Sometimes I start to think about all the suffering that goes on in the world and I just get so overwhelmed that I have a panic attack. I can't stop the thoughts (I try to pray but it doesn't always work) and it's just too much. Does this happen to anyone else? I just want to know I'm not alone...

[expressiveone]

Yes joannasouras, this happens to me all the time. I worry worry worry and when it gets started it is just a snowball effect. I've been going to therapy and the intern I have been seeing has suggested that I be kind to myself and not do this. I have no idea how that is possible when my mind just takes off. I am convinced that it is just a chemical imbalance and focusing on how not to do that just makes it worse. My doctor recently changed my meds so I am hoping that it will get better once I am at a theraputic dose. Do you have a t or a pdoc?

[venusss]

I am Miss Interconnected-with-the-world. And I study International relations! right now I am trying to get started with my thesis on interventions in Libya and Kosovo... and I admit, I did cry over it few times already.

Yeah... I do feel for the world and it tends to get overwhelming at times. But well, I do believe in fate and things happening for reason.... and as much as I say we should die "like a beautiful flower" (wonder if somebody gets the reference!)... I believe we, humans, will prevail in the end.

[missbelle]

Seems like its time to stop watching the news and reading the paper for a while! Not forever but just until you can deal with things better.

As you know you are no good to anyone when you are experiencing panic etc.You cannot help a soul or even you when you have that high anxiety.You must first take care of yourself before you can tackle other things.

"Look for the good. Focus on what's great about the world instead of what's wrong with it. If you look for reasons to be happy, then you'll find them. If you search for reasons to be unhappy, fearful, or sad, then you'll find those too. Perception determines reality."

Read more: How to Be Happy in a Sad, Sad World | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2054737_be-h...#ixzz1e5emRPRj

Sometimes because of our personalities, we are just sensitive to what is around us. This is not always good because it can distroy you. There has to be a compromise so the world, the news etc does not distroy you.I looked at that article. It may/may not help but I have been there. I was overwhelmed with saddness over things I could not control. You cannot control stuff thats out there. You have to take care of you!

They talk I think in the article about finding one cause to put your energy into.This way you are contributing, but not draining, all the energy in you over things beyond your control!!!

Take care of you first.....

Missbelle, thanks for the article.

Joannasouras, I don't watch the news, read the paper or look online. I avoid the media pretty much all together. I also don't watch many movies or tv shows unless they are feel good ones. It might seem counter intuitive but I think the less I watch this stuff the more I can give back, by being able to remain positive, loving and caring and continue to try to spread it around. I know what's going on in the world as other people talk to me about things. It just seems less damaging to my psyche this way. Actually when I was in an intensive group therapy for depression we were told to avoid different media sources.

[nicko9000]

Originally Posted by joannasouras

Sometimes I start to think about all the suffering that goes on in the world and I just get so overwhelmed that I have a panic attack. I can't stop the thoughts (I try to pray but it doesn't always work) and it's just too much. Does this happen to anyone else? I just want to know I'm not alone...

Perhaps you could try and help solve the problem? Donate to charity, volunteer etc? Nobody can save the world but everyone can do their bit.

Sorry to sound condescending, but prayer never works. Why do you think people who recieve no human help are still suffering? I have never seen an ethiopian village suddenly get flooded with food and resources out of nowhere, yet I am constantly reminded of the selfless, humanitarian actions of kind people around the world that have saved lives and built communities. If more people realised this I feel more would be done to help those who are in need.

[kindachaotic]

Sorry to sound so conflicting but saying something "never works" is a bit bold & one sided. Do I hate the fact that people are starving in Africa, yes absolutely. If I had the resources to GET to Africa I would love to help.

But... maybe my brain is wired different than yours. Even medicated I have social anxiety, panic attacks, mood swings, the usual... I do the BEST I can to pay my bills, buy food & gas, take my meds to keep me out of hosp.
This being said, it keeps American tax payers from having to pick my tab & that is the BEST I can do to contribute to my state & country.

I'm glad you can donate & volunteer. I am not there yet in my journey/struggle to do these things. At 54 yrs old having dealt with MI most of my life & only receiving help for the past 10 yrs, maybe you can cut me & a lot of others a break on jumping "out there" so fast & confident.

By the way, you say you are bipolar. What meds do you take? Do you have a T or pdoc? Just curious, maybe I could benefit from something you're doing.

[roads]

Originally Posted by kindachaotic

I'm glad you can donate & volunteer. I am not there yet in my journey/struggle to do these things. At 54 yrs old having dealt with MI most of my life & only receiving help for the past 10 yrs, maybe you can cut me & a lot of others a break on jumping "out there" so fast & confident.

I think we can cut everyone on PC & online self-help communities like it a break. After all, we are all here as volunteers, helping each other in our search for healing & recovery.

