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Catatrophizing

6 replies

user1471543683 · 12/02/2021 11:58

Does anyone else do this? To outsiders I am laid back, chilled, like a simple stress free life but on the other hand within my home I spend a huge amount of time worrying and thinking the absolute worst. I have always been a bit of a worrier but I think being in Lockdown and not having any work to do (furloughed) is just not giving me anything to be positive about. Most of my catastrophizing is to do with my house. We had a couple of roof leaks which eventually got fixed but there was some damage that needed to be fixed. I spend all my time fixated on the leaks coming back, that I've got more that I cant see, that there is a huge amount of damage being done behind the tiles. That I've got damp, I feel the walls all the time for wet patches. I spend all my days obsessing over where the next leak will be. This last week it has been horrendous, I'm not eating or sleeping properly for thinking my house is going to collapse with water damage. I just don't know how to feel positive.

OP posts:
BeforetheFlood · 12/02/2021 20:26

I'm just scrolling down the MH board because I'm in a horrible place this evening (not literally - at home on the sofa, as always) but saw your post and wanted to say you're not alone. I am the queen of worst case scenarios in all things, but I can definitely relate to the house issues. I think it's a very logical manifestation of insecurity, a worry that your place of safety isn't actually very safe at all.

I wish I had a solution or any words of wisdom, for the benefit of both of us! Sadly I got nothing, but a socially distanced hand hold.

greeceiwwhereimdreamingof · 13/02/2021 09:16

I catastrophise too - it’s got worse recently and I’m seeing a counsellor and working through CbT strategies - I recommend giving it a go.

user1471543683 · 13/02/2021 10:58

Thank you for replying Smile it definitely makes me realise I need my work as a distraction and because most of my worries are house related it feels like I can escape these when I got to work. I feel it consumes my thoughts and is affecting my kids. I was so lost in though yesterday morning I forgot about my daughters teams meeting for going to high school. Poor thing was panicking she'd missed it and it was my fault. Sad

OP posts:
BeforetheFlood · 13/02/2021 17:31

I don't think we could have ever imagined the far-reaching effect of being isolated in our houses, or the impact it would have in so many different ways. It's just SO DIFFICULT to get perspective on a situation when you can't physically put some distance between you and it by getting out and doing something completely different, seeing new things, having your thoughts diverted by interesting stuff.

This whole situation is awful for children, but the impact on parents dealing with our own mental health struggles while having to keep a front of normality and positivity and juggle a whole new set of demands is just punishing. I have the Calm app on my phone and try to do their daily calms, which are only 10 minutes and seem to have a cumulative beneficial effect. Most importantly, go easy on yourself and be really proud of how much you're coping with and how well.

user1471543683 · 19/02/2021 16:34

Well I ended up contacting GP who was lovely and really listened. She has prescribed Propranolol as she feels this will have a quicker effect than AD's. I have written a list of everything that I am worrying about, both big and small worries and if I can take one off the list every so often I feel I'm going in the right direction. Back to work on Monday which I think will help

OP posts:
tired10022 · 20/02/2021 21:00

Reminds me of how I was on maternity leave, spent most of it thinking that there is something wrong with my house, I would find small things and become fixated on this and would always think the worst possible scenario! Then my baby fell and cut her cheek and it turned to catastrophising about that for a good few months. 3 years on my house is still standing and daughter has not a mark but I do find my anxiety gets directed onto other things, relationships, work etc. It takes a big step to recognise this as affecting your life and asking for help! I haven't done so yet but after seeing your post I may well do! (I'm a mental health nurse so the worst at seeking help haha!) let me know how you get on and if the Propranolol helps? The thing atm I find useful is distraction and mindfulness😊

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