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Storm Phobia Panic!
Furu
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Okay, I'm going to make this simple, as the subject is embarrassing, but the amount of stress it gives me is far, far worse.
I am terrified of thunderstorms.
Not the average, normal kind. I'm talking 60 mph winds, hail, lightning hitting shit kind. And don't even get me started on tornadoes. This never used to be a problem until last summer, when the St. Louis area was hit with a massive thunderstorm that, at the time, I was convinced was going to kill me and everyone I ever cared about. I've lived in the midwest all of my 20 years, and I'd never seen anything like it.
Since then, whenever there are thunderstorms, my mood has gone from "a little jumpy" all the way to "oh god a tornado is going to come and murder me in the night".
There's a possibility of severe storms over night. Those are even worse for me, since they can wake me up, or set my house on fire while I sleep, and I don't have a damn person to talk to during it.
I guess the real reason I'm making this thread is to ask for help. Not just "what should I do about this", but a sort of...support group thing. People to talk me down when I start freaking out.
I know it doesn't seem like much but...
I am terrified of thunderstorms.
Not the average, normal kind. I'm talking 60 mph winds, hail, lightning hitting shit kind. And don't even get me started on tornadoes. This never used to be a problem until last summer, when the St. Louis area was hit with a massive thunderstorm that, at the time, I was convinced was going to kill me and everyone I ever cared about. I've lived in the midwest all of my 20 years, and I'd never seen anything like it.
Since then, whenever there are thunderstorms, my mood has gone from "a little jumpy" all the way to "oh god a tornado is going to come and murder me in the night".
There's a possibility of severe storms over night. Those are even worse for me, since they can wake me up, or set my house on fire while I sleep, and I don't have a damn person to talk to during it.
I guess the real reason I'm making this thread is to ask for help. Not just "what should I do about this", but a sort of...support group thing. People to talk me down when I start freaking out.
I know it doesn't seem like much but...
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The chances of you actually dying or being injured in a storm is already very low, and can be further reduced by being prepared.
Edit: Also, have flashlights and one of those fluorescent battery powered lamps handy, along with bottled water and some non-perishable munchies in your safe spot in case you're trapped in debris while emergency workers look for you.
If you can, try to find something you really like doing and can get into during the storm. I can't promise this will make things 100% better (it doesn't for me) but it can help.
If this and anything else suggested in the thread don't help, I'd recommend seeing a psychiatrist. There's probably some medication that could help you during the storm.
This. It's like living in California if you are terrified of earthquakes (although that happens less often) or brush fires.
As for the moving thing, I was actually going to try and go to Chicago. It's a large urban area and I'm far more comfortable with the weather there than anywhere else in particular.
Anyway, I was looking at the storm watches and warnings to the west of us today and for a second, I honestly forgot why I'm afraid. I know logically the worst thing is my power goes out again, but regardless when we get a storm warning my stomach starts doing backflaps all over again.
Maybe it is a psychological problem worth seeing someone about.
It doesn't sound like anything you need treatment for, you are perfectly aware its irrational. Just focus on the fact you are comfortable and warm, and deliver yourself a steaming cup of schadenfreude when you think about any poor saps that are out walking in the rain.
That's the best feeling in the world.
I live near my grandparents and visit them often.
They're so indifferent about the weather no matter how bad I might as well be alone.
And thanks, guys, this is helping. Talking about it tends to, I think.
The radio isn't for news, it's to wake you up when a tornado is about 15 minutes away.
Before that, we've had about 3 trees in less than a 50-100 meter radius being hit, and a phone line.
I'm also starting to get a bit scared.
O_o I've lived in the midwest my whole life and a tornado knocked my house in half when I was a sophomore in high school. Anyway, it sounds like you should see a therapist or something, the likelihood of any of these things you're talking about happening are pretty comparable to that of a truck driving into your kitchen and killing your whole family at thanksgiving dinner. Yet you're not terrified every time you see or hear a truck.
I actually worked at work on Saturday. Also I went out on a date with a real life girl.
Can you like, permanently break the forums?
They're typically called "Weather Radios". Here's one from RadioShack.
I don't believe it - I'm on my THIRD PS3, and my FIRST XBOX360. What the heck?
Interestingly, couple weeks ago was driving in a thunderstorm, and a huge branch got knocked off a tree and it fell down about 15 feet in front of my new car as I was driving
B.net: Kusanku
While I'd love to have another PA'er here, I gotta tell ya, we get storms here too. Much less chance of tornadoes, though. Certainly if you live in the city or surrounding suburbs.
As for the actual fear, just realize there's nothing you can do to control the storm, but you can be prepared if anything does happen. Get a little emergency kit as was suggested, with a flashlight, water, some band-aids, or something. Get one for your place and one for your car.
If you feel nervous during a storm, just think smug thoughts that you're probably better prepared than 95% of your neighbors. Then just don't ever watch The Twlight Zone again.