Anxiety due to thoughts about animal cruelty (Page 1)
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Anxiety and Stress
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?
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First Helper runnit
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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ur post
I know your post is old, but your words are my sentiments, exactly. I don't know how to deal anymore. Have you made any progress? please message me if so
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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.
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.
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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. 
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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).
Best wishes (we're in this together).
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help =(
I am so glad that I am not the only one that has this. Nobody understands what I go thru when I hear a sad story or see a commercial about an abused animal. I try to help as much as I can, but it never seems like enough. I have struggled with this my entire life. As I get older, the feelings seem to get worse. I have considered therapy, but I wonder if it will help?
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I know this is an old post but I have recently had the same problem of depression and anxiety of some animal cruelty i have seen online. In particular involving a video of a puppy being burned to death.
I could not sleep for days and cried heaps after seeing this.
It is hard to think how anyone can EVER do these kind of things and I think how you can get revenge on these sorts of people.
But I was once told to "Be the change you want to see in the world"
That gives me a little hope and i am considering going to help out in animal shelters.
I could not sleep for days and cried heaps after seeing this.
It is hard to think how anyone can EVER do these kind of things and I think how you can get revenge on these sorts of people.
But I was once told to "Be the change you want to see in the world"
That gives me a little hope and i am considering going to help out in animal shelters.
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To the person describing the puppy video --- WHY???
Oh my goodness, I too suffer from intrusive thoughts of animals, especially dogs and cats being abused. Someone above mentioned that the worst thing for them is that these things ARE happening, and that there is no therapy for that.
I have a small request: What you mentioned above about the puppy really, really bothered me and hurt me. We are all on here posting our pain about intrusive thoughts about animals being abused. I'm just curious as to why you would feel the need to describe a video that you saw, with such detail? I came on this website for HELP. I avoid any videos or anything with any abuse. I felt SAFE coming here to this site. The last thing I wanted to read was your description of the puppy video. Just sayin.... It's almost like you wanted to share your misery with us. Misery loves company, I guess. Can we not just stick to sharing that we all can relate to HAVING these thoughts, but maybe not describe them? Now I'm stuck on that puppy you described in the video! Really, why the hell did you have to write that down? I don't get it.
I have a small request: What you mentioned above about the puppy really, really bothered me and hurt me. We are all on here posting our pain about intrusive thoughts about animals being abused. I'm just curious as to why you would feel the need to describe a video that you saw, with such detail? I came on this website for HELP. I avoid any videos or anything with any abuse. I felt SAFE coming here to this site. The last thing I wanted to read was your description of the puppy video. Just sayin.... It's almost like you wanted to share your misery with us. Misery loves company, I guess. Can we not just stick to sharing that we all can relate to HAVING these thoughts, but maybe not describe them? Now I'm stuck on that puppy you described in the video! Really, why the hell did you have to write that down? I don't get it.
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i too have the same thing and i am actually going to see the doctor tommorow as its ruining my life ..i dont want to stop caring but i do need to seek help as i am suffering anxiety attacks everyday and im so glad i came across here as i am not the only person in the world like this ..
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it seems there are quite a few of us that feel so down about animal cruelty. i really try not to dwell on it and only look at images i think i am strong enough to handle. i try to help out in little ways - i have done dog fostering, would only have rescue animals and try to spread the word about animal rescue. do the best you can, and look after yourself - you wont be able to help anyone or anything if you dont help yourself first. we have to be strong to overcome the nastiness in this world, but there are a lot of us out there. take care xxx
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Hey to all the animal lovers out there! Wow, was I ever so happy to come across this post and know that I'm not alone (although I wish for all of us some relief). I have such a hard time with repetitive and consistent horrible thoughts about how many animals are being abused. I get overwhelmed with a hopeless feeling that is not easy to shake. Right now, there is a case of animal neglect across the street from us and I am in the process of reporting it right now....very sad and makes it difficult to sleep at night.
Thank u all for the courage to admit your anxieties and make ppl in similar positions like me, feel less alone.
Has anybody come across a support group for this type of anxiety?
Thanks! Cheers to all the wonderful animal lovers out there!
Thank u all for the courage to admit your anxieties and make ppl in similar positions like me, feel less alone.
Has anybody come across a support group for this type of anxiety?
Thanks! Cheers to all the wonderful animal lovers out there!
