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Post by SharonValley on Apr 2, 2020 5:24:27 GMT -5
Maybe now would be a good time to talk about panic. Sometimes I am prone to panic. I let fear tactics get to me because I entertain the "what if" scenarios even when I know something is being blown out of proportion. I avoid the news, and I avoid FB groups because of all the panic and attention-seeking tactics people use to get the types of replies they want from people. I need to engage in places that are less prone to bias and hysteria. I like posting here because you all seem very rational compared to FB groups and talking to you all helps me deal with my panic.
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Post by cloud on Apr 2, 2020 5:49:53 GMT -5
It's weird. For me, I have absolutely no panic over COVID-19, but I could panic if say, I have to see a person I haven't seen in years, and I mean panic to the point of vomiting.
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Post by SKINI'mIN on Apr 2, 2020 6:06:21 GMT -5
I'm not one to panic over the news, but I agree that people on social media can make fears worse. I'm also one who used to panic for weeks before a doctor appointment. I got myself physically sick when I wasn't previously.
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Post by cloud on Apr 2, 2020 6:06:33 GMT -5
SharonValley, JW, were you physically diagnosed with panic disorder?
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Post by SharonValley on Apr 2, 2020 6:07:24 GMT -5
I have talked to my doctors about my panic, and they gave me medications for that that have calmed me a lot since then. But there are no medicines that stop your thought process even if they stop your physical symptoms.
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Post by SKINI'mIN on Apr 2, 2020 6:07:53 GMT -5
That's true. For me, I end up physically calm, but then my mind still keeps me awake at night.
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Post by Crazy Crow on Apr 2, 2020 6:26:58 GMT -5
I can be prone to panic, but at the weirdest times. Never over something that others would consider serious.
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Post by OfficiallyJayy on Apr 2, 2020 8:56:30 GMT -5
I just want to remind everyone to be mindful that BoTM is open to the public.
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Post by SharonValley on Apr 2, 2020 8:56:49 GMT -5
Jay,
I don't mind sharing. It could be helpful for guests who want to join.
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Post by OfficiallyJayy on Apr 2, 2020 8:57:09 GMT -5
That's a very positive outlook. I'm wishing you the best.
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Post by lithiumkat on Apr 2, 2020 9:32:58 GMT -5
Maybe now would be a good time to talk about panic. Sometimes I am prone to panic. I let fear tactics get to me because I entertain the "what if" scenarios even when I know something is being blown out of proportion. I avoid the news, and I avoid FB groups because of all the panic and attention-seeking tactics people use to get the types of replies they want from people. I need to engage in places that are less prone to bias and hysteria. I like posting here because you all seem very rational compared to FB groups and talking to you all helps me deal with my panic. I struggle with this too. I have had to take breaks from reading the news and the emotional-appeal tactics particularly bother me. I understand that sometimes what is going on is legitimately scary but the extra emotional appeal they add into these already scary news stories is overkill for me. I've been kind of absent lately because I've sort of withdrawn from things a little bit as I've been struggling some. I think that finally after avoiding the news most days for the past several days and limiting time on facebook and being selective about what types of posts I choose to engage with...I am feeling a bit better. I've also been reading a lot and coloring and things to kind of calm my mind. Sending out all the good vibes because I totally understand. The other day (before I decided to set some healthy boundaries for myself) I got so scared and overwhelmed I had to hide in my room (didn't want to freak out my kiddos) and just sit in the chair and cry because I felt so scared and overwhelmed and it was awful. I am like you with the "what if" scenarios, and SOMETIMES that can be helpful if I think to myself even IF x worst case scenario happens it will still be okay because y...but lately, given all that's happening that is not particularly helpful. I always talk about "tools in my toolbox" that are my things to kind of help me out of an anxiety/panic attack kind of issue and I try to remember to use my tools. Some are very simple like taking deep breaths that fill my belly and then breathe out slowly (slowly is important do not want to hyperventilate) I usually do like 7 breaths. I also find that coloring in a coloring book, stopping to make a cup of warm tea, sitting and reading a book for awhile, doing some yoga (tough lately with my bum knee to be able to do this), going for a walk, journaling, drawing, or playing with some fidget toys (putty, floam, playdough, squishems and those types of things) are all very helpful for being to dial down the intensity. Do you have/have you ever considered what tools are at your disposal or what things work for you to help dial