For some reason as I've gotten older, I've become more fearful of everything. I never liked needles, but now if I were to go to the doctors and had to get a shot, I would literally walk right out of the hospital. Although I've flown on an airplane before, I now dread going on an upcoming 7-day vacation in Florida that I have to fly to. In fact, I don't like to go out to any event b/c I'm afraid of the unknown.
At what point did you realize that you were becoming a hermit and your fears start to take control of your life?
2006-09-01 05:51:42 · 20 answers · asked by King H 6 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
With age comes wisdom. The knowing of what "might" happen if you do something. Don't let your fears get the best of you. Remember - "As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil"
2006-09-01 06:01:54 · answer #1 · answered by krkretz 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
When I reached my late 40's early fifty's. At first I thought what is wrong with me? I never use to think this way! I have the same fears as you have about!
Listen to this......just like you, I had a trip planned to take a Cruise and I had to fly to Florida to pick up the Cruise ship. Well, as the date approached to get ready to go to the airport, my stomach started bothering me! I kept breaking out in a cold sweat, and my heart would start racing, all at the thought of flying! I hadn't even got on the airplane and I was already a nervous wreck! Flying, by the way, is not nor ever has been one of my favorite things to do. I rather travel by anything else accept an airplane.
You talk about needles!! Oh! My God! I am a real baby when it comes to that! I have had so many needles in my life that I can not count. Especially when it comes to going to the dentist. I can never go there without them giving me a needle for something!
It's a funny thing, but I now take a lot of thought when I am planning on going anywhere these days! If I can go by ground, I will go, even if it takes awhile. I will avoid flying at all cost!
Maybe this is normal at my age or not. I really don't care. All I know is that I am entering another phase in my life that I am told should be the best years of my life. If this is the case then I am going to make the most of it and travel however I like by what ever means I see fit!
2006-09-01 13:17:05 · answer #2 · answered by December Princess 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In some ways, yes, in some ways just the opposite.
For instance, before I never would have allowed a needle near me - now, since I have children, I know that a tetanus shot is really necessary, so I just do it. But things like planes - yep. I went from loving to fly to being absolutely petrified.
I would say, however, that if your life is being impacted by your fears, it may be time to see someone. Certain disorders can emerge as we age, and you may want to get a checkup. If you're literally becoming a hermit out of fear - you don't want to leave your house because you might get in a car wreck, or you don't want to go to the store because someone might be carrying bird flu - those are things you need to see someone about. That's not normal aging - best of luck to you.
2006-09-01 13:00:44 · answer #3 · answered by tagi_65 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I think that it comes from experiences. Some things I am actually less fearful of because I have had many good experiences with it. But if you continually have bad exoeriences, you begin to expect the worst with everything else. It's more of having a pessimistic attitude towards things after awhile. It doesn't have to be like that. Anxiety crops up as we get older too and have more demands on our time, looks, work, family. This is just ooverload and sometimes anxiety can become a cycle and you need treatment for it to get back to normal. I guess when we were younger, more naieve, thinking we are invincible and getting older realizing we are not!
2006-09-01 13:29:13 · answer #4 · answered by livelaughlove 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that as you get older, you become more aware of the consequences and outcomes of things...you lose the fearlessness that comes with being young and start to worry about death and injury...I don't know, I think there is usually a point in everyone's life where they don't regret what they did when they were young, but realize that they have become different and in their current circumstances, probably wouldn't do those things now because of the risk involved(i.e., many, many things I did in college). And yeah, as you mature and become responsible, you realize that your actions and their consequences have a more severe impact on your life. There isn't anything wrong with that.
But, when you become scared to do basic things--like going on vacation and going to the doctor--that enrich your life (everyone needs a vacation, it's important to stay healthy), you need to overcome these issues. You can't let your fear of the unknown debilitate you to such an extent because, frankly, a lot of things are unknown. If your life becomes just this fear induced state where you don't feel compelled to do ANYTHING, you really do need to speak with a mental health professional and try to figure out what exactly you are afraid of. Otherwise, your life is really going to become a wasted thing, and you are going to miss out on a lot of wonderful things. Good luck.
2006-09-01 13:06:53 · answer #5 · answered by LA 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I turned sixty-three in June and am very aware that my life is at least nearing the end. Perhaps I have twenty more years and perhaps I have one more day. I have actually found myself seeking all sorts of thrills from white water rafting to skydiving in an effort to cram as much in as possible before the end. I think it very possible that some people go in the other direction for the same reason, trying to protect themselves from the end by avoiding anything they percieve to be dangerous. Fact is we are much less likely to die from accidents than the dreaded "natural causes."
We are the only animal on earth that actually knows we ARE going to die. Dogs and cats and other creatures have no concept of death and so they live happily doing their own thing until it comes. They do not fear the end because they don't really concieve of the end. Wouldn't that be nice?
2006-09-01 13:37:58 · answer #6 · answered by Robert P 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not old (mid twenties) and I am experiencing the same problem.
I find that I am afraid to be in a car with another driver, I don't want to go out for various excuses, and I just prefer to stick to my daily routine and not venture out.
As far as when I realized I was becoming a hermit... I think it was when I read your question.
But really, what's wrong with being a hermit, unless you don't want to be afraid anymore. If that's the case, you need to face your fears and do the things that make you happy.
2006-09-01 13:04:41 · answer #7 · answered by princessin_bluejeans 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I became afraid when my house was broken into 4 separate times. No one was home,but I still had a very hard time feeling comfortable in my own home.I did the best I could to get back to normal,but I still don't let anyone in except for family. Part of me does not trust others as much as I used to. It makes me sad to have lost that part of myself, but everything happens for a reason. We did live like hermits for awhile afterward, but it was not healthy for my family we all need other people in our lives and if you never face your fears, they will take over. Take little steps and keep going forward. Good luck to you.
2006-09-01 13:07:22 · answer #8 · answered by need2knw 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First don't let people tell you that you are strange or need help. I used to be the same, loved to fly now I will not even try.Part of it is 9/11 some of it is I am A mother of three. I think the older you get the more careful you are even more if you have kids,because now you have more to beworried about and to live for. So pleas don't worrie.
2006-09-01 13:11:01 · answer #9 · answered by quitaquebluecat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES! when i was younger, i wasnt afraid of much. now im 29 and forget it. i have all kinds of fears and anxieties! its nuts and its only getting worse! im not afraid of needles still but other things bother me now that didnt before. flying, the ocean (and i live and have grown up on the water in florida), large crowds, etc. i dont like going to concerts anymore and most of the time id rather get take out and rent a movie than go out. even when the kids are away, my husband and i still stay in lol. i constantly worry about stupid things too. ....but i have to hide it cuz i have 2 boys and i dont want them to get scared :)
2006-09-01 13:03:55 · answer #10 · answered by tulips♥77 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you might have social anxiety - if you are concerned see a psychologist
also it doesnt help that our media and government pump fear into our culture 24/7
Just realize things arent as bad as they seem, and try to take a more positive outlook in life.
One day you will day, dont worry about it now!
2006-09-01 13:01:25 · answer #11 · answered by friskygimp 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