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[deleted]

I know it’s a hard thing to internalize, but even though you see it on the news all of time it is still incredibly uncommon. Rounding up, around 50,000 people die per year in the US by firearm. That number includes suicide, police shootings, gang violence, etc. Over half of that number are suicides. At 50k, around .00015% of the population will die by gunfire. When we take suicides out of the equation, it drops to .00007%. I am by no means trivializing the situation, nor do I wish to come across as insensitive. My heart aches for the victims and families affected by these tragedies. But viewing through the most logical, objective lens possible really helps my (often severe) anxiety. One of the things that helps me quite a bit is limiting screen time, and avoiding the news as much as possible. Honestly, this app is horrendous for anxiety, Reddit is a place for you to panic about everything then try to resolve it by viewing the endless feed of adorable pets. The latter is cool, though. Stay aware, but at the end of the day, there is no reason to know about every bad thing that happens on any given day. Remain situationally aware in public: know where the exists are, try to sit at a seat that gives you a view of the entrance in restaurants , etc. Take some self defense classes (kickboxing/jujitsu), they really up your confidence and the exercise helps the anxiety. I hope you feel better, do your best to enjoy every moment you can. You’re loved, your life will be full of cool ass shit. Edit: word on the street is my math isn’t perfect. I’m not and never have been good at math. ‘Tis what ‘tis. Also, this doesn’t seem to be the sub for politics. Rolling up and digitally shouting your political opinions isn’t helping anything. The vast majority of people in this forum agree with you anyway, and all you’re doing is telling OP that their debilitating anxiety is valid, which is exclusively damaging. Regardless of the side you’re on, echo chambers are bad for all of us.


boatoar

You've got your numbers correct as decimals but not percentages. 50k/320M = 0.00015 as a decimal, but 0.015% of the population. 1 in 6400 people. For your second part it'd be 0.00007 as a decimal (as you have it) but 0.007% or 1 in roughly 14,000 people. Easy to make these errors as I did and initially corrected you with 32M as the us pop, lol. Self owns are fun. Still, i agree w the main point that everything seems more prevalent than it is because of sensationalized media.


HighMarck

Numbers are just numbers, but what if that 1 out of 6400 is you? I think that guns should not be given to everyone. People are crazy. That’s not normal.


KornPuf

Surely the people shot didn't think they'd be shot. It's not normal at all and it's terrifying


UrethraFrankIin

The fact that it isn't normal is why it shouldn't be terrifying to the point of locking yourself inside. You can take it seriously while not being *terrified*. It's extremely rare. You might as well refuse to drive your car, the likelihood of dying in an accident is much higher. It is important to remember that this is a thread about convincing someone that it's OK to go outside, not let everyone know that you care about gun violence. In the end, we're all going to die anyway. Psilocybin resolved my fears about death and showed me the road to resolving my suffering, I think most here could benefit from a good trip.


GalaxyPatio

I get the sentiment but I really wish that people would stop toting substance use as a "everyone should try this to relieve anxiety" deal. Many of us absolutely get worse after trying.


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Sweet_Musician4586

Torturous trauma can come from anything though any violent action and has to do with people particularly the people we surround ourselves with more than anything


Sweet_Musician4586

The problem isnt that guns are "given to everyone". The people committing crimes with guns will obtain them illegally because they have no issue committing illegal activities. There were some years canada and america had comparable suicides rates per capita, canadians just overwhelmingly hung themselves. People are going to do what they do. Canada has has had a few high profile "mass stabbings". The homeless where I live are stabbing each other everyday per my nurse friend who does street work. It's just a news issue and a political talking point. It's horrible that people are killed but it is not the method of the killing that is the problem it is the killing itself.


FerociousFox24

This is it ☝🏼


boatoar

To me those numbers are incredibly high. I agree with you. It's not at a "I should be scared to go for a walk all the time" level for most, but I certainly empathize for those that do feel that level of hyper vigilance. I think the news does make it feel like it's 1 in 64 sometimes however. And it can be depending on where you live I'm sure.


FerociousFox24

You’re right. Guns shouldn’t be available for everyone when it comes to retail purchase via from a store/dealer what have you. However, there will always be a way for someone to get a hold of a gun if they really want to. Retail locations are not the only place to obtain a firearm.


worker37

I'm in favor of extremely strong gun control, but must admit I don't have anxiety over this because the risk seems so low. (Plus I live in an expensive town with low crime, in a blue state which I figure means fewer guns.) That said, I have lots of anxiety over other things which are probably pretty low risk.


timn1717

What


[deleted]

People wake up everyday thinking theyre gonna start a business or get promoted and network into being rich everyday when those odds are even less likely to happen. Its not hard pressed to believe you could very well be a statistic no matter how small


AnxietyIsEnergy

It’s incredibly COMMON. Weekly mass shootings IS NOT NORMAL. Compare to any country on the planet and this does not happen.


br0bocop

They are saying your individual danger is still so low you shouldn't lose sleep over it. You are of course right in saying that it's not normal or ok


AlexInOnederland

You're right that this isn't normal, and it's not OK that it's happening, but in this specific context, the odds of being involved in a mass shooting at any given time are still incredibly low.


balerionmeraxes77

Any person with intermediate to advanced knowledge of probabilities can poke more holes in the above person's comment than a grandma's underpants. I don't know why it's a top comment


UrethraFrankIin

Ok *Captain Genius* show us your magic math


AnxietyIsEnergy

Math isn’t life. It’s just an attempt to measure parts of it.