things down? What works differs from person to person so while some of my tools may be helpful to you some of them may not be. I remember doing some work figuring this out when I was doing some counseling sessions in college and having some difficulty with my mental health. I do have bipolar disorder and I know that if I chose to take medication for it that would help but I dislike a great deal of the side effects and I dislike the idea of long term taking a medication just to manage symptoms knowing it is not going to cure/fix the problem. So...I have had to find more organic ways to manage the unstable moods....ie: my toolbox. Sending you wishes for peace and calm amid chaos. If you ever want to talk about tools in your toolbox or how to find them or just speak with someone who understands the anxiety issues feel free to message me. |
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Post by bigballofyarn on Apr 2, 2020 10:05:42 GMT -5
Maybe now would be a good time to talk about panic. Sometimes I am prone to panic. I let fear tactics get to me because I entertain the "what if" scenarios even when I know something is being blown out of proportion. I avoid the news, and I avoid FB groups because of all the panic and attention-seeking tactics people use to get the types of replies they want from people. I need to engage in places that are less prone to bias and hysteria. I like posting here because you all seem very rational compared to FB groups and talking to you all helps me deal with my panic. I struggle with this too. I have had to take breaks from reading the news and the emotional-appeal tactics particularly bother me. I've been watching HOURS of COVID-19 coverage every day. Prior to this, it was nonstop coverage of the impeachment hearings. What I found to be interesting was that the more I saw, the more I noticed media bias and exaggeration - not just with COVID-19, but with everything I've had to research. Remember that any coverage you see will be covered in "filters" and personal bias. Some networks are reporting constant death tolls and people running wild in the streets. Other networks are reporting quiet streets, no lines for COVID-19 testing, and neighbors having quiet BBQs while enjoying time off from work. Remember that there is no objective truth on TV. Even cameras are limited to what their lens can see. What we see on TV or online is limited to the point of view of the person sharing the story. You have to trust your instincts and not let someone else's opinion cripple how you see the world. |
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Post by lithiumkat on Apr 2, 2020 10:12:09 GMT -5
I struggle with this too. I have had to take breaks from reading the news and the emotional-appeal tactics particularly bother me. I've been watching HOURS of COVID-19 coverage every day. Prior to this, it was nonstop coverage of the impeachment hearings. What I found to be interesting was that the more I saw, the more I noticed media bias and exaggeration - not just with COVID-19, but with everything I've had to research. Remember that any coverage you see will be covered in "filters" and personal bias. Some networks are reporting constant death tolls and people running wild in the streets. Other networks are reporting quiet streets, no lines for COVID-19 testing, and neighbors having quiet BBQs while enjoying time off from work. Remember that there is no objective truth on TV. Even cameras are limited to what their lens can see. What we see on TV or online is limited to the point of view of the person sharing the story. You have to trust your instincts and not let someone else's opinion cripple how you see the world. This is SO TRUE! I remember how eye opening it was taking college courses and understanding the bias behind everything. Being taught to look for who is responsible for putting out an article, video, etc. What they are hoping to gain from it. The value in peer reviewed journals vs something put out on buzzfeed by someone hoping to sell you something. Even things that seem very legitimate are often so biased that it's just ridiculous. I have had to remind myself that YES there are scary stories that are true but that for every true scary story there are probably hundreds of personal accounts that were not NEARLY that extreme. I have had to remind myself that while, yes, this is serious, panicking is not going to help anything. Better to just try and be aware and do what I can to stay home and limit exposure as much as possible. Christina, that sounds very daunting lately with everything going on (for both the impeachment AND the covid-19 situations especially given how much misleading or straight up false information is floating around out there!!! It is eye opening when you start to look into what execs own what news stations and what other companies are they invested in and how does what they air on their channel connect with their other interests. You end up seeing SOOO much conflict of interest when you start doing this, it's insane. |
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Post by OfficiallyJayy on Apr 2, 2020 10:19:45 GMT -5
Whoa, Christina came in here with sensible advice.  |
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Post by SharonValley on Apr 2, 2020 10:20:04 GMT -5
Wow, I never looked at things like that before. This is pretty mind-blowing to me. Seriously.
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