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I have this terrible fear of the unknown. I will not do anything that is unknown to me. This prohibits me from living life to the fullest and enjoying new experiences. I freeze with fear when i try new things and because of this have not changed my job also. I am a pretty young guy and dont know why I am like this. Please help me by suggesting some medicines or morale boosting excercises. Please do not ridicule me, i am being genuine.

Thanks for reading.

2006-08-12 11:01:17 · 31 answers · asked by mike matusow 1 in Health Mental Health

31 answers

You're OK. You're just having a little panic attack. The only thing you have to fear is fear itself. Read "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill. He talks about changing negative thinking and turning it into positive thinking. There are support groups also. I would first try those before turning to medication. Medication just has side effects. You're young you can do it. I believe in you.

Contact me for more information

2006-08-20 08:28:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

why are you afraid? did you try something new in the past and it turned out badly? I would take some quiet time to yourself and revisit that situation. and then think really hard about the fact that just because it happened to you once, it does not mean that all new things will turn out this way. you're still alive right? of course you are!

next try something new! start off light at first maybe try something new once every month. start small with something like trying new foods, or switching to a new toothpaste. the little accomplishments will empower you.

when it comes to work you need to think hard about this as well. when you began the job you're currently in, you were new then. you got trained on the job, and now you do it well. don't be afraid to be the new person at work. when it comes to switching, try switching to a different company first before switching to a different profession all together. you'll be more comfortable in an industry you're already familiar with.

and hey, if things don't work out, don't stress about it honey. that is what life is all about. this is America after all. you can go anywhere and do anything if you just do it.

being afraid of trying new things is your in your mind. so in order to conquer this thing, you need to conquer your own thoughts and fears and stop letting these "thoughts" hold you back.

make medicine a last resort. psychiatrists always want to suggest some sort of pill for you to try. try medicating yourself naturally first. here's something new you can try, that will not turn out badly for sure: yoga. after your yoga class medidate on your other issues. you will be fine in no time!

god bless, good luck to you.

Monique

2006-08-19 14:12:28 · answer #2 · answered by Monique C 2 · 1 0

Look for a licensed therapist who has experience working with people with anxiety. Find someone comfortable to talk with. She or he can help you understand why you feel like this, help you improve your self-confidence, and give you a sounding board for what scares you. She/he can also help you figure out if you really need meds.

You can try reading your way through this, but having a real live person help is much more effective. You can go to your doctor for meds, but meds alone aren't the long-term answer. Most of the anxiety drugs can be addictive and have side effects. If you don't need them to process what's going on with you, they're more like a crutch than a solution.

Also, know that you just took the biggest step in beating this. You are accepting how you are and taking personal responsibility to improve yourself. That's something some people never figure out.

Good luck

2006-08-12 12:04:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

I would maybe go see a pysch doc who can help you understand why you are afraid and work in steps to get over it and prevent it from occuring in the future. Maybe something happened in the past or maybe you don't have confidence in yourself or maybe your upbringing taught you to be too afraid or something like. If that's true, then you need to work through those feelings and thoughts. If you jump into a big unknown situation and it doesn't work out,then it'll just confirm your fears and make it worse. So go see a doc, even once.

Life is too beautiful to be paralyzed by fear of the unknown. A life not lived to the fullest is a horrible life. So be proactive and do something. Good luck.

2006-08-12 11:10:33 · answer #4 · answered by Michelle 4 · 1 0

Okay, you could talk to a doctor, if you want to try that route...it may be medical. You could also try to list stuff that you're scared of - specifics, not generalities like 'everything' - and pick something small and ask someone to help you do something in that area...in small steps
Example: if fairs scare you, get a friend to walk by the fairground with you when the fair is not there. Then again when the fair is being set up. Then at different times during the fair, working your way up to entering the fair and participating.

It takes time, but can be worth it. Do what you think will work best - if it doesn't, you can always try another way, right?

Good luck!

2006-08-16 15:54:00 · answer #5 · answered by tydlywnks 2 · 0 0

I can understand perfectly, I am very much the same way. But not to the same extent. I have however on several occassions after recieving an invitation to something, told the person that I would go but later on I would end up not, mostly because it is unknown like you said.

Basically I have to force myself most of the time to break beyond it. I ended up waiting until I got fired from my last job to get out of it. I didn't even get fired on purpose (atleast consciously) I was just late too many times, they are even asking me to come back now I guess (lol). But I was sick of the job and not that disappointed to have lost it. I was out of work for 3 month's before I finally started to run out money and relised I had better get out there and find a new job.

Best advice I can give is when you feel paralyzed by fear when trying something new, is do it anyway. Try not to think about it.

2006-08-12 11:30:24 · answer #6 · answered by Justaguyinaplace 4 · 1 1

"I will not do anything that is unknown to me " ! You said !

So why did you go for Q & A ? ? ?

If you are not shy to expose your problem to the face of
the world , why don't you look at your own face in the
mirror ?
Nothing unknown , huh ?

But if you are afraid of your own face , just go see a doctor !

You don't know me , right ?
So , why are you asking for my help ?
If you fear the unknown , you should be scared of me !
Because you don't know me . . .

Therefore , your question doesn't make sense at all !

Have I made myself clear enough ?

Just stop smoking heavy stuff and everything will
be alright !
Otherwise , you will end up smoking the entire carpet !!!

If you really can't find any help , mail me !
I'll be there . . .
Good luck to you !

2006-08-12 11:28:16 · answer #7 · answered by In_Ze_Baba 5 · 1 1

Go to the nearest public library or book store and get a book called "The Power of Now", by Eckhart Tolle . If you start living in the NOW , you will have little time for thinking of the unknown. Not to worry you-but it's all unknown . Nobody is born with a crystal ball. Stop thinking so much . Stop being so hard on yourself. Relax and change your life by looking around and enjoying what is . .Surround yourself with the people that love you .Get a dog . Go for a walk . Smell the flowers .Get some "Calm" tea , by TAZO . Drink a few cups while you listen to "The Power Of Now" on CD's .Listen to it over & over until it sinks in. It will .When you let those creepy thoughts creep in , tell yourself : " nobody died" , "I can live through this".
"I will enjoy life".

2006-08-12 11:27:42 · answer #8 · answered by missmayzie 7 · 1 0

Sounds just like me. I have generalized anxiety disorder. I can totally relate to what you are saying. I get overwhelming anxiety trying something new. Once I have done it a few times, I conquer my fear of being scared, but trying something new for me can be pure torture.

I have the options of taking medicine, but what I really benefited from was going to the doctor, and hearing him tell me I have an anxiety issue. Not that I wanted to hear that, but it actually relieved a lot my anxiety, knowing that I was not going crazy or something. Now when I feel myself starting to fear something, I can occasionally talk myself 'out' of the fear. I think you should do that as well. Hope you feel better soon!

2006-08-18 17:34:14 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2 0

I would deffinately join a support group... Talk to your doctor because there are other people who are actually like this too... She or He may be able to recommend a group that meets with other people just like you, then they would have better techniques... Is this a problem you have had for a while? Also make sure this isn't a "control" problem... I have a family member who when ONE thing goes out of order in their schedule that day she freaks and panics and shakes... literally.. So yah make sure this isn't because u feel like you need control over something... and yah talk to the doc... the worse case that happens you'll get drugs ... :-) especially if you go to a D.O. not a M.D.. D.O.'s are the best for drugs :-)

2006-08-19 05:42:36 · answer #10 · answered by Carley 2 · 1 0

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