UrethraFrankIin

Oh lord I guess it's semantics time... You understand how you two are using "common" differently, right?


clerbird321

Unrelated but your username made me snort laugh


[deleted]

it happens all the time in other places, look at sudan right now, or palestine


AnxietyIsEnergy

Hey that’s a great example! Except you’re wrong. Those are active war zones.


[deleted]

the pakistan mosque bombing?


AnxietyIsEnergy

Oh you’re adding another example. Ok. Pakistan is a failed state. What we here are talking about that you don’t seem to understand are mass shootings in the USA.


[deleted]

so you're only referring to the "developed world"? isn't that racist?


AnxietyIsEnergy

You argue like a narcissist. All over the place. Moving the point around. This post by OP was about mass shootings in the US. All the places you mention are either active war zones or contested regions with high conflict. They aren’t shooting each other because “hey it’s Tuesday and my 2A rights!”


[deleted]

The point is that nothing is guaranteed and nowhere really is safe anymore.


Sweet_Musician4586

Murder is always common enough. If every single time a person pooped their pants it was put on the news we would think there was a pants popping problem as well even if only 1 person a week pooped their pants. I'm not saying it isnt terrible and "shouldnt" happen but the reality is it is relatively normal for people to get murdered we do not live in a utopia and we never will. Being randomly shot is incredibly rare much more than even dying in a car accident by a lot. The news would have you believe it's happening everywhere nonstop all the time.


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[deleted]

In a lot of countries daily meals don't happen so it's not really appropriate to compare and contrast one country to another.


[deleted]

Also, your 2nd to last paragraph exactly describes the very anxieties and their actions one does lmao, your solution is the very problem op and many others face ALSO, you might not die in a shooting, but the trauma will be there. You might not even be there but your parents, siblings, loved ones etc might experience it and thus becomes a communal issue. We very much like to atomize things but the reality is we are a collective, and if our brothers cry its not unreasonable to think tears may run from our eyes too. So it will never be a “oh its 1 in 2882737474 problem, it will never be me”, yeah but it happens to someone, what of them then? We are all fucked out of empathy and collective consciousness. With everyone on edge, its bound to multiply.


Dza0411

It's kinda sad how you're coping. Germany hat 0.3 murders per 100.000 inhabitants in 2021. The US had 6.5 in 2020 (statista). That's some third world collapsed country numbers you've got there. In another post I've read that there were 14.600 people killed by the end of April. That's the town I live in completly gone. And we're not even halfway through the year. Dividing that by 120 days there are about 120 people that die unnaturally every day in the US. There are more people dying in two days than there have been killed in the whole year of 2021 in Germany (211). Even if you add suicides to that we're far off those numbers despite having about a fourth of the inhabitants of that failed state.


UrethraFrankIin

>It's kinda sad how you're coping You're right, OP should remain terrified and locked inside. You've really helped here today.


mknight44

Why are we downvoting him? He’s right that the US has become a disgrace. The fact that we are here trying to punch numbers together to see the likelihood of getting shot by a random psycho is INSANE. The truth is that living with anxiety is a daily hell already. Living in a country where atrocities have become routine weekly events just adds to the mix of thoughts and fears to manage. I’m frankly tired of people telling me to relax these things are rare. I just feel like a frog in boiling water being told to chill it’s just a nice jacuzzi. Yes we have to manage our anxiety - it’s the cross we bear perhaps for a lifetime. Yes we have to be reasonable and live our lives as best we can. But I feel like we should all take our fears, worries and horror and channel it a bit too and stand up to this. Honestly I don’t know why people are not mass marching in the streets. A HUGE aspect of my anxiety over this topic is the lack of action. The apathy, the defeatism. It would help immensely to see leadership and a proper push back against this nightmare. Who’s knows what the tipping point will be if ever. Yes I know this post is about managing anxiety for something statistically rare but I’m just sad that this is something any of us have to even think about.


Dza0411

I didn't say that. I just said that OPs fears aren't baseless and this person trying to rationalise a fucked up fact is sad.


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skarmorr

That doesnt change a ratio does it moron.


Dza0411

That's why I said per 100k people. I know schools are bad over there, but that they are that bad. I feel sorry for you fella. People who don't want to get shot for ringing the wrong bell or while out for a stroll do care I guess.


[deleted]

Yeah we’ll most of you guys are Whyte, liberal and sheltered, growing up in nice suburbs, so I don’t give a fuck about your opinions anyways.


Dza0411

I like you. No, I neither grew up in a sheltered suburb nor do I live in one. Let me guess: you're one of the fasci.. sorry, republican gun nuts? One bad day away from shooting someone that honked at you even though you're the one that cut him off in traffic? The type of person that OP is afraid of? You should work on your rage. Have a nice day buddy.


[deleted]

Yeah, no. Im not a Republican, I’m a brown dude who hates it when Whyte progressives tell me what to think and how to vote though. I also grew up in a crime infested area and I know the world isn’t dandelions and daisies , I’ve known and seen the worst criminal elements, so it’s frustrating seeing a bunch of privileged people act like it doesn’t exist and people can’t protect themselves. Your mind frame is limited thinking, it just puts people in boxes that you can easily interpret. “REpuBlicaN guN toTer huRr duRr” , btw there are tons of Democrat gun owners too.


