Can't stop thinking about things

[Kittykat93]

I'm getting really upset looking at news story recently, to the point where I can't sleep at night and feel sick. I've stopped watching /reading the news and come off social media but I still come across things from threads on here and YouTube videos and end up clicking on them and then wishing to God I hadn't. It's mainly the ones to do with children, the recent torture and murders of children by parents, the selling of young girls in Afghanistan, anything like that sticks with me. The Arthur trial taking place at the moment I think about every day and it fills me with a deep sorrow and despair and I feel so helpless. I wish I could help children in these situations. Don't even know the point of this thread, I'm just feeling very low.

My Gran used to say when it’s cold and windy outside you close your windows. Because letting the wind in your house doesn’t stop it blowing, it just makes your house cold. There’s nothing you can do about this bad news except close your mental windows and not let it in. Focus on things that are actually within your control.

Try subscribing to sites which seek to counteract that.

Two I've come across are

www.positive.news

and

everwideningcircles.com

@Flubbah

My Gran used to say when it’s cold and windy outside you close your windows. Because letting the wind in your house doesn’t stop it blowing, it just makes your house cold. There’s nothing you can do about this bad news except close your mental windows and not let it in. Focus on things that are actually within your control.

Very true. I guess there's a part of me that thinks maybe I could help in some way, I don't have money but surely there's something I can do, rather than just turn a blind eye and pretend these things aren't happening. I have a young child and my anxiety has got loads worse since before I had them.

I have no advice @Kittykat93 but much sympathy as I feel the same as you have described.

@bluebellYellow

I have no advice *@Kittykat93* but much sympathy as I feel the same as you have described.

Thanks blue. Sometimes I feel there's something wrong with me for feeling this way but I just get haunted by these things. Horrible isn't it 😔

I hear you OP. Its an awful feeling and like you say, its not always easy to avoid seeing it. Even just a headline can be upsetting.

Op it sounds like you have anxiety at the moment. I would have a complete shut down on SM/MN/YouTube and concentrate on relaxing and meditation when you go to bed.

Sometimes when we are stressed/anxious we zoom in on bad news.

@Flubbah

My Gran used to say when it’s cold and windy outside you close your windows. Because letting the wind in your house doesn’t stop it blowing, it just makes your house cold. There’s nothing you can do about this bad news except close your mental windows and not let it in. Focus on things that are actually within your control.

I love this, sooo true

I understand.how you fel. Can you do a.sponsored walk to raise money for a cause of your choice?

I wonfer if there is, like a pp said, a little underlying anxiety? Hugs OP.

There is a lot of sadness in the world. We have to keep going and surround ourselves with kind and compassionate people too

I feel the same, OP. I only read political or lighthearted news items. Anything to do with children or animals can put me on a spiral of depression that can last for months.

I feel the same OP. Personally I'm doing a mix of trying to shut it out to protect myself but also supporting a charity that is actually doing something about one of the causes that has been keeping me up all night some nights.

Thank you everyone. I am very anxious at the moment yes and I think this is just part of that manifesting. I've made a real effort to stop reading these things and I have felt better for it

I'm struggling too. Star and Arthur... itsnjust utterly abhorrent

I remember reading on here once someone said to allow yourself a (small )certain amount of time a day to think of these things. Then for the rest of the day do not allow the thoughts. I know that's easier said than done but sometimes it might work for you.

It has helped me before. Since I've been reading little Arthur's trial I haven't stopped thinking about him. The past few days i have took on the above advice and it does help somewhat.

I think with the internet it's so hard to not stumble on things! I've made a real effort to not look at anything but even the threads on here, a couple have mentioned someone beating a horse and I'm straight back to that dark place where I feel sick. I know I should just come off mumsnet but it is hard to protect yourself entirely from the very real things that are happening around us.

People are just horrible and shitty, there's some good ones out there but I'm losing sight of that.

I don't at all agree about closing your windows.

Kittykat, this has been going on for decades, nothing new, but you might like to investigate any groups that work to help. Afghanistan in particular has a few well-known groups that work on helping women.

I just read the news story about 12 year old Louis Watkiss who sadly died at Snow Dome in Staffordshire. I burst into tears tbh, as it's an absolute waste of a life. He was a talented saxophonist. His parents staying with him and saying their final farewell to him as he passed away was what upset me most.

I try to avoid stories like this but it caught my eye today. I understand OP.

I just wanted to send thanks for sharing your experience and solidarity. I have this too.. sort of obsessive intrusive thoughts and overwhelming sadness about things I see in the news (yes, some of the specific ones mentioned above). What I don't understand is I go for months where I can sort of bear the knowledge of these heart-breaking things, withstand them to an extent (like we need to really to live in this sometimes terrible world) but then sometimes - and I'm not sure what the trigger is exactly - my armour is just all gone and I find them extremely hard to bear. It is truly comforting to know others experience the same, as it can feel very lonely. Hugs to everyone else who suffers this way.

I am feeling the same about these two particular cases at the moment, I feel the heaviness of them and a desperation to go back in time and save those poor little children and feed them and love them and put them safely to bed. It is all so sad

I have had to use the "hide thread" function on a few tonight. It's too much.

@Flubbah

My Gran used to say when it’s cold and windy outside you close your windows. Because letting the wind in your house doesn’t stop it blowing, it just makes your house cold. There’s nothing you can do about this bad news except close your mental windows and not let it in. Focus on things that are actually within your control.

Your Gran spoke wise words.

Sometimes it's wise to limit media time as most news is bad news, these days. Self preservation for mental health.

OP i am so sorry you feel this way xx lots of hugs to you. I am struggling too and with my mind wandering and haven't been able to shut these thoughts. I can't explain, its been to the point that I can't speak to anyone. I am eating less now and struggling with these news running in my head. I broke down in DH arms and he's been really nice.

Sorry I am not trying to unload here but just letting you know I really do understand. I don't know if I have undiagnosed pnd or other anxiety issues. I have been off social media since 2018 just have bbc news and I have switched off notifications. Sometimes you need to switch off so you can think straight.

I hope you feel ok OP xxxx

@pangolina

I am feeling the same about these two particular cases at the moment, I feel the heaviness of them and a desperation to go back in time and save those poor little children and feed them and love them and put them safely to bed. It is all so sad

If only we could!