This discussion started with joannasouras' concern with worldwide suffering & her feeling overwhelmed by it. We've mentioned a number of ways of dealing. I don't think this is something we can prescribe for others because it is so personal, sort of like telling someone whom to date.

My way is a very small one. I try to do something only about what's right in front of me. My grouchy neighbor no one can stand? I speak to her. The man at work who causes everyone problems? I take him on.

I know I can't save the world. If I can take the pressure off a stressed-out mom in line at the grocery by occupying her kids, I've made my tiny corner a little more peaceful for a while. I'll take that as a win.

[venusss]

But... maybe my brain is wired different than yours. Even medicated I have social anxiety, panic attacks, mood swings, the usual... I do the BEST I can to pay my bills, buy food & gas, take my meds to keep me out of hosp.

I have social anxiety and bipolar... but that does not stop me. Social anxiety can be overcomed/worked around.

YOu can start with smaller projects or random acts of kindness and slowly move onto big things. For me it is sense I done something and have chance to do more in the future that keeps me alive.

Originally Posted by expressiveone

Yes joannasouras, this happens to me all the time. I worry worry worry and when it gets started it is just a snowball effect. I've been going to therapy and the intern I have been seeing has suggested that I be kind to myself and not do this. I have no idea how that is possible when my mind just takes off. I am convinced that it is just a chemical imbalance and focusing on how not to do that just makes it worse. My doctor recently changed my meds so I am hoping that it will get better once I am at a theraputic dose. Do you have a t or a pdoc?

I have a pdoc and he says that I need to see a therapist to work on this.

The thing is, I don't even watch the news or read the paper!! I just start thinking about things I know about (I won't mention them here so no one else gets upset) and it's too much. You've all had very good ideas and I will try to put them into use

[venusss]

Originally Posted by joannasouras

The thing is, I don't even watch the news or read the paper!! I just start thinking about things I know about (I won't mention them here so no one else gets upset) and it's too much. You've all had very good ideas and I will try to put them into use

I personally don't like the "don't watch the news" advice. Do watch the news. Do learn your sources. As much as it is bad, Al Jazeera, for example will not talk of sky falling. Your friends may when they are talking of the events.

Seriously, just avoid the sensationalist news sources and crazy columnists, and you will be fine. News is not that bad - I found out that how people interpret it is much worse usually. I study international relations... and I sat through few family reunions where politics was discussed.

I believe one can desenitize themselves (after all, we done it on societal level, look how suicide bombers over there don't bother us anymore...). But you can do it on healthy level. You can watch the mess around, but realizing world was always mess, it's just now they stream it and tweet it. But it is more or less the same... and we as humanity lived.

And by putting yourself out there... one feels less guilty and powerless.

I wasn't so much talking politics as much as talking about my local news for me in my case. Example, on Halloween night a horrific event happened in my community. Everyday since it ha been the headline of not only our local news but country wide. I can't avoid seeing the cover of the newspaper on my doorstep. But all it did was made me feel terrified to leave my home.

[ohlala]

I volunteer at a no-kill cat sanctuary and foster cats in my home, and I can't stand to read or listen to things which specifically deal with animal or child mistreatment and creulty. For some reason, hearing about crime (like murders involving adults) doesn't really move me, but everyone knows the TV has to be muted if it deals with kids or animals. I just have a viseral reaction as well as a panic attack and want to vomit and pull my hair out.

Originally Posted by ohlala

I volunteer at a no-kill cat sanctuary and foster cats in my home, and I can't stand to read or listen to things which specifically deal with animal or child mistreatment and creulty. For some reason, hearing about crime (like murders involving adults) doesn't really move me, but everyone knows the TV has to be muted if it deals with kids or animals. I just have a viseral reaction as well as a panic attack and want to vomit and pull my hair out.

animal abuse is one of my biggest triggers. i know exactly what you're talking about

[roads]

Originally Posted by VenusHalley

I believe one can desenitize themselves (after all, we done it on societal level, look how suicide bombers over there don't bother us anymore...). But you can do it on healthy level. You can watch the mess around, but realizing world was always mess, it's just now they stream it and tweet it. But it is more or less the same... and we as humanity lived.

And by putting yourself out there... one feels less guilty and powerless.

You are truly graced if you are able to submit yourself to the desensitizing process, know when you have reached a "healthy level," and are able to stop it there. The vast majority of us aren't able to even come close to that, I don't believe.

I think anyone fed a steady diet of "news & information" by today's media has a very difficult time avoiding overload. As this feeding has moved from print, which required filtering through the translating brain into thought & ideas, straight to sense stimuli, the difficulty of shutting off or even slowing down the incoming stream (flood?) has skyrocketed.

By putting myself "out there" for the sensory stimuli to pummel, i don't really feel "less guilty and powerless." I just feel less.