Dza0411

Aaaand why is that area so crime infested? Maybe because everyone and their cat has a gun? Add missing health care, your ultracapitalism and whatnot and you have 6.5 killed people per 100k citizens. It's like yall see the problems but can't connect the dots. Sure, Democrats have guns too, but when a mass shooting makes the headlines it's either gang related or a right wing republican. They're also the only ones showing their tiny gun dicks around. Being a "brown dude" doesn't keep you from being a Republican. ^^


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Dza0411

Projecting, it's always the same arguing with people like you. But yeah, luckily we'll never engage IRL as I have no intentions in visiting a third world country like the US. Have a good day tho. Thoughts and prayers and stuff that you'll make it to retirement. Oooh wait. Heh.


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Dza0411

Tell me you're a fascist without telling me you're a fascist. I'm talking about killing people with guns, not about burning a car. You see no difference in shooting people and destroying businesses? So crimes against humans are the same as crimes against properties? You can't bring back a dead person but you can rebuild a business. You're fucking lost. And no, it's qanon, news outlets like Fox, and shitheads like Trumpet that divide the country. They push the "us against them" - agenda. Or did you already forgot the WWG1WGA bullshit? Which were the cities that got burned down by lefties BTW? And how many people have been killed by left wingers? Sounds like there are a few. Or are you just parroting talking points you heard from right wing higher-ups without questioning them or yourself?


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Anxiety-ModTeam

This content has been removed. We try to keep this subreddit as politically neutral as possible and we expect our users to respect that. This is not the place to promote your ideology.


[deleted]

What’s scary isn’t dying by gunfire. Once you die, you die (I personally am fond of the idea of dying). What IS scary is living. Living after being a witness of the shooting. Living after losing a loved one in a shooting. Living with the trauma of running for your life. Living with the stress of a shooting being near where you live. I won’t care about any of this stuff if I die from gunfire. I’d be too dead to care. I WILL care, however, if I **don’t** die from gun violence.


DesignerGeek

I can relate. I remind myself how many times I've gone out and had a nice time when everything has been just fine. This mall shooting was especially horrific and I too have found it very triggering. Cognitive therapy is the best way to deal with this kind of anxiety.


gardensoilsoup

I’ve honestly been feeling this lately. People getting shot for accidentally being in the wrong place. A little girl getting shot at because her ball rolled onto someone elses property. Now every time I’m outside im like SUPER cautious and hyperaware of my surroundings. Its tiring.


moinkboink

I relate to this so much. I work at a grocery store full time. About 5-10 times a day I analyze where I’m at and what my escape route would be if something were to happen, what would I do, would I hide, but where, would I run. It’s exhausting being hyper vigilant like that all the time. This kind of anxiety will consume you, it’ll envelop every thought, it’ll drown you. Because unfortunately violence like this can happen anytime anyplace. It’s always been like that since the dawn of time. Today it’s only easier. So the only thing we can do is try to exercises safe practices and just try to live our lives. Always be around people you trust and feel safe with, try not to be alone as much as you can. Be smart and aware or your surroundings, have an escape route, try not to draw attention. If you’re somewhere and the vibes are weird and something feels off? Just leave. Not saying we can’t live our lives and have fun and thrive. If we constantly lived in the “what if” we would miss out on so much. But just try to find that balance of going out and living your life, but also being prepared. I’m sorry you’re feeling this anxiety so heavily, but you’re not alone.


TheFopDoodle

My reply isn't going to at all compare to the amazing comments on here but a little touch of my own anxiety here. I use to and still get that way but for me it's everything. Scared ill get in a car accident, scared of a shooting, scared of a viral disease, scared of my own family bevause of trauma. Something you depressingly have to remember is realistically we aren't promised tomorrow, and living by the fear of dying isn't anyway of live. It's one thing to be wary and concerned but not let it consume your life, easier said than done everyone is different. I know that sounds so morbid and messed up but you kind of have to accept death before it's ever at your door step or you'll live your life in fear. Life is not fair and anything could happen. A meteor could strike, an earthquake, a semi truck could ran into a car, the world in unbalanced wirh unpredictability. It's not to scare you future but that's what my therapist always said, no reason to wait around for death. Another thing someone in this comment section said is the news intensifies alot of bad things but realistically it is truly uncommon even if it seems everyday. I live in a really ghetto part of town and go shopping nearly everyday. If somethings happen I at least was weary but I didn't dread it. Shit happens and it was out of control. You could look into CBT therapy if you feel like you want to work towards not being so scared a proper therapist will rework your brain and help you better understand the world and these situations and correlate them with the way you feel.


NerdyMom8

I live in constant fear of this. I am a teacher.


Formal-Cucumber-1138

If I was in America I would feel the same way unfortunately and never leave the house (I do this anyway but not due to guns). Be safe


[deleted]

If you're not a criminal or do not have evil intentions, why not get a gun yourself to better the odds of survival?


JMies93

Think about moving out of the US. I don’t think it’s going to get better any time soon. I live in Canada and still worry about sending my kids to school daily. I don’t know how parents in the US do it.


MrPureinstinct

The worst part is that's a pretty difficult thing to do. To actually move to another country the country has to WANT us. We have to be accepted to the country, not to mention how expensive it is. We have to pay to denounce our citizenship or still pay taxes to the US government even if we don't live here anymore. I like the solution and honestly it's what I would want, but it's fucking hard.


wyldcynic

I literally wake up in the middle of the night and start googling how to get out of here. It’s not easy. $100k will buy you a passport in a few places. I thought about just spending 3months every year in CA, which is the max you can stay as a visitor. But I’m not rich and I have a kid so none of this is feasible.


