How do I stop worrying all the time?------LONG

Nurses Stress 101

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Specializes in OB, Med-Surg.

I am a natural born worry wart. As much as I hate that fact, its one I can't deny. I blame it on the birth of my children!! I never used to worry much before them, but since I have been a mother I can't stop. It seems to be getting worse too. I am carrying this excessive worry into my job now too. I work a night shift and I am CONSTANTLY going in to check on the patients, because I am afraid they will stop breathing. ( its a med surg floor with not so sick patients. ) I try not to wake them up but some do, and they are getting tired of me.

My husband wants to take a vacation but I am too scared to fly now even though I have done it lots of times before. I am constantly in fear of losing my kids. I even wake up in tears some nights because the fear is so big. They are the best things to ever happen to me and I am so thankful they are here and maybe that is why I am so afraid? I question letting my daughter go skating, because what if she falls and breaks an arm? I worry about my son choking to death because he did get choked once, but ended up being ok.

I don't think anyone can take care of them as good as I do. I know its normal to worry some and bad things can happen, but it is getting ridiculous. I am fed up with myself. I am ready to take a plunge and jump out of a plane, and if I live through it, say, see that wasn't so bad.

I am not looking for medical diagnosis or anything of that sort. Just wondering if maybe there are worriers out there like me, and what do you do to settle it down so you can live without being scared all the time? I want my kids to be brave but how can I show them bravery when I am a big chicken? I don't want them to miss out on fun and travel either because mom is thinking of everything that might go wrong. Any help is so much appreciated!!!!! Thanks:(

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Specializes in rehab; med/surg; l&d; peds/home care.

I have been where you are, worrying about the same things. Afraid to let my kids play outside lest someone snatches them up. When a van drives slowly by them, I am scared.

You are not alone. Message me if you'd like to talk about it. For me, I needed help from a professional counselor and needed medication as well, and it did help to a degree. I would advise you, if you can't control the excessive worry yourself to seek out your doctor.

I am sorry I cannot help you more here. The TOS here doesn't allow us to give medical advice other than to encourage you to seek the opinion of your medical provider. However, like i said, please feel free to contact me if you'd like to talk with another person in your shoes.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Thread has been moved to the Health and Stress Management forum.

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Specializes in Geriatric/Psych.

You are not alone! I have been a 'worry wart' my entire life. Especially when I had my daughter. It was to the point she couldn't do anything for my fears and worries. It wasn't fair to her. My best friend finally got on me and told me that there is nothing I can do to stop KC from getting hurt at some point in her life. If I keep her from living, for my fears, she will end up resenting me. I didn't want that. I think about it this way.........if I let her do something and she ends up getting hurt or (God forbid) killed; i know at least she was having fun and LIVING.

I don't take risks in my life, and I don't do many fun things, because of my worry and fears........I really don't LIVE LIFE TO ITS FULLEST. But I'm not going to put my fears on to KC. I want her to LIVE. Its the most unselfish thing I can do for her.

Yes....it's hard! I just say my prayers to keep her safe, and let God take over. It really is out of my hands afterall. Have faith.

Once you do this, it gets easier to deal with. If I can help more let me know.:twocents:

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Specializes in Utilization Management.

My Christian faith helped me. A friend reminded me that nothing happens when we worry, so Jesus told us not to worry but instead, to pray. Worry doesn't change things but prayer can.

Matt. 6:27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

Matt.7:9-11"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

So every time I started worrying about something, I turned it into a prayer. Instead of my heart turning to jello inside of me, the praying made me feel confident that God was actively helping me and my family, that He cared about each of us.

Say what you will about my friend's interpretation of this scripture, but that was many years ago and the method worked for me, plus it made me feel as though as powerful Ally was on our side.

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Specializes in MDS coordinator, hospice, ortho/ neuro.

Ditto to all of what Angie said

+ the realiztion that we are not responsible for the function of the universe or almighty enough to make sure everything goes right.

Everything happens for a reason, even the bad stuff; and it doesn't happen according to our plans. God is in control.....we justneed to step back.

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