We'll be ok, won't we?

[Dinosaurs1994]

I keep seeing posts mentioning nuclear war and my previously cured anxiety has returned with such a vengeance I'm petrified and have been reduced to tears. I've just had a baby and have a disabled child. I live in London which would be a target and I'm frightened.

I'm going to need to tune out of the news before it tips me over the edge.

I'm devastated for Ukraine but naturally in my postpartum state my worry lays with my children.

Could somebody, kindly, reassure me that we - here in the UK - will be ok 😭

You need to see the GP reference your anxiety and stop watching the news.

nobody can reassure you i'm afraid

@HereComesTheSum

You need to see the GP reference your anxiety and stop watching the news.

I have no intention of watching the news but the damage is done now, so to speak.

Once you see a handful of comments talking about nuclear war (on here actually) it's hard to un-see it.

A nuclear war is as likely now than it has been for the past 40 years. It is a very worrying time.

The positive thing is if it turns nuclear it'd be over pretty quickly for everyone.

Christ what monumentally in-helpful replies!
Please try not to worry OP. Yes, Russia invading Ukraine is bad but it’s highly unlikely to lead to nuclear war because even Russia isn’t that stupid!

If there is a nuclear war then you'll have nothing to worry about ever again. That's the harsh reality. But it is highly unlikely. No one (including Putin) wants it to reach that stage.

The current conflict is about posturing and power. It's not about taking out whole countries at the press of a button.

I'm so sorry you're feeling like this, OP and it's natural to feel scared as there are a lot of unknowns. I'm also feeling very anxious, but trying to read some good news stories like this lovely one to balance my feelings: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-60493643

To put your mind at ease, it is highly unlikely to lead to a nuclear war. Nothing is ever 100% but nuclear war is mutually assured destruction. Putin wants power and authority back from the West and he won't be able to do that if there's any kind of nuclear war.

Russia invading Ukraine is Russia just trying to take back 'their' land. They'll go after a few more but most post-Soviet Russian territories are NATO. Putin won't mess with NATO so we're unlikely to become involved at this point at all past sanctions.

@jd88123

The positive thing is if it turns nuclear it'd be over pretty quickly for everyone.

Please don't

We will be ok.

It’s all about money and oil and there’s no money in dropping a nuclear bomb so no one will do it. Just small inadequate men posturing.

Front line Russian and Ukrainian troops won’t be ok sadly but the hardship for us is more likely to be financial.

@Dinosaurs1994 please don't worry OP. Nuclear war is very unlikely. Putin may be a lot of things but he's not stupid and he's not crazy.

Thank you for the helpful replies. I appreciate it.

God what a bloody mess.

Sure you’re glad you posted!

Either way I wouldn’t rely on MN for either reassurance or kindness. Seek other sources. (Sad I have to say that.)

And the poster above who said ‘you need to see your GP’ PMSL.

[quote ouch12345]@Dinosaurs1994 please don't worry OP. Nuclear war is very unlikely. Putin may be a lot of things but he's not stupid and he's not crazy. [/quote]
He's not crazy?! No?

i don't think its fair or right to dismiss this as just being about oil and money......people have died and are dying and we can't rewrite that for op. it shouldnt be dismissed to make someone feel better....i have a colleague worried sick about her entire family spread in Ukraine. I will say to her its just about oil and money??

@EsmesRedPetticoat

Christ what monumentally in-helpful replies! Please try not to worry OP. Yes, Russia invading Ukraine is bad but it’s highly unlikely to lead to nuclear war because even Russia isn’t that stupid!

You call it unhelpful but this is the reality. Yes we can all pretend everything will be fine, or we can be realistic and agree that no one fully knows how this will play out. Pps are correct, if nukes are involved her issues in London will be very short lived. Harsh, but true.

You need distraction.
Off with the news and a nice gentle family time today.

Long as NATO keep their noses out of it. Russia just wanted to be reassured nato would leave its borders alone... they didn't listen and this is the result.

It's pathetic.

It’s about about a huge amount more than money and oil. That’s an overly simplistic take.

You call it unhelpful but this is the reality. Yes we can all pretend everything will be fine, or we can be realistic and agree that no one fully knows how this will play out. Pps are correct, if nukes are involved her issues in London will be very short lived. Harsh, but true.

What a lovely thing to say to a postpartum woman in a mess posting for emotional support. Thanks alot.

I'm sure Johnson will be very reassuring!

Honestly some of these replies! The OP has posted for support, if some of you can't offer any then don't reply at all.

OP, I have felt exactly the same as you before. The best advice I can give you is to stay away from the news and social media for a bit. The news tend to report things in a very catastrophic manner and social media is full of hysteria at the best of times.

I helped me so much and to this day I don't watch the news and my anxiety about such things is massively improved.

The UK is nothing, I think people believe it’s a important country, we are a small island we are nothing to be feared, we are small fry to Russia. USA, Germany, France….. these countries are powerful. Please stop worrying, it won’t help anyone.

Cyber attacks, price of fuel and bread rising are more than possible but not Nuclear Eaton British soil.

I feel you OP, I used to have horrific anxiety about the end of the world. As stupid as it sounds, I convinced myself that we were going to be hit by an asteroid. One night I saw something odd flickering in the night sky and I assumed it was an asteroid. I was on the floor shaking and hyperventilating - full on panic attack (it was a Chinese lantern) so I know how you feel.
The same thing happened with 9/11 … I was convinced America would nuclear bomb Afghanistan and it would cause world war 3. I couldn’t even pick my kids up from school that day, I was an absolute wreck.

Can’t comment on the Russia thing as I’m mentally blocking it out. I can only advise you do the same.