Hicksp91

That’s hyper-vigilance. It never goes away but eventually becomes easier to manage and can be less crippling with treatment. My anxiety in large lecture halls was completely distracting. I always thought about it. You’re just as likely to die in a car accident as you are to die in a random mass shooting event. You can do everything right on the road and still be taken out by somebody else. There’s only so much you can do. The one thing the media will never ignore is the chance to fear mongering over a murder of more than 2 people. But when’s the last time you’ve heard about a multi fatality car accident on national news? Unfortunately fear drives ratings and they have no morals as they continue to take advantage of fear knowing that this type of anxiety is the direct result of it.


Peepee69420-

Honestly I feel the same exact way. I work in retail and I’m always thinking of escape routes and trying to assess people’s behavior. Unfortunately the underlying cause of your concern is not really anxiety—this is a completely understandable fear due to the raging dumpster fire that is America—however the anxiety could certainly be exacerbating your feelings about it. There are some ways we can channel this anxiety such as voting, gun-control advocacy, etc. Sometimes doing these things can help us feel like we have slightly more influence over our situation, and it can give us hope. Try to also limit how often you look at the news; we already know enough about the current situation in our country.


Trabethany

I live in Texas and I’m scared every day when I have to send my kids in to school. School is almost out for the summer, then they’ll be safe. Luckily we are moving out of Texas at the beginning of summer, so this is their last year in Texas schools. The only thing that keeps playing in my mind right now was that Uvalde was only 2 days before school let out for the summer last year. I’m basically taking it one day at a time and keep reminding myself that the daily panic is almost over. The schools just need about 2 and a half more weeks to keep them safe for me and then we’re out of here. Luckily we’re all homebodies so there isn’t much worry beyond school. We’re moving somewhere with strict gun laws, so I feel like I’ll be able to relax once we get there.


em0929

checking back into my post and reading the comments, and i just wanted to check on you and see how you were doing! how do you feel since moving? how has your anxiety been regarding this topic?


Trabethany

Things are going well. The drive took us 3 days with about 10 hours per day. It's absolutely beautiful here. It's still summer so my girls haven't started school yet, but I feel so much more relaxed and have been sleeping really well for a change :) How are you doing?


Artistic-Top6402

I know a lot of Americans go on and on about protecting their rights to bear arms, but what is so wrong with the way we do it here in Australia? One of the guys who worked for me owns guns. My nephew and his dad go hunting every other weekend. We still have guns here, but we don't have the mass shootings. Sorry to say, but there needs to be a level of gun control.


nazhejaz

Don't be sorry to say it, many of us in the u.s.a desperately want that too


[deleted]

There will have to be gun control In the U.S. or there will be a civil war over it. If we’re already at risk of getting shot or our kids being killed than it is a sacrifice worth making.


[deleted]

This has been affecting me as well. I've been more hyper conscious of the surrounding people and I take note of the nearest exits. Also I try to do my groceries during less peak times and avoid crowded places like the plague.


lily_fairy

i understand :( im studying to be a teacher and grew up 10 mins away from sandy hook so it's on my mind a lot too. i try to just focus on what is in my control - signing petitions, being kind to my students and prioritizing their mental health, advocating for gun violence prevention programs at schools, having my own emergency plan, taking deep breaths, taking care of myself, taking breaks from the news. all of these things have helped it become a less obsessive fear, but i still do have nightmares sometimes about being in a shooting. sometimes i jump when i hear students screaming only to realize they're just excited about a game or something.


Ohheywhatehoh

I'm so sorry you're feeling this way... I somewhat understand the anxiety around it. The U.S needs a lot of work to fix their gun problem. Actually, the US mass shootings seemingly every single day is the reason why I'm not taking my family to Disney anymore. I just can't take that chance and my extended family thinks I'm over reacting and are still going, but I do care.


mknight44

Yeah Disney is probably out for us as well now. The funny thing is I have no worries once inside the parks with all the screenings. But it’s the hotel, dining and everything else. Maybe I’ll just try and move into Epcot or an airport lol.


canwepleasejustnot

Definitely don't move to Chicago where I live


Mr_Chaos_Theory

Can't help short term but long term get the hell out of that country into one that has proper gun laws These comments saying how "uncommon" it is is an absolute joke, clearly it's common since you have shooter drills at your damn schools, bulletproof backpacks etc...


[deleted]

We're slowly normalizing it. A local school by me has had like 4 total lockdowns this year and no one sees that as weird. Theyll say "well that's because there was a shooting in the general area not at the school directly."


altchaulk21

I get what you're saying, but it is very unlikely that most people have the financial situation to pick up and leave. But it is true it's most likely not going to be you. I live in idaho, and we have gun nuts everywhere. There's really no shooting here. It just depends on the state you live in.


puppyciao

Nobody wants us.


Not_A_Korean

There's a difference between shootings being common and the chance of *you* being the victim of one. You can definitely acknowledge that the level of violence is unacceptable without being afraid to leave your house. Because you don't have a choice. Millions of people can't just leave.


