Dealing with fear

[Anonymous]

A few years ago, I was outside watching a thunderstorm, when a group of low clouds started swirling and a tornado dropped out of the sky, right before my eyes.  It was way too close for comfort.  Ever since then, I've been a little paranoid when thunderstorms roll in, especially if the clouds are churning like they did that day.  I used to love thunderstorms, but now I'm so hypersensitive to them that I can't enjoy them.  The other day I almost had a panic attack when I saw the same low swirling clouds approaching.  Is there anything I can do to help deal with this fear?  It seems that my fear has gotten worse with time, rather than better, and I'm tired of it.  Thanks for any advice you might have.

[NachtSorcier]

I can relate.  When I was 8 or 9, I was sitting on the porch with my family during a thunderstorm.  All of a sudden, a huge bolt of lighting dropped from the sky, striking a large daycare center 100 yards across the street.  The sound was deafening and a fountain of bricks rained down onto the street before us.  For several years after that, I would retreat under a blanket and come close to tears everytime a thunderstorm came along.  

For me, I just had to deal with the fear and let it subside over time, eventually realizing that the chances of me or my house getting struck were statistically low.  Now I'm not really afraid of storms, I just get startled when a big clap of thunder sounds.

It's also good to remember that every kind of weather happens for a reason.  Tornadoes are nature's way of tilling the soil, for example.

Good luck, and I hope you feel better soon.

Christophe

[Zenon]

in dealing with fear, the best remedy I've always found was to face what I feared until I could handle it (being that the thing I feared would not kill me of course).  that is, public speaking, jumping from a roof, marking people 3 times my size in a football match, etc...  there's stuff that still give me the creeps but now i know how to handle that fear in some sort of way.

[RedRonin]

Damn.......... I'd trade places with you in a hearbeat.

I used to stand outside and try to make more noise than the thunder.  It was a fantastic way to blow off steam.

Then came the little matter of the hailstorm............................

Those things hurt!!!

But I digress...  I've always wanted to see a twister live and in person, but have never had the opportunity.  I'm not sure I'd have the sense to know if/when one was too close or not, though.

Fears aren't something easily conquered.  You're aware of it, now learn to accept the fear and see it for what it is.

[Anonymous]

I used to be just like you, Red.  During a storm, I would run outside and jump on the trampoline, with the rain bouncing off the trampoline and the lightning and thunder booming all around me.  It was quite an adrenaline rush!  The only thing that could get me inside during a storm was hail, or an angry parent physically dragging me indoors.  I had dreamed of seeing a tornado ever since I was a child, but it is different when it happens in your own backyard.  You begin to feel vulnerable, especially out here where there are no tornado sirens, no warning.

But I'm sure I'll get over it eventually.  Time heals all wounds, right?   Maybe a simple protection rite would also be beneficial, if only from a psychological standpoint.  I suppose it's better than doing nothing.

PS:  If you're interested in some good stormchaser and nature pictures, go to http://www.extremeinstability.com/2005.htm  It's pretty amazing.  I was just browsing through his storm pictures and it helped to remind me just how beautiful the storms can be, and why I used to love them so much.  I also experienced the May 15th auroras shown on that page, and they were spectacular as well.  Nature is incredible, isn't it?  I never cease to be amazed...

[Zenon]

Fears aren't something easily conquered.  You're aware of it, now learn to accept the fear and see it for what it is.

You are right.  I think some fears are never overpassed, but when you become aware of why they exist you find a way to live with them.