I've been dealing with really deep fear my whole life.. Lately, it's hit me every time I think about getting a job - I haven't been working for a few years due to illness.

When the dread hit me again yesterday, I asked myself 'What do I need to get over it?' and heard 'I need a friend.. Someone who won't judge me.. Who'll only listen!'

Then a thought came to me - what I'm really afraid of is life itself! And I'd just like to be heard here.. Not told to do what scares me, not told to ignore my fear.. Just - heard.. Just an 'OK. You're scared of life - I hear you.' Maybe even an 'I am too' or 'I'm not because..' In fact, that'd be perfect - that my sharing how I feel would prompt others to do the same! Then we'd be connecting, on an emotional level..

[Angelique67]

Hi, what do you think is your main thing to fear about a job? I have been afraid of life for a long time and, in the meantime, I got much older. Haha.

If you're afraid of death, try to remember your coping skills, if you have them. And let it go, because everyone is afraid of death.

And remember, the disco guys succumbed first.

Hi Angelique, thank you for your input

I think I just 'need' to be scared of something all the time.. If it wasn't the job thing, it'd be something else. I think this comes from not being 'allowed' to be scared as a kid.. My mum didn't want to acknowledge that I was absolutely terrified of my dad because then she would have had to see him as he was, too - but she only wanted to see what he could be..

I think this left me with this anger that 'I should have been heard!' And my whole life, the fear keeps getting repeated, and I keep telling people I'm afraid, and they keep telling me to ignore it or think it away.. Whereas I want to own all of my feelings. Just let them be and exist and share them so they'll flow out of my body. Denying them or trying to fix them only keeps them locked up inside, and they keep coming to the surface over and over again..

[sunnydisposition]

Im terrified of death, not death itself, but the idea that id never be able to realise my dreams, have a house, a loving wife, adorable kids and feel the love present in this universe. I am afraid of missing out on life.

I hear you, Ravdeep Singh

I've been really afraid of death as well, and actually had to face this fear this summer when I had a cancer scare. I found that talking out my fears really helped

[sunnydisposition]

i've had a similar experience as well. Ever since then, i have this constant fear hanging over my head that life is so fragile, today everything is okay and tomorrow it could all be over. I am going through the same thing as you are, health anxiety. Our brain assumes the worst will happen. its scary. ive started meditating, its helping. Learning to live in the present moment. I feel that we have to embrace our fears if we want to make it. Im reading this book "Fear by Nich Nhat Hanh", its like a guide to making peace with your fears.

[Angelique67]

Originally Posted by not.dead.yet

Hi Angelique, thank you for your input

I think I just 'need' to be scared of something all the time.. If it wasn't the job thing, it'd be something else. I think this comes from not being 'allowed' to be scared as a kid.. My mum didn't want to acknowledge that I was absolutely terrified of my dad because then she would have had to see him as he was, too - but she only wanted to see what he could be..

I think this left me with this anger that 'I should have been heard!' And my whole life, the fear keeps getting repeated, and I keep telling people I'm afraid, and they keep telling me to ignore it or think it away.. Whereas I want to own all of my feelings. Just let them be and exist and share them so they'll flow out of my body. Denying them or trying to fix them only keeps them locked up inside, and they keep coming to the surface over and over again..

Hi, ndy. I have no idea what I meant about the disco guys. But I'm sorry if I told you not to be afraid. That doesn't help anything.

[omgkillthemeteors]

i hear you and i have agoraphobia

[OneInBillions]

I hear you. I'm really terrified of finding a new job, even though I know I NEED to. For one thing I absolutely HATE feeling judged so interviews are the worst for me. And I've always had this intense fear of being "chained" to a desk, where life basically turns into an endless string of "grayed-out" days and nothing happens, nothing matters. I actually lived that hell for five straight years, right out of university, and it led to a mental breakdown. I can't do that again.

I'm also a little afraid of life, just because I can't see myself fitting any of the "molds" that society casts for people -- and again, I don't want to feel judged because of it. I don't want a wife or kids, and I can't seem to find a career that won't drive me crazy. What else is there? I mean I'm enjoying life for now by just living in the moment and not worrying about the future -- but I know that a lot of people would call me 'irresponsible' or 'pathetic' or whatever else for living this way. But then, who are they to dictate how I should or shouldn't live?

[handheart]

This its fear iin your subconstient mind that stop you to act .Start by practicing autosugestion to change your subconstient paradigm .Repeat everyday that you are a very courageos person .The secret to influence your subconstient mind its to repeat with emotion and with confidence

[Kay8010]

I am currently suffering from severe Health Anxiety and everything scares me, I am also currently undergoing tests which could be cancer.

I am scared of what lies beyond when we die.......I also dont want to leave this world without doing everything I wanted to, the thought of the world going on without me makes me very depressed.....

[Yours_Truly]

I feel afraid of everything about life as well right now, well for a long time now, especially getting a job. I'm afraid I'm becoming agoraphobic. I keep telling myself I need to do small baby-step exposure, but I can't help but think how much easier it would be if only I had a friend to do it with. Or a therapist, but good luck with that when not able to afford anyone in private practice.

[nicoleflynn]

Originally Posted by OneInBillions

I hear you. I'm really terrified of finding a new job, even though I know I NEED to. For one thing I absolutely HATE feeling judged so interviews are the worst for me. And I've always had this intense fear of being "chained" to a desk, where life basically turns into an endless string of "grayed-out" days and nothing happens, nothing matters. I actually lived that hell for five straight years, right out of university, and it led to a mental breakdown. I can't do that again.

I'm also a little afraid of life, just because I can't see myself fitting any of the "molds" that society casts for people -- and again, I don't want to feel judged because of it. I don't want a wife or kids, and I can't seem to find a career that won't drive me crazy. What else is there? I mean I'm enjoying life for now by just living in the moment and not worrying about the future -- but I know that a lot of people would call me 'irresponsible' or 'pathetic' or whatever else for living this way. But then, who are they to dictate how I should or shouldn't live?

Why would you want to fit in anyone's "mold"---Be who you are. Everyone else is busy living their lives....Be yourself.

[Aussie sheepdaze]

Originally Posted by Kay8010

I am currently suffering from severe Health Anxiety and everything scares me, I am also currently undergoing tests which could be cancer.

I am scared of what lies beyond when we die.......I also dont want to leave this world without doing everything I wanted to, the thought of the world going on without me makes me very depressed.....

You have captured my thoughts/feelings exactly. I'm hyper vigilant all day every day and am consumed in deep fearful anxiety and depression to the point where I can't function and didn't and ended up with a complete nervous breakdown with hospitalization. Some days I just feel able to get by, most days there's sadness and despair.