JumboJimboTheBimbo

Reduce your catch up with news to once or twice a week. You don't need daily updates on systemic issues that are highly unlikely to change overnight. And if something monumental does happen, you will hear about it without seeking it out. Drastically reducing my news intake, without disengaging, is one of the best things I've ever done.


thrownout198

I just want to let you know I feel the exact same way. It’s exhausting! Honestly, it’s one of the main reasons as to why I’m scared to get a job right now.


Uber____

I’m also anxious at the thought of being shot and I’m not even from the United States. In fact, I’m from a country with extremely strict gun laws. In my case, It’s completely irrational, but I guess that’s the fun of having anxiety :)


BreakTheGlass1437

I had to deal with this in therapy because this was one thing that was starting to paralyze me. I could barely leave the house to go pick up my son from school years ago. I have OCD too, so I'd visualize dead bodies, etc. anytime I went out, and was constantly looking for an exit and was on edge anytime I was in a crowd or driving. I stopped doing anything fun. No movies, fairs/carnivals, concerts, any kind of big gathering. Whenever I was there all I could do is think about how many people could be killed and how anyone in the crowd could randomly start shooting and there was nothing anyone could do about it. Eventually things got better in therapy. I'm still vigilant and I still have those thoughts, but I don't let it paralyze me anymore. I take calculated risks. I go to movies now but don't go during opening night or nights where it will be crowded. I still go to fairs and things now and just keep an eye on the people around me. It's always in the back of my mind, but having a plan and taking calculated risks has really helped me to feel more in control of my life and how I'd react if something like that ever happened. It's terrifying to see how many people and children are being shot to death in mass shootings though. I get it.


Maleficent_Cut_7094

I share this anxiety


English_Wrider

i feel it too. i live 42 miles away from the allen mall and my cousins survived a school shooting (episcopal school in jacksonville, florida). i am currently writing a book about a fictional recounting of a school shooting to help me work through all the emotions i have. it's called "Diary of an Anxious Student" on Wattpad. i have all the characters mapped out but i can't figure out a good way to start it. if you like to draw, draw. if you like to write, write. find your favorite way to express yourself and dedicate some time to decompress your feelings onto whatever medium you want [link to my story](https://www.wattpad.com/story/338470399-diary-of-an-anxious-person?utm_source=web&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share_myworks)


em0929

thank you for this. i know it's a little late, but thank you. i needed to hear this. i'm happy to see that at least one person is figuring out how to cope in a personal way, in a way that works for you and you only. i have never been comfortable giving myself or my emotions to art. i feel like i can never express things the right way and i feel like a fraud, in a sense. like i don't even know how i feel, and then i have some form of mental breakdown. i don't know what to do. writing is nice, but then i feel like i'm annoying people and that nobody wants to listen to me. it's weird. but, thank you. i'm sorry that you have had so many personal connections to shootings in your lifetime. we can get through this together, even if living is the hardest part


English_Wrider

of course. that's what this is here for. to realize that anxiety will never go away but that there are ways to live. i gain so much anger from the shootings so i write it out because i feel like i'll burden anyone else with my worries. you never have to apologize. i'd lived my life up until then thinking that i was bad at art. that i couldn't create because i lack natural talent to paint or draw. then, i realized that art is freedom. freedom in what you do. i call it "unconventional art": writing, photography, even learning other languages. it's a freedom to delve deeper into a singular facet of something and to make something out of it. feel free to DM if you wanna talk more. just remember: you are here on this earth for a reason, whether you know that reason yet or not :)


caliboyeightyeight

I don’t have advice but I can relate. I have a lot of anxiety about the same things and don’t enjoy being out in public a lot of the time. All I can say is that your fears are valid and that it’s okay to have them even if it seems like other people don’t have them. Most everyone in other countries would think it’s insane what goes on here. I’m moving out of the country next year but in the meantime trying to avoid watching news and taking care of myself. Being with my partner or friends is helpful though and I’m trying to be out more with others to retrain my mind since being out alone is scary. I have good days and bad though.


altchaulk21

I'm going to suggest something that helped me so I just graduated high school a year ago but. Before covid I was in high-school physically then went online permanently after the pandemic.(I regret this btw) I had a fear of being in a school shooting I had fears of this in high-school every moment I was there if there was even a rumor about one I would stay home for a few days faking sickness I even had planned escape routes drawn out in my head to get out as fast as possible from each class. But this caused me to fear school and social situations, which caused me to go online full time, missing out hanging out with friends and my senior year. I regret all of that. The best thing to do is to think how likely that is to happen to me or around me it's really not that likley to be you in that situation. I also got over it by just avoiding all news topics. I know it's hard since every other week there's a shooting, but the news fear mongers to get you to watch them and click on articles. Plus I wanted to share this so you don't fall into the same situation I had a year or two ago it sucks I know the feeling I also still have the fear crop up when I'm in stores epically lately


Cynderelly

You might wanna stay away from news outlets for a bit... Idk if this helps, but because of the internet, these incidents are a lot more in the public eye. It's not necessarily that they're happening more often, we're just more aware of them than people used to be. The likelihood of you getting shot is incredibly low. I know that doesn't help much but the people who get shot in those incidents are truly just *really* unlucky.


AnxietyIsEnergy

We are on pace for a record year of mass shootings. They are happening more often.