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Hi AngJack,
I just joined this forum tonight and I see that your post was written in May, but I just wanted to say hello and sure hope TO GOD that you reported the animal abuse across the street from you. Please, please don't describe what is happening there. We are all on this forum for help and I mentioned above that we don't need to go into detail what our thoughts are, or what we've seen. One person above wrote about a video she saw about some cruel thing happening, and the way she described it really hurt me. I came on this site for help so why the hell would someone share exactly what they saw?! I don't get that. Anyway, I sure hope that whatever animal was getting neglected across from you got the help it deserves. Please, stand up for those that can't speak for themselves!
I just joined this forum tonight and I see that your post was written in May, but I just wanted to say hello and sure hope TO GOD that you reported the animal abuse across the street from you. Please, please don't describe what is happening there. We are all on this forum for help and I mentioned above that we don't need to go into detail what our thoughts are, or what we've seen. One person above wrote about a video she saw about some cruel thing happening, and the way she described it really hurt me. I came on this site for help so why the hell would someone share exactly what they saw?! I don't get that. Anyway, I sure hope that whatever animal was getting neglected across from you got the help it deserves. Please, stand up for those that can't speak for themselves!
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Me too....
Like all of you, I have suffered from the anxiety of the thoughts and reality of animal cruelty. Today is a bad day and I have no idea why. Well, I did see a pic of elephants in a circus in Mexico recently and that is probably what it is. For those of you that suffer as I do, I will NOT describe it so that I don't add to your suffering. I donate thousands to animal organizations every year. I see one in need after a big animal cruelty seizure and I send a few thousand dollars. Yet I get no relief. I ask my friends to participate and get no relief. I preach respecting all living creatures daily and get no relief. It seems I am just feeling like I can't do enough and can't stop it so I beat myself up over it. I absolutely can not donate my time to these worthy organizations as it would destroy me to see what they see. So what does a person do? I just don't understand why the world is so cruel to the most innocent of lives.
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Obsessive thoughts about animal suffering
Hi Everyone! I have been suffering from the same intrusive thoughts about animal suffering all my life and it's getting worse lately... I'm so relieved to read that I'm not alone in this. I have saved, helped, rescued a lot of animals in my life. Everytime I see an animal in need of help, I help him or her. I feel like it's my purpose on earth and every time I can help, I feel a bit better, for a while, but then I remember all the others that I'm not helping wether I could or not and I'm totally distressed again... Every information about animal suffering is a terrible blow to my mind for days, weeks or even years. I know that this suffering is part of who I am and in a way it makes me a good person, because I care and I help, but sometimes I really would like to suffer less and to be able to enjoy simple things like almost everybody else... Anyway, I'm glad you're all here. Love to all of you.
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Hello and I am so glad to have come accross this forum. I am sitting in my office at work crying after seeing a news report on animal abuse. I turned it off but I wasn't fast enough to not see some of the horrible footage. Now I can't get it out of my head and I can't stop crying. My therapist tells me that I am doing what I can to help animals and that I should stop thinking about things that I have no control over. But I feel SO SAD for that animal and while I know I can't help that particular animal, my heart is still breaking for what it suffered. If anyone ever finds a way to cope with this, please post. And thanks to everyone who has posted thus far...it is helpful to know other people are so affected by this too.
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I was wondering, is everybody here a woman? Vegetarian or vegan? Suffering from social anxiety? General anxiety? Loving animals more than human beings in general? Because it is my case and I can usually get a little better with these horrible thoughts with Xanax (and alcohol too I must admit even if I'm not proud of it, but sometimes it helps - at least to sleep and forget for some hours). It also helps me to take care of my six rescue cats and to pray for all of the animals. I also avoid at all costs to read or see things about animal cruelty, because I know I cannot handle it and about that, I must tell you all that, in my opinion, you really shouldn't try to work for an animal shelter if you are like me, because it will totally destroy you to see all this suffering. Make donations instead like I do. It will help the people who are psychologically able to work in a shelter and also help the animals there and it will make you feel better and not worse.
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I don't know what's going on with all these people joining just so recently, but I too struggle with this, and what I've realized throughout my internet surfing is that so many people deal with this. I'm a crazy guinea pig fanatic and I just can't bare (bear?) these horrible thoughts that come into my head. Will keep checking in on the thread.
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Vegan is the way to end animal cruelty
I am a proud vegan and I know in my mind that I am saving a lot of animals every year by not consuming any animal products not even clothing!
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i feel 4 u all must be so hard remeber if u see a doctor thyre NOT gonna put u away or anything it might just need drugs treatment or counselling pls dont worry
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| Tags: Anxiety, animal, anxiety and stress, stress anxiety, symptoms, american, nausea, Stress, sleep, loss | ||
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