I Have A Fear Of Fear Does Any One Else?

[oasis2003]

Hi
I was talking with my therapist the other day and I know it is her job to keep arousal/ exposure high during therapy . But I think I have a fear of fear so therapy is pretty scary at the mo. I am also not stable at present. Does any one else relate to a fear of fear ? During therapy or on a day to day basis?:eek::(

 

[watundah]

My anxiety is always highest in therapy. Not liking delving into change.

I am curious why you think this is your therapist's intent? I know mine sees it as a trust issue and would love for me to get past it - its causing me to drag recovery down to a snail pace.

 

[Gadgie]

Not having therapy just now, in fact last time was about two years ago. The only time I come into contact with fear, is when I wake up after a nightmare.

I go through so many emotions in them few seconds, from fear to confusion, shame, panic and relief. I think my main fear is that one time when I wake up from a nightmare, is that I'm going to die from a heart attack!

Sometimes it takes longer for my brain to realise where I am, and that's when I suffer fear the most, and that's what worries me.

 

[Fadeaway]

Yes I do. I have anxiety over fear of having an anxiety attack. I am afraid of being exposed to triggers. And yes, I always have anxiety on my way to therapy due to anticipation of fear.

 

[Chava]

Yes because I haven't trusted myself to handle really any emotions. It's gotten quite a bit better, but lately I am afraid of getting in a situation where I'm really scared...because I'm not sure how I'll handle it.

 

[oasis2003]

@watundah Yes I do have trust issues even with my therapist who is relatively new. It will take me quite a few sessions to trust her. She has said to me in a previous session that treatment for me would be exposure therapy as well as ACT which is working with difficult emotions, and her job would be to keep arousal high and try to accept emotions feelings etc. I want her to be honest with me especially about the treatment. As some of my trauma is medically related and interpersonal trauma whenever I go to therapy , or the thought of going raises my anxiety.

@Gadgie Yes I often wake in the night being totally afraid from dreams and nightmares, often to ground I get up make myself a cup of tea then try to sleep again. Yes when you are totally reliving it is terrifying as you think you are there and it is actually happening again. I try to tell myself it is a memory, but often I do not believe myself and fear is extremely high.

@Fadeaway Yes I use avoidance all of the time to avoid any triggers. I think when I experience a body memory or flash back it is just a normal reaction to have fear now, like a continuous never ending cycle.

@ Chava I seem to have started to try and repress all over my over whelming emotions which is exhausting, I have been told to try and experience them and accept them, which is easier said than done. I have a lot of work to do as soon as an overwhelming emotion comes up I numb it down, or go into dissociation, otherwise like you say afraid of getting into a situation where you are really scared and not knowing how you are going to respond or whether you can handle it. My repression of emotions and dissociation is not healthy for me though so how do you stop being afraid of being afraid if you are just using defence mechanisms and safety behaviour to protect yourself.

 

[falling_wave]

I do. I start to feel anxious and then I get anxious about being anxious. I have anxiety feelings in therapy but am not afraid if being afraid there. It's more when I'm not around someone who can help I fear losing control. Maybe you could talk to your T about a plan to calm you down in between anxiety producing topics so that it becomes a safe space? You should get strong emotions there but it doesn't have to be the entire session.

 

[Sammyiam]

I fear fear, I fear anixiety, I fear paranoia, I fear pretty much everything :(

 

[The Albatross]

No. Fears, they frustrate me... I get anxious... but fear happens... I'm not afraid of it. It's pretty much a given from time to time and I can accept it.

 

[Ronin]

Fear challenges me, I like fear.

Anxiety, not so much. Anxiety seriously cripples me. But fear's a challenge and my most respected enemy, & truest friend.

(Not speaking of paranoia. Paranoia is a whole different category, and not on the same like list.)

 

[ReachingOutJ]

I have fear of fear, anxiety, fear of my family, and the house I live in, and I feel shame for being on my anxiety medication. Trying hard to self-soothe and tell myself I am in a safe space.

 

[Truthful_Whispers]

Phobophobia, the fear of fearing.