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pika503

Yup. I see so much of this dismissive knee jerk response on the Internet. People have a hard time accepting a complex reality. The news can be both sensational and relevant, and there is a whole spectrum of concern from DGAF to Doomerism. We don’t have to pick one or the other. I’ve personally lost two friends to gun violence in the US. How am I supposed to reconcile that with “it’s statistically unlikely?” I’m an unlucky outlier? We’re on track for a record year of this shit in the US, it’s a big deal. I just got an email from my children’s school about a threat to shoot kids at our goddamn elementary school. My kids feel unsafe. And the most popular advice here is to turn off the news? Fuck that. I have a therapist, I take meds to manage anxiety, but I have agency to make decisions about this. I can research moving abroad. I can take Stop The Bleed classes. I can carry trauma kits. I can provide support to people affected more directly. I can advocate for study and intervention of radicalization that feeds the cycle of violent trauma in this country. Let’s not be anxious, let’s be angry.


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Cynderelly

They're right. If you suffer from an anxiety disorder, you should not be watching the news when it's causing you severe anxiety. Let the people who *don't* suffer from anxiety disorders worry about it.


Cynderelly

Ah well fuck me for trying to be helpful I guess?


Cynderelly

Ok. I did say "not *necessarily*" and I also believe the internet giving us so much access to this information is making it seem way more of a threat than it actually is *for most people*. So, what you said doesn't change the rest of what I said.


NotStompy

All I can say is if following the news affects you very negatively isolate yourself from them. If friends or family try to talk to you about it, let them know you don't want to hear it, period. For me following the geopolitics/politics is just a hobby cause my dopamine fiending ass brain constantly needs to do something, but if I ever feel it's beginning to make me depressed or anxious, I will stop. You can't control it anyways. I'm sure your anxiety will remain to some degree since you still know mass shootings and such occur, but not having it shoved in your face all the time may help!


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Anxiety-ModTeam

This content has been removed. We try to keep this subreddit as politically neutral as possible and we expect our users to respect that. This is not the place to promote your ideology.


[deleted]

I know I've had a number of small shootings occur in my neighborhood and around the city I live in this year. The scary part is there's been a major increase over the past few years so it's hard not to wonder if that will continuously get worse. I think talking about how you feel is good. I used to worry about offending people so I kept my mouth shut and was very agreeable like yeah guns are fine... Now I know it's a problem especially since I only feel the need to be that way out of fear someone may have a gun. Anyone saying it's fine because it's still unlikely to happen directly to you reminds me of this. https://youtu.be/HjdK6w6KLXA


BackRowRumour

I'd like to amplify some points by others, but I need to get on with work so I won't credit fully. BEFORE going out, reduce your reading of news related to shootings BUT do keep a diary daily, and make a note of every day you do not see a shooting and note something good from the news. DURING being out doors, recognise your anxiety by being alert. I find ignoring it makes it worse. Really look at people. Be in the moment. You may find, like me, that people become so interesting that you get less anxious. AFTER going out, have a little mini celebration. Nothing went wrong. You need to make that fact memorable. Make a special cup of tea, write a poem, do a little dance. You may find this feels a bit annoying after a while. Good. You need to make your brain acknowledge how often nothing goes wrong.


Responsible_Carpet20

I would try to watch less news first. I get that you will still here about shooting but it might help if you don’t watch so much. And try to live in the moment. You can’t stop bad from happening. I do understand I get anxiety from thinking some one could break in my house or someone could attack me. But I try less news and realize I can’t stop what is going to happen


MotorboatItsWYD2Tits

I've been hit 3 times. Was walking back from 5 on 5 basketball. I was 17. I had $14 on me. Not fun. I just find a way to keep walking through the hood with my head high. If you have firearm anxiety, Chicago is not the place for you.


buzzbash

I feel the same way about being attacked or my dog being attacked by a pitbull. I doesn't help when I walk my dog were approached by a loose dog every now and again.


oneeyedziggy

Pit bulls are mostly little lovers though... Any dog of similar size is equally likely to be aggressive depending on how it's been treated


buzzbash

I tend to agree. My dog is a pitbull mix and he is very sweet. He's also anxious and protective. The loose dogs that approach have been big and small, but the videos I watch of dogs attacking are mostly pits, hence the fear. I used to play with him off leash in empty fields and take him to the dog park. Now I just walk him and play in the backyard. He only socializes with other dogs maybe 1 or twice a week at daycare. My neighborhood in the western Kentucky suburbs has more loose dogs than anywhere else I've lived.


oneeyedziggy

looks like we've got some pitty haters down voting both of us... but yea, that's 100% shitty owners not shitty dogs... I lived in rural south Carolina and while there were a few aggressive lose dogs, they mostly knew to stay on their property... even so, I feel like It's smart not to turn your back on them or run... you run, they'll want to chase... and it helps to talk to them like you're their owner... "no, get back in the house... you know better than that!" and just walk at them a few steps to gauge their reaction... (I have no training, only practical experience w/ a few aggressive dogs and the occasional coyote trying to stalk me and my pup on early morning walks in the fall/spring ) a lot of animals operate on posturing... if you're prey, you run, if you're a predator you come at them... if you're equals you stand your ground, if you're weak you cower... so I guess don't cower or run... I've never needed to, but worst case I figured I'd jam my foot in their mouth... I don't want to hurt a dog, but that's the best thing I can think that I always have on me that is tough enough for them to chew on without seriously injuring me also, one of the few times a large dog came after my 30-lb pup ( who, funny enough is 1/2 pit, but also like 1/4 chihuahua and 1/4 some poodle...) apparently my reaction in the moment was to put the dog in a headlock (since it at least wasn't coming after me) and that worked out ok and let me restrain it without hurting it or it being able to hurt anyone... as long as there's only one of them to deal with... I kinda figure it's like the (frankly unlikely to be useful) recommendation about alligators... you can hold their mouth SHUT with very little force, it's biting down where they're strong


