New Here And Terrified Of Coming Bad Weather

[littlelucy]

Hello, can anyone advise me please what I can do

Snow has been forecast in UK. I used to think it beautiful and actually like it, 4 years ago I moved to a small commuter town and found out that it gets cut off when it snows heavy and the roads are either not gritted or the grit has no effect and cars cant leave or enter the town,

It has made me terrified to live in my home and constantly dreading the snowfall, last year I paid to stay in a hotel when the first flakes fell because I didn't want to be trapped, and it turned out that time the roads to the town were passable anyway, so I wasted my money. But the two previous winters about 5 or 8 inches of snow fell in minutes, and as the town is in a valley it was impossible to drive out on any of the hilly roads because they were too slippery.

I was terrified because if I had gotten ill no one could have got here to help me, and I couldn't have gotten away from here to a safe place.

I must point out that I dont consider my home a safe place, because i have no family apart from partner here. and he doesn't really understand,. I am disabled and if i feel unwell i cannot stay under my own roof. I always feel the need to run away, and if my town is cut off by snow I cant run away and will have to sit and face my illness,which I am incapable of doing. I have tried but my illness feeds off the stress and i get worse, lose mental and physical control, am too scared to eat in case it brings on vomiting or diarrhea. So I really have no choice but to run away. i am in bits just thinking that it may snow and i may be unable to escape. and i dont trust the council to grit the roads properly.

I have PTSD, as well as claustrophobia,mild agoraphobia, emetophobia, fear of hospitals, death, illness, and medications.

I am really making myself more nervous worrying about the snow. What can I do. Relaxation methods dont work as I am so frightened of my own stomach,., and the things it does to hurt me whenever I am trapped or in a bad situation of any kind.

I have been in the past the victim of multiple rape and attempted murder, as well as witnessing a stabbing and another death by manslaughter,. I also watched my step-dad stab my mum as a kid and was kidnapped and stabbed by a group of yobbos. So I have good reason to be afraid, and am absolutely terrified of any situation where I cant escape from. The injuries I have from the attempt on my life mean I have long term stomach problems which I have no skills to cope with, including food allergies, hypersensitivity and incontinence,

 

[Hashi]

Hi littlelucy,

I'm sorry for what you've been through, and the anxiety you're experiencing now.

I'd suggest taking any practical steps you can.

You said if you'd got ill before when snowed in, no-one could have got there to help you. I'm sorry if I'm misundertanding, but do you mean family or friends from outside where you are? I wondered if there's some way you can still connect to whatever/whoever it would be, to make yourself feel safer. Could you arrange for regular check-in phone calls or emails with them so you don't feel cut off?

If it's an option to stay in a hotel again, even though you'd have to pay the money that might be worth it if it will make you feel safer and more in control.

Have you ever contacted Anxiety UK? ([DLMURL]http://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/[/DLMURL]) They've helped me a lot. I found it more helpful to ring their helpline number than a general helpline, because they understand the kinds of anxieties you mention and you don't need to explain it all to them. If you join for a small amount of money you can be put in contact with a therapist, including phone therapy and short term therapy. They have quite low fees. I wonder if that could help you through this?

 

[Abstract]

Hi Littlelucy,

How are you doing with this? I am sorry that this situation is so upsetting for you.

Are there not any community nursing facilities that could monitor you and check in with you if the weather deteriorates? Have you spoken to your Dr about your fears and the position you find yourself in?

Welcome to the forum.