Anxiety and Stress Forum - What can I do to help minimize my fear?

Hello,
i feel like I am going through fear of being alone for the first time. Well...It started last week when I found out there was a break in near by where I live. I am married, and only feel comfortable when he is home. I can't tell if I have fear of being alone or I am just scared from the break in, but I have a lot of anxiety right now. I just wish this wasn't happening. I usually sleep in in the mornings and I can't sleep. I have a dog which helps my fear some, but am thinking about getting a security system...Am I nuts? We live in a safe neighborhood but I just wish I could convince my fear of that! What can I do ti help minimize my fear? Please help.

Replies(1)

Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov , MD

replied on May 2nd, 2006

Anxiety & Stress Answer A878

No, you are not nuts. Fear can be a psycho-emotive reaction to loss of control in our lives. It is a human trait that keeps us safe (fight or flight response)...but when out of balance, fear can take over our lives. First, you can ask for an expert help from a mental health professional. You can then examine whether or not psycho-therapy might be benefitial to you (group-therapy with relaxation-exercises). Finally, anxiolitics like diazepam and bromazepam OR Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) are used as pharmaceutical medications in cases of high anxiety..but these must be prescribed by a psychiatrist first. And just know that you are not alone!

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