How do I conquer my fears?

Question

I am afraid drowning and heights and therefore terrified of bridges. Also, despite my religious beliefs I am really afraid of death. My daughter turn two yesterday and on days like that I can't help but spend a few minutes thinking that I'm just one step closer to death. My husband is not really afraid of anything, so he has a hard time understanding. It's getting to the point that a lot of my good days are lessened by a few moments of these thoughts, and my anxiety makes me very negative at times. I don't want these feelings to ruin my happiness or others around me in the future. Please help.

Answer 1

Animal Lover's right: You should see a therapist, if it's consuming so much of your time, energy, and happiness.

And yes, you should face those fears head-on. I'm not saying you should deliberately try to drown yourself for instance, but try taking a good swimming course. Afraid of hieghts? Climb up ladders a lot (but let your husband be your spotter, so to speak!) And yes, you might even try some basic rock-climbing. Instead of focusing on those fears- which gives them way more importance than they should have- you should work on convincing yourself of one phrase: "I Can Do This."

Another thing I used to do that helped me work through some situations: Lucid Dreaming. It is actually possible to seize control of your dreams if you don't like the direction they're going, and change them. So if you see yourself falling, for instance- change that to a dream of flying instead. That is a very crude example of course.

Good luck!

Answer 2

The only help I can think of is there must have been an incident in your past that has made you afraid of these things. I recommend going back to the place this happened such as a bridge or another place and re-living the scene. ex. If you were 10 years old and were on a bridge, like one in your local area, and you fell off it, you might be scared now. So to change your feelings about the bridge you would have to go to the same bridge and walk across it to show yourself nothing is going to happen on EVERY bridge your on. As far as the death and dieing, there is really no reason to be scared. Everyone has to be born and everybody has to die. Its a part of life.

Answer 3

You are having Acrophobia,Hypsiphobia that is fear of height,Aquaphobia that is fear of water and also drowning.It can medicated if the fear is severe .To know whether u need medication just try to look down from a tall building balcony (mind the balcony wall should be upto ur chest height atleast and ask ur husband to stay beside u if u feel dizzy and feel u will fall then go to a good doctor have proper medication these phobias quite common and about 40% of world have eiher of the phobia that u have .So just have proper medication and have fun.

Answer 4

Talking to a trained mental health professional is the best way to start. It's true you have to face your fears to conquer them, but you don't have to do it all at once. You can do it in baby steps with small exposure. A counselor or therapist can help you with this.

I suggest starting with The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook: Books: Edmund J. Bourne
or the easier read of Anxiety & Depression Workbook For Dummies at your local bookstore.

Answer 5

You have to face them to conquer them.. Seriously, that's the only way. I mean, you can't really face your death head on to get over that fear, you just have to deal with the fact that we are all gonna die someday, the point is to not let that ruin your life. Don't waste your life away worring about death, it won't work...worrying about it will not let you live forever. You need to ask your husband to help you out a bit. Let him take you to conquer your fears. I'm sure he'd probably love to help. Let him take you swimming, let him take you to the highest tower and look down. Nothing is going to happen to you. You'll be fine. Once you get up to the top of that tower and look down, you will realize that it's not so bad and you've been wasting your life away on worries. If you are so worried about death, why not make the most out of life?? I used to be deathly afraid of roller coasters that went upside down. Some friends talked me into to trying it....I love it, now...I'm a rollercoaster addict!!!! I'm just bummed that I wasted so much time of my life being worried about something so silly, when I could have enjoyed it more!!

Answer 6

I understand your plight, somewhat, the only difference between my agoraphobia (fear of crowds and being unable to get out of a crowd), besides being a different fear, is that I face mine every day. Your fear of heights and drowning, is probably not an everyday fear, but the Mental Health Center closest to you would be my suggestion. You could get an anti-anxiety medication prescribed for you, for that fear.
Now, the fear of death--I may have an answer to share with you here--the Bible. I'm not sure what your religion is, or what it consists of, but the Bible is studied in most religions. The Bible is God's Word. The Word of God says that we are His children. God loves us unconditionally. He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for our sins. Jesus bore our Sins on the cross, so we won't have to. "For God so loved the world, that He sent His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, would not parish, but have everlasting life." Nowhere else, in the whole wide world, can we find a quote that is more promising. In my religion, we say or sing, "Christ our passover is sacrificed for us, therefore let us keep the feast" just before Communion. So another important thing to do, is observe Communion.

Answer 7

The best way to overcome fear is to conquer it. If you are afraid of drowning, learn to swim. Become a good swimmer. If you are afraid of hights, go someplace that's high, but safe. If you are afraid of your religion, either look for the good in it, or change your beliefs. All religion is is a belief. You have the power to choose what you believe or don't believe. Godo luck with it all.

Answer 8

Confront them. Why are you afraid of drowning? Maybe go to some swimming lessons. I think you just can't swim good, so you're afraid...Heights aren't too bad, go rock climbing on a rock wall and you'll see...Death is something that comes, don't be afraid of it, just live life, worrying won't help.

Answer 9

go into war with them and attack them. (and you secretly attack them from the back, thats a good tactic, they wont be ready to fight back) and they will lose because they weren't ready for you And congrats, you have conquered your fears! now u could put your flag there....

Answer 10

You must face your fears in order to conquer them.