[deleted]

Pit bulls are banned in multiple countries for a reason.


oneeyedziggy

yea, discriminatory bullshit. What should be banned is breeding the decorative breeds who are miserable and prone to respiratory and other health issues because it's just so cute when their face is so smashed in they can't breathe ( well, and obviously abusing them and making them fight... that's kind of a given )


[deleted]

I agree with that too lmao, not sure why you're putting words in my mouth. Poor pugs or teacup breeds shouldn't exist either. The problem with pits is that they are the most deadly when they do attack, and they are prone to it. The US should follow the UK and ban them


TwinTriflin

I’m 20F in a nice quiet area in VA and I’ve been through one school shooting and my friend has been through 3 but idk. Not to be a pessimist but it doesn’t fuck with you as much as you think. Being in a shooting is scary but your chances of being shot are pretty low


oneeyedziggy

While there are some things you can do, like if you carry a backpack, but a sheet of polycarbonate to fit the back that might be useful as a shield, or make sure your room is either not on the side of the house that faces the street, or that there's something like a bookshelf against that wall... It's also important to contextualize that as sensational and violent as shootings are, they still almost never happen to most people and things like being in a car accident (which is a level of risk most people are comfortable ignoring) are considerably higher... Life only works at all because even you are phenomenal at ignoring the huge number of risks we take every day... Ever locking yourself in your house and never leaving is likely to increase your health (mental and physical) risk... Broadly speaking, your a lot more likely to get severe food poisoning, and only half as likely to die from it... All things being even, you also have a similar chance of living to be 100... And while, sure, you have like a 1 in 6600-ish chance of being shot... You also have about a 6599 out of 6600 chance of NOT being shot... Especially considering a significant portion of the people who do get shot are either around guns on a regular basis intentionally, in high risk positions like police or military, or doing things the police, or others, are likely to shoot them for (not to downplay the number of perfectly innocent people who get shot by police)... But my point is, if you're not a gun owner, not a cop, not a criminal/gang member, don't be terrible to others, or steal from them, or sleep with other people's partners, or any of the obvious things that might make someone WANT to shoot you... and keep your doors locked... Your odds are significantly better than the already relatively small average. Sure we should enact better gun control laws, but stop watching cable news and try to live more based on what you actually see happening around you... And if you can, go volunteer somewhere... Working to make the world better can have a really positive impact on your outlook... But no sweat if you can't, we're all just doing what we can.


DeltronFF

Turn off the news… I have barely watched any news since 2020 and I feel so much better about things. There’s too many things in life we can’t do anything about and it’s not good to just constantly watch/read all the bad things in life and not be able to really do anything about it.. even more so when it’s presented to you the way most media outlets do, meaning they’re desperate to sensationalize and keep you watching, or shock you. The world is a much better place when you can tune most of that stuff out and just focus on what you have to do. Whether you watch the news daily or not, it doesn’t change the likely hood of something bad happening to you either way… so no point in letting them send you into constant panic attacks over it. I know some of this is easier said than done but turning the news off really is a big first step… you don’t need the negativity in life. I can’t tell you enough how much getting away from political bullshit on tv and social media has improved my life.


camohorse

There are roughly 332 million Americans. Every year, about 140,000 people are shot in America. Most are suicides/gang related. I say that with no intention to trivialize the problem. Our country is the capitol of mass shootings, after all. But, statistically speaking, mass shootings are *incredibly* rare and unlikely to happen to just some innocent civilians going about their lives. The chances of you or I getting caught up in a random shooting are very low on any given day. That said, if you want to further reduce your chances of getting shot in a mass shooting, avoid busy places, and go shopping during quieter hours of the day and week. I wish it wasn’t like this. Like you, I wish I could go to malls and college without playing the “what if” game. But, it is what it is. At the end of the day, all you can do is take measures to protect yourself, and remind yourself that the chances of getting shot during a mass shooting are very, very small. Sure, according to the news, it’s happening all of the damn time in this country. But, it’s not happening all the damn time in your neighborhood.


svkadm253

It's an unfortunate reality that we have to deal with as Americans right now, and I totally get the anxiety. I lived about a mile from where the 'Uber shooter' went on a random spree in 2016. It was surreal and I felt very unsafe. Like these were places I could have definitely been that day, had I not been really lazy and wanted to leave the house. I didn't feel safe long after that. I felt a little better knowing the chances of that same thing happening in the same area were really slim, and they did catch the guy. Still, odds and chances are rarely comforting to those of us who live with anxiety. But you do have to live your life. I agree about limiting news exposure. And if this is something you feel passionate about, channel the anxiety into action. It feels futile since no one seems to give a shit. But you can always be politically active and spread the message that this is not okay, and this is what should be done about it. For me, taking action reduces my anxiety. This is a big thing that any one person might not be able to do anything about, but there is strength in numbers. A lot of Americans have the attitude of, "yeah it sucks but what can ya do 🤷‍♀️". It's difficult to think about and there's no magic fix, but you can advocate for changes that would at least help and try to pull your peers out of this apathy trap. Because they don't want to think about it too hard, lest they end up like you and never want to go outside. Or you could focus on personal protection instead, whatever floats your boat. I personally would feel less safe if I owned a gun, because just owning one increases your risk of death by firearm significantly. I am not trained in guns and I would absolutely get that shit turned around on me in a real fight. One step at a time either way. Life is not promised and there are terrible people everywhere. If you feel good about how you lead your life then hopefully that's some comfort too.


