Stupid reasons for anxiety.

[GreenHairDontCare]

I have many.

Today, Ds (5) wanted to walk the 'long way' home from school. This involves walking across a very high bridge, with a 40mph road one side and a five foot fence before a massive massive drop.

We've walked it before (it's literally 50 yards, not even, along this bit) and every single time I feel sick and get the fanny grips. I grab on to his hand crazily tight and have to concentrate on my breathing until we're across.

I know logically it's completely safe, but my brain doesn't do logic when it's anxious.

I also get this when I go out for my last ciggy of the night. We live semi rurally and it is dark dark dark, even with the kitchen light left on. It's the quickest fag I ever smoke. God knows what I think is going to get me in my enclosed garden.

Tell me your irrational anxieties to make me feel better, please.

that song 'vienna' by Ultravox. don't know why but it makes me panic and I have to turn it off/get away!

Other people

I get really anxious when I'm going to bed, I have no idea why as it is my favourite time of the day lol! My stomach is always in knots, weird!

Also when having to take/make any phone calls non work related. I think this is quite common but as my job is answering phones all day you'd think I'd get used to it by now

When a private number rings my phone it gives me the fear

I get anxious if i get too hot especially in public, i have to get myself cooled down or i go into panic mode..

I can't do bridges either (amongst lots of other things) - even not very high ones. Scare the crap out of me.

Having to make or receive a phone call. Eurgh.

Having to ring utilities providers
Receiving a non recognised number phone call

Going into work. Every single day. And I've worked there over 10 years

OP you are soooo NBU about not wanting to walk over that bridge, my DDs would just have to forget about it as mummy doesn't do heights! On another note, fanny grips made me because I know exactly what you're on about!

School run. And no idea why as I have lots of friends/acquaintances. Knots in tummy twice a day! And I get anxious that if someone is even a little 'off' its because they don't like me. Ridiculous at age 40!!

My dh/dcs leaving the house without me. They might die and it will be my fault.
A change in routine.
Choosing food in the supermarket.
Leaving the dog on his own.
Cooking them something different as I'm a vegetarian. I might poison them.
When I look at it like this, it really is everything. It's less overwhelming than last year.

I've got loads of things that set off the anxiety that make me go once I've got them over and done with. Booking appointments. I'm a turn up whenever type of person. I suppose the thought of possibly being late brings on the fear. Taking my children swimming. Once we're at the pool, I'm fine, and DH is there too so I've no idea why I get all worked up before we go.

Cake YY I forgot the school run! For me it's the fear that my child will run ahead, run on the road and be hit by a car - even though she's good at stopping at the road.

I'm almost ashamed to admit this even anonymously but I get really anxious about trick or treaters at Halloween- to the point where I will go to any lengths to avoid being in the house on the 31st (last year was an impromptu trip away). I think about it too much in the run up and get really anxious even though we mainly tend to get nice kids with parents round ours. Maybe it's something to do with being bothered in your own home. I don't know but I find Halloween really unsettling in general. Hate it.

Making a phone call.
Going to the drs to order a new prescription
Going to collect said prescription from the pharmacy
Asking for help in a shop

I don't really get the physical signs of anxiety such as fast breathing or elevated heart rate. Just that awful feeling of dread inside.

I'm with you on halloween. I don't do masks AT ALL, even on tinies.

If dh is out I turn all the lights off and pretend we're not in. My kids are used to us not doing Halloween.

I get very anxious whenever I go to the doctors,even for something very minor. Also opticians appointments or anything to do with health. Also get anxious when taking my DD to such appointments.

Seeing a brown envelope has been posted through my door.
Nothing good is ever inside a brown envelope.

I get anxious if DS1 runs ahead of me (he's 6). I worry he'll run into a road, or someone will take him, or he'll fall and bang his head. I'm getting slightly less anxious as he gets older but not much.

MrsBeverlyGoldberg (fab show btw!) I get anxious when DH and DSs go anywhere without me, in case something happens to them and it's my fault for not going with them. It's exhausting.

Getting the car out of the underground parking garage. The slope that leads up to the road is fairly steep and when I have to stop at the top to give way to cars on the road I'm always terrified of the hill start that I have to do when the way is clear. I'm learning to drive and know that nothing really bad can happen but, still, I hate it.

Travelling in a taxi on my own and ordering a takeaway over the phone.

Checkouts. Specifically - worrying about what the assistant makes of my packing / if I'm being too slow / what if I don't get everything packed by the time I need to pay / will everything fit etc / now where are my car keys...

Any live performance anywhere near me. I was invited to a poetry night tonight and broke out in cold sweat at the invite.

Making phone calls. I had to make a dentist appointment yesterday and it took me an hour to make the call. I had to write down what I was going to say. I nearly got my mum to ring up for me.