If you think you are a member of Worry Warts Inc., there are some credentials which will identify you as a likely participant.
Worried people say the following:
I can’t stand the wait, it’s killing me.
These things pop into my mind and take over my thoughts.
People tell me I’m a worry wart.
I worry about my health and think there is something wrong.
Most of the things I worry about never happen
I get all tied up in knots and sick with worry.
I procrastinate because I am unsure how to proceed.
Maybe I’m a hypochondriac.
I have this feeling something bad is going to happen.
I never believe compliments I get.
I can’t stand to be around artificially cheerful people.
I think bad news is just around the corner.
I get upset with any little criticism.
I’m always needing people to reassure me.
I worry so much my heart pounds and I start sweating.
I always think other people are more intelligent and capable than me.
I cop out when I think I can’t do the job I should.
The hardest part for me is to get started with something new
I can’t stand for my plans to be interrupted and get very upset.
I stew over things and keep replaying them in my mind.
There are things you do or do not do to cope with life.
I can’t sleep for worry and my face shows it.
I fidget and move around a lot.
I drink or take drugs when I’m worried.
I flinch when someone touches me unexpectedly.
My hands shake when I am tense.
I get startled easily.
I am quick to sharply criticize others, then feel bad.
I avoid people who are loud and boisterous
I avoid people who don’t follow the rules.
I hate to shake hands because my hands are clammy.
I have stage fright and can’t be in front of a group.
I’m always checking and rechecking if I locked the door.
I have fears of going on planes, elevators, and high places.
I keep asking people for their opinions to see if I am on the right path.
If you interrupt what I am doing, I will let you have it.
Then there are things which make you really concerned about your worry level:
I have panic feelings and can barely breathe.
I fear that I am going to totally lose control.
In a group I get feelings of smothering or choking.
Sometimes I think I am really going crazy.
I get tingling feelings and think I have something very wrong.
I’m a nervous wreck and I need to just stay at home.
Every day I have fear and think I can’t keep going this way.
I’m not rational about my health and keep thinking I’m dying.
I keep going over and over the same problem again.
I can’t stop telling people how worried I am.
I’m a nervous wreck most of the time.
If you see yourself here or see someone you love, you need to know that no one should have to go through life this way, thinking these things, unable to really live life. There are better ways to handle severe worry than to just put up with it. I want you to understand that there are some advantages of worry: for example, by thinking of all the things that could go wrong you can plan a strategy to avoid them. So I am not telling you I will help erase your tendency to worry completely. I do intend to help you worry only when it’s wise and when it can help you get what you want out of life. More to come in the next blog. If you think these blogs are helping and wish to help keep them going, a small donation will help.
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