T said, I know the things that happened to you as a child had a huge impact on you, and I'm not dismissing that, but I think this free floating fear comes from a very early time.
She said, I know you often don't believe how bad your mother was, but you exhibit classic emotional deprivation symptoms.
I said but what is there for a baby to be scared of?????
T said, well, like falling or being dropped. The free floating fear is based on those early fears and if you're not held enought, as you weren't, than that never gets processed, and you're afraid of the fear, afraid of you allow yourself to go into it, that you won't come out.
I asked what can help? Of course T replied with her usual response - we put words to those early experiences - I must admit, having talked a lot about it today, this evening I do have a 'shared' feeling, a feeling of someone being there. Maybe that's what she means, what was always missing.

[Skeezyks]

Thanks for sharing this, Mouse. Given that I also carry around allot of free-floating fear. it was interesting to read.

Thanks it chimes with me too, the baby's fears. I don't have the shared feelings though.

[gayleggg]

I , too, carry a lot of free floating anxiety but it didn't start until late in life so I don't think it stems from early childhood stuff but I can see how early childhood fears could be caused by what your counselor said. I just wonder if it could show up late in life.

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[AnaWhitney]

I found this very interesting to read. But can somebody explain to me what free floating fear is? Like how is it different from normal fear?

Originally Posted by AnaWhitney

I found this very interesting to read. But can somebody explain to me what free floating fear is? Like how is it different from normal fear?

Is always there, and attached itself to unconnected goings on. Where as normal fear comes from a connected going on.

[peaches100]

For me, free floating fear is like feeling an undercurrent of anxiety under the surface all of the time, but you don't know why it is there. It doesn't feel like it is connected to any specific problem. It feels like it is just THERE. It is an uncomfortable physical feeling. For me, it is usually in my solar plexus or intestines. Because it is under the surface, and is not as strong as outright panic or anything, if you stay busy with other things, you can almost not even notice it is there. But if you are quiet and try to be mindful, you will feel it. It also might keep you from falling asleep at night or wake up in the middle of the night. It is hard get rid of because you can't pinpoint what is causing it. For some people who have had a lot of stress and traumas in their life, this free floating fear is nearly always there. It feels normal to be keyed up and on guard. Sadly, then when you do have a few moments of feeling peaceful and happy and safe, that also makes you fearful, because then you feel like you are vulnerable and open, and any minute something bad could happen to take away that peace. At least that's how it feels for me. I've been diagnosed with GAD (among other things).