How do you stop obsessive, scary thoughts if in reality they are scary? For example, I obsess about the possibility of losing my health insurance coverage which in reality I very well could & might. I couldn't afford other health insurance coverage & I need my health insurance because I have different health issues. It's a scary thought but one that could come true. It's not an irrational scary thought. So I guess what I'm asking is how to stop real obsessive, scary thoughts. Any input on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Midnight blue

Midnight blue,

I have the very same 'rational' scary thoughts. I worry about REAL things that could very well happen.

How to stop them is to realize that bad things may happen whether you worry about them or not, so you are not stopping the feared event from happening by worrying about it. You just end up making yourself sick with worry.

In the bible God asks us in Matthew 6:27
"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"

Isn't that true? We actually take away from our life quality by worrying.

Can you try (I know it's hard) to enjoy the days while you are safe and tell yourself that you will deal with whatever dreaded event when and IF it happens?

I don't know if you are a believer, but I have to put my trust in God as far as things that are out of my control and trust that he will provide and care for myself and my family.
Otherwise I will be immobilized by fear.

In any case I will pray for you.
I hope you can rid yourself of worry and accept that life is difficult, but we can get through a lot more than we give ourselves credit for.

Take care and God bless sweetie.
-- Kim

Hi Kim,

Thanks for the prayers. I am a believer. That's a good quote from Matthew 6:27. I will work on not worrying, but I seem to be an obsessive worrier. My OCD doesn't help matters. I know it's not worth making myself sick over. I'll try to enjoy the days I'm safe. I really appreciate your input. Thanks again & God bless!

Midnight blue

I am a big what if thinker too. For me, I think this will be my biggest struggle. I am not this far into the program, I just noticed th topic and it so sounded like me. I worry about medical issues, real or not. I have noticed this was never a real issue until I had my daughter, seven years ago. I mean, i was a worrier, but not about medical stuff so much. I mean, I was a dental assistance with my hands in people'e mouths, one year being before gloves were even worn. I even had all the tests run with my doctor after my daughter was born because I was worried I had given something to her. Of course, I was fine. I still find myself over-worrying about situations, where real risk is there, but I blow it out of proportion. I too am a Christian and am trying to realize ultimately it is up to God how long I am here on this earth. I mean, here I am worrying about one thing when I may die of old age or something really freaky that even I can't imagine. I am trying, though and I suppose that is all any of us can do. I find myself asking my husband if I handled certain situations correcly or if he would worry about x y or z. Of course, he wouldn't worry about half of what I do because he isn't a worrier, or not about the same things anyway.

Mary