You can't hear them coming if the radio is on....

Do you have neighbours you could chat to/rely upon? you may feel confident knowing there is a friendly face next door.....

Actually, I joke about it but I've often discussed this with another female friend of mine who is also into martial arts. You become FAR more aware of every situation that you're in - walk to Tesco and you're planning in your head "if that guy walking towards me attacks then I could do this this and THIS". Partially empowering, partially makes you see everything as a threat. It's not a cure for crippling fear, really.

Plus when you start out and are sparring against bigger guys who are more experienced - THAT'S when reality hits that if someone really wants to hurt you, you're in the shit.

On the flip side, my self-esteem and confidence has greatly increased in the last 2 years and I'm doing things now that I'd never believe myself capable of before.

Double-edged sword, I guess :)

I found karate really helped me. I felt fitter, stronger and well practiced. It did make feel less afraid when on my own at night.

'You can't hear them coming if the radio is on....' LOL

I used to do body combat and be quite good at it so I always very confident that I'd be able to defend myself if necessary. Probably a load of rubbish mind you!

Mare has a point, I have fabulous neighbours and know that I could go to any of them in an emergency and be helped

From a ghost? Lol

I'm the same... Or worse!

I get DD, the dog and wine/snacks/milk and shut us in the living room whenever we're home alone. There's no lock, but just the shut door keeps the monsters at bay :)

Its one of the things I would most want to change about myself.

Oh don't get me wrong, I'm fitter and stronger than I ever was and I'm working on technique. I'm petite and can use that as a weapon (appearances can be deceiving after all). I know from stress training that it's the expectation of a problem that's worst for me, once IN the situation I react calmly and well.

However, I know all to well that martial arts encourage the illusion that just learning it makes you an automatic winner. There is a huge danger in being overconfident and getting yourself into very dangerous situations as a result. I'm prepared to admit that I veer too far towards the other extreme though

I can lock all the doors in my house except two bedrooms and one of them is DD's room. So I'll be safely behind a locked door while she fends for herself

I'm all confused...doesn't take much.
Messyjessy, are you the OP?