Anxiety and Stress Forum - Anxiety due to thoughts about animal cruelty

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Q: Anxiety due to thoughts about animal cruelty

asked by: TeaConnection on July 21st, 2009

New User

Physical neglect towards any being in this world, whether it be a human or an animal, is always unsettling. However, the thoughts of animals being cruelly mistreated has been creeping into the backdrop of my mind lately and I am not sure why. I just can't seem to get the thoughts out of my head, and it gets so bad to the point where I either cry or become really stressed. It is causing physical symptoms as well. These symptoms have been a loss of appetite, nausea, and sometimes a lack of sleep. I have taken some steps towards taking my mind off of these thoughts, such as writing, reading, walking, talking with somebody, or doing something productive. Sometimes it's just not enough. This has always been somewhat of an issue, but never to this severity. Usually the thoughts go away after a while. I recently watched the movie American Psycho for the first time and in the movie he kills a dog in an awful way and that image and noise of the dog yelping will not leave my head. I try to tell myself over and over that it was just a movie, but it still eats at me. Has anyone else ever had these difficulties? Or ones similar?

Replies(7)

YouAreSoGreat

replied on July 24th, 2009

Experienced User

there are some things you could do for orginizations to help animals and giving them food and medical needs. and yes... i think of it too and it is horrible since its really bothering you i wud suggest a phycologist and stay away from certain things that will make you think of cruliety. but look in to animal orginazations its a great thing to do

wendyrs

replied on July 24th, 2009

Supporter

I was going to suggest the same thing. I get really bothered when I see a neglected or abused animal on tv, etc. You know what has really been bothering me, there are advertisements on yahoo's page when I am in my mail that are constantly there. They are ads to help the animals. I have no problem helping the animals but it really gets depressing when you have to see the ads everytime I sign into my screen name on yahoo. They aren't pop up ads either that I can block. I've emailed yahoo but they don't care. I wanted to donate time at the animal shelter but my husband wouldn't let me because he felt that I would get too attached to the animals and couldn't handle it anything happened to them or seeing dogs come in abused. He's probably right. Giving them food and sometimes donating other things the shelter or organization needs can really help with those reacurring thoughts. It just shows that, like me, you love animals and have a big heart. I don't know how anyone can hurt an innocent animal. Our pets are just so full of unconditional love.

TeaConnection

replied on July 24th, 2009

New User

Thank you YouAreSoGreat. I've actually considered that, and now I think I'm going to take some action at an animal shelter and see what I can do. I know feeling as though I am reaching out to less fortunate animals will probably help me out a lot. Thank you for the suggestions. I really appreciate it.

deedeegirl

replied on August 5th, 2009

New User

I have suffered for most of my life with anxiety involving thoughts of animal suffering. I am plagued with it every day. I have sought therapy but found absolutely NO relief. I've heard that CBT (Cognitive Behavorial Therapy) is what I need but I am beyond terrified to face these fears I have. I truly suffer daily with these thoughts. The worst part is that I know that the things I imagine really do happen to animals. No amount of therapy will erase that from my thoughts.

W0LF

replied on August 6th, 2009

Extremely eHealthy

Hey TeaConnection
This doesn't sound like OCD or other obsessive disorder. Your anxiety seems to be grounded in something real that you have genuine feelings about, it's just very very high. Kind of like your conscience is roided out on anxiety and beating up your ego. I Think if you just volunteer a little of your time towards making a change for animals it will be huge for you. Working towards making a difference about thigns you care about can be remarkably theraputic, more-so than I ever imagined.

However if you find that your anxiety doesn't subside or intensifies, or if it shifts focus to a different focus in your life once you're doing something positive to help animals, it could be a sign that you need psychological assistance managing these feelings.

nastacha1

replied on August 6th, 2009

Experienced User

I agree with everyone else, why don't you join an organization. I'm a member of PETA. I also can't stand to see those commercials to donate on the tv.. i have to change the channel. Sometimes that bothers me a lot. I have to stop and realize that I have a house full of creatures that I love to death. I know that I saved their lives and they're very happy now living in a good home. You can't save them all so remember that you're still doing your part by just having a pet of your own. sun

gmoffett

replied on August 9th, 2009

New User

I've had similar problems: try to go easy on them. I'm a Buddhist and a vegetarian and sometimes the world has seemed just too cruel to me. But you won't go anywhere obsessing about those thoughts. Also try to watch calmer movies, don't beat yourself over it, you should relax first, reading, walking, exercising; things like that are definitely better than watching a silly movie like American Psycho (I found some parts of it a bit funny, I remember, that's about all I got from it). If you feel you really cannot relax on your own, maybe you could try a herbal remedy like kava (a highly reputable herb for anxiety, with little to no side effects; it is safe although it has gotten some ridiculous bad press over an industrial mistake), or acupuncture, or massage; whatever's better for you.
Best wishes (we're in this together).

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