Worst case scenarios for freaking everything

[Gs172003]

How do I stop doing that? I have done everything from picturing a car plowing into me as I pull across the parking lot to picturing the gas tank next to a walk way at the zoo blowing up with a group of people walking next to it. ( It's on a construction site). It's automatic. My brain will come up with something disastrous from all kinds of things.

 

[MyWillow]

Hmmmm.....do as I say not as I do ;)

Acknowledge. Thank your brain for protecting you. That's what's helped you survive thus far. Then remind yourself that you are safe. Breathe.

Rinse. Repeat.

 

[Gs172003]

Thank you @MyWillow

 

[joeylittle]

My brain will come up with something disastrous from all kinds of things.

When this happens, how does it affect you? What thoughts or feelings do you have?

 

[Gs172003]

When this happens, how does it affect you? What thoughts or feelings do you have?

Depends on the scenario. The gas tank thing I feel like I need to bring it to the attention of the higher ups so they can fix it. But reality is they won't. I do that alot. I find alot of potential things "wrong" ask for it to be fixed and drive them crazy.
The car scenario I just felt stupid when nothing actually happened.
Etc etc etc

This is embarrassing but my cat got injured from an unknown source. I was terrified for a week he had rabies. I knew logically he probably didn't. We haven't had domestic rabies in 20 years in this county. It didn't matter.

 

[Friday]

The gas tank thing I feel like I need to bring it to the attention of the higher ups so they can fix it. But reality is they won't. I do that alot. I find alot of potential things "wrong" ask for it to be fixed and drive them crazy.

I know a couple of vets who have become safety inspectors, because that’s just how their minds work post PTSD. Its doesn’t bother them, like kicking off anxiety attacks or anything, but potential safety hazards just sort of leap out of the landscape at them.

(One of them I had come inspect my house before I bought it. Invaluable man. Even though he usually works for oil rigs, he owns his own home, so he learned the codes for where he lives. “You’re totally legal here, but move it just 5 more feet and you’re 100 times better off” or “The law says 50 feet, you’ve got 100 feet, so do that. Move it as far away as possible. You’ve got the space. So use it.” Or “law says 10 feet, but really, as long as you’re not right on top of each other? And I mean touching? You’re fine.” )

It’s a 6 figure job in a lot of areas, so if it DOESNT bother you, and you’re looking for a career? You might look into that one.

 

[KwanYingirl]

Safety is one of the realms that gets f*cked up by PTSD. It sounds like vigelence and worry for your safety. Can you examine what else was going on in your life when you have these worries? Does it feel the same as you felt when you know you were absolutely unsafe and perhaps unable to secure safety at those times?

 

[Gs172003]

I know a couple of vets who have become safety inspectors, because that’s just how their minds work po...

That might not be a bad idea

Safety is one of the realms that gets f*cked up by PTSD. It sounds like vigelence and worry for you...

Sometimes yeah. Sometimes it's I need to stop something bad from happening to somebody else.

I know a couple of vets who have become safety inspectors, because that’s just how their minds work po...

We have alot of construction going on at work along with alot of projects like roofing, etc. It drives me batty when I see somebody on the roof with no safety gear. I want to say something but I'm not allowed.

 

[PeTerSD]

All I can say is that I completely understand and empathise! When added stress comes along to my already frazzled life, every thought, no matter how innocuous, ends in dramatic catastrophe. I had a friend coming to visit the other day and as I was mentally preparing what I would make for us to eat, imagining her enjoying the nice meal, suddenly I imagined she was allergic to something I fed her and her head expanded so much it exploded. It was so vivid I jumped out of my seat!

Late at night it's violent intruders and psychotic clowns..when I am not tired it can actually amuse me, but when already stressed it really gets me down!

 

[Gs172003]

All I can say is that I completely understand and empathise! When added stress comes along to my alread...

The weird thing is normal things don't bother me. Rabies? Terrifying. People dying from the flu? Eh, just hold your breath when you pass by people you'll be fine.
The car scenario makes no sense to me either because I drive like a bat out of hell on the expressway.
Lord I'm odd lol