Unexplained visions that something bad is going to happen. Quite scared.

[KirstyPeach91]

I have been having this problem since I was a child really, I'd see or hear an ambulance or fire engine and phone my mam and other family members to see if they were OK. Those sorts of things. But the past few months I've had awful visions, day dreams in a way - I lie in bed at night and as I am drifting off I am startled awake imagining my daughter going to the toilet and stumbling down the stairs. Or my son slipping whilst getting out of the shower and breaking an ankle.
I have these thoughts at random times of the day, I'll be at work and my phone will ring and the first thing that comes to my head is my partner or one of the kids has been hurt. I also imagine things happening to myself, being attacked or a bus careering onto the pavement.
It's becoming quite a scary thing and feel it is happening more and more.
I keep thinking I'm being stupid but these visions really have me shaken up and frightened. I'm becoming a wrap your kids in cotton wool mother and feel it's not fair.
I won't even let my kids come down stairs together incase they both trip or get washed/brush their teeth at the same time as I'm fearful they'll slip and one may crush the other.
What is wrong with me?!
Please any advice before I speak to a Dr and they think I've gone crazy!

That's a massive help as it actually shows I have more than one or two symptoms which is why I've kind of felt like I wouldn't be taken seriously.
It's even got as far as one of the kids goes to the toilet I dart out of bed and put on the passage light in case they trip down the stairs it's intrusive to them and makes me feel so silly. Something a few years ago I'd of said was an act and that makes me feel so ashamed x

No need to be ashamed lovely. It's an illness, like any other. Just a chemical,imbalance. It will get better, honestly.

You are so reassuring it's actually quite amazing speaking to others can have such a positive impact on the way I feel about it in such little time! Xx

I do things like that too, last night I got v worried that DC might unlock and fall out of the windows, and went and checked them! it's just part of the illness.

Actually, I notice that quite a lot of people have anxiety - who might not recognise it, or might just have it over specific things, and do some odd things!

Today my eldest DC is travelling with school on a minibus on a motorway for an hour each way for a sport thing, am v v stressed about that!

They're intrusive thoughts, not visions - have any of your 'visions' ever come true? They're caused by anxiety.

CBT can help. So can mindfulness. Have a look at www.anxietyuk.org.uk/ for some help.

My son slipped about 3 steps last week. On top of these thoughts I panicked and my heart was racing for about 20 mins despite him being completely fine. He didn't hurt himself or anything but it's made me so much worse. I feel ridiculous because I get 'calm down' 'you're over reacting' and it makes me think I'm being stupid but I can't stop or help the thoughts x

The fact my children think rationally and I'm hearing a 7 and 11 year old telling me to 'chill out' is something I'd usually tell them off for or laugh at and now I can't because I think they're so right!!
We are going on holiday in August and unlike previous holidays I've now got these awful thoughts in my head even considered cancellation because I fear they'll fall in the pool and drown or slip and split their head, even worried about the slides at the water park incase it goes wrong. It's just taking over day to day tasks x

Is there something that's happened in your life to cause this? Maybe you might not be in a good place at the moment for these thoughts to hapen? Maybe the way to stop is to fix the cause rather than trying to fix the thoughts themselves. Just a thought, but that's just my thoughts on it realy. I totaly understand as it affects me so much to. I'm known as a wory socks! Mine are mainly about my parents, have terible visions of things happening to them, especialy in winter and bad weather and that. I never thought of geting help at all, but to never have these thoughts again would be great becuase it feels like the bad things are actually happening as I think them and it upsets me so much. Hope we get over them. X

I hope you do manage to overcome them NeedChange..
On that topic - no, my life is actually in a pretty good place. I still have the odd wobble and of course life isn't perfect - who's is.. I see the same struggles that other families do but aside from that we've got a pretty happy life. Things to look forward to, good bonds and loving family so I can't understand what's causing the thoughts to occur x

Ah, but by August, things will likely seem a lot better, because you're getting help. GPs can even prescribe online CBT these days.

Try not to focus on what each individual worry is about. They all come under the category of worry, and are normally based on our worst fears e.g. Our kids getting hurt.

Might it help until Friday, every time a thought pops into your head, to not try and stop thinking the thoughts, and instead flick an elastic band on your wrist (it tricks the brain into not letting the thoughts become epic disaster scenarios in your head, by diverting neural pathways ).

Could you try it? That pinging action can be you acting on your thoughts, instead of rushing to save the kids. Every time you have a thought that worries you?

Brain chemicals going out out alignment, and hormones too can cause anxiety. The answer may not be in your life, but in your body, if you see what I mean.

I know the elastic band thing sounds wanky, but it has been shown to work xx

I will certainly give it a try PenelopeNitStop. Anything to focus my mind on something else til I get the help I need will be worth a shot. I've tried a few things - reading.. Or writing.. Even just busying myself with cleaning etc and it has helped somewhat in the past so it's definitely a possibility x

You're already one step ahead of this, because you're getting help and have so much insight into your anxiety. You will be fine

I suppose that's one area where my obsessive compulsive nature becomes a good thing. I tend to research and review everything, write things down and rewrite everything til I can make some sense of it.. It's been known to be a hindrance but also sometimes a great help x

Same here. I also have a brain that feels like it's trying to eat itself

I suppose it's a blessing and a curse
Hopefully the fact I've got an active brain will help me in the long run!

Hi Op

Go to the Dr and ask for CBT, this will help a lot. I have experienced exactly what you describe, I call them daymares. Its anxiety and you can get it under control. Make the appointment today. Take care

I think this anxious thinking is called the "digger method"? You think of something, your anxiety triggers then you dig a bit deeper and the initial thought gets bigger and more drastic, etc etc until you get to imagining the worst...

I have it on a sheet somewhere from counselling I attended a while back.

CBT will definitely help this OP X

Well hopefully when I go to the Dr next week they will offer me CBT as I am quite a good talker and a good listener - so I feel I'll be suited to talking about it and receiving advice and working on it I'd definitely prefer verbal discussion than just reading it through or medication.
I've read loads of threads with regard to the same as I'm experiencing and viewed anxiety and mental health sites that have helped me break down what could cause it and what could help.. All with thanks to you who've taken the time to give me advice x

Good look in finally being free of those thoughts, sounds like you have a lovely family, try not to let it stop you laughing and enjoying them. And take care, x😃

Op I have periods of this. It's been called 'catastrophophising'. When one of my kids phones I think something awful has happened or if DS has gone out on his motorbike and I hear a siren I think the worst.
If my manager rings me I think 'what have I done wrong?'.
Being on citalopram has helped, so has doing more exercise and being tired is definitely a trigger.
It does get better but it isn't nice.

I dare say I am tired and I definitely get these thoughts more at night although there is no direct pin point for when it can suddenly come on.
I do have a great family and the kids are a support they are a delight (most of the time)
That's why I want the help so desperately.. I am the same, if my partner is out and someone knocks on the door I think it's the police to inform me he's been killed in a car accident or random things like that

OCD is an anxiety syndrome, but you can be helped to overcome and control it. I have heard of the rubber band trick - often used by autistic people to help them control anxiety. Another thing that helps with that is a weighted blanket or lap pad. I'm not suggesting you are autistic! Just trying to offer relaxation techniques. If you are struggling at home try listening to a favourite programme whilst cleaning etc. so you are actively following a storyline etc. instead of being busy but still squirrelling away in your head! Does help.

Thank you, I appreciate all the advice I can get. I often listen to music or audio books, and have noticed that helps but I definitely think ocd is a contributing factor to the anxiety I have..
I'm so grateful for all of the advice.