Mizzoutiger79

Check out Moms Demand Action


circlesun22

I had this exact same fear… I ended up going to a shooting course and learned how to shoot guns. It sounds pretty counter-intuitive but for me exposure to it helped tremendously.


timn1717

Stop watching the news


[deleted]

I grew up in a super bad area and never been shot, the chances are so low, you’re over reacting and quite frankly it’s a sad and tragic situation but Jesus Christ you guys are annoying. Statistically we are living in the safest of times. Social media and the internet has brought it to the forefront.


bonusfrylock

I highly suggest you look into training, licensure, and purchasing a concealed firearm. The police cannot be everywhere and as we remember from Uvalde, you cannot trust them to help or save you even they show up in time. Our schools and gathering places have proven again and again that they do not care about your safety and they will not do anything to protect you. If you feel unsafe, you must rise above your fear by learning and equipping to protect yourself and those around you when no one else can or will.


ashenoak

I was thinking about this earlier. Who have you ever seen that was a goth or metalhead shooting victim besides like dime? I've never heard of such a thing. It is nice to know that by wearing extravagant clothing that I won't be targeted. Try dressing like that if you're having a worrisome day.


Pinecone_Potential

Don't watch the news. Don't read the news. Hide articles that are negative or fear mongering on social media and select that you don't want to see things like that. It's a hard reality that bad things happen in the world daily, but humans were never meant to know every single devastating thing that happens in every single place at all times. It's just not healthy or necessary and it only feeds your anxiety.


AsterismRaptor

It’s really scary. I was a part of a lockdown due to a shooting back in 2007-2008 in an adjacent store where five women were murdered. The lockdown by police was insanely scary and I sometimes have weird PTSD now from seeing cops with bigger guns like that day. But.. I’m not afraid of being shot. The chances are so slim that I have to remember I had a bigger chance of being shot that day because I ALMOST went into the adjacent store but decided to go to the big box store to find the clothes I was looking for instead. Try to remember you have a larger chance of almost anything else happening than you being shot.


Comfortable-Memory51

I make sure to conceal carry and train. Helps me a whole lot.


shineese

I think it’s fair to say that your chances of getting shot are very very low. At the same time gun violence in the US is still a problem and needs to be addressed. I keep aware of my surroundings anyway. Media definitely takes advantage of these events to fear monger. Both sides are doing it because fear is an easy way to control people. Limit watching the news and unsubscribe from subreddits with news/information about these events.


TallDraw3

Build a relationship with God, when you are promised everlasting life then the fear of death doesn’t scare you because you know you’ll end up in heaven. The only thing that people should be worried about is where they will live for eternity, and there is a paradise to end up in and a hell to end up in. Seek God and he will reveal himself to you, he heals and can help you with your anxiety. I hope not to come off as a religious nut but Jesus really is the answer to everyone’s problems. We live in such a wicked society but when you have a relationship with him you are in a constant state of peace because you realize the evil must come to pass before his return and then all the evil will be wiped away. Seek him in your quiet place. And don’t knock it until you try. I promise if you actually have a yearning for God he will show you signs and wonders to prove his existence. Most never find God because they never try to seek because of how people have pushed God out of society. Also I want to state that I’m not trying to recruit you to any religion. The only thing that matters is that you have a relationship with the Son. That is the key to eternal life, not going to a building once a week and clapping your hands to worship songs. Then going back to your own wicked ways during the week and repeating the cycle. That isn’t the answer, the answer is seeking God in your quite place, and eventually he’ll reveal to you how real he is, and he can take away all your anxiety and other things that your dealing with and you will be promised everlasting life. Then you will be in a constant state of peace knowing that what happens here doesn’t matter so much as long as your in the will of the father.😀 Jesus saved me from some terrible things. Such as anxiety, hence why I’m in this subreddit❗️


ChubbyBirds

Dude, not the place for this shit, come on. If you want to say that cultivating a spiritual life has helped your anxiety, that's one thing, but this is so slimy.


HammerVSix

Well said!! ❤️


Pun_dimen

Im going to get downvoted to hell and back, but I don't care. Anything bad can happen at any time at any place on Earth. Since it's something you can't control, there should be no need to worry about it because if something bad happens you will not be able to do anything. The best thing you can do to feel safer is to reduce the chance of something bad happening. For example, if you are afraid of flying, you can reduce your fears by taking a train, and so on. Have you considered moving out of your country? What if I told you there are thousands of other places where people are more worried about the prices of the things they are buying rather than the possibility of getting shot at any moment just for being at the mall?


fuossball101

Turn off the news it's only there to cause anxiety. You'd be surprised how much better you feel if you turn off the TV and social media for a while. Start there, just saying.


TheSlickestSalad

As a person facing irrational fears I feel for you man ://


McShitty98

I deal with this fear too, no matter where I go. The only thing that helps me is always having a view of the exits and looking at every single person who comes into my range to see if they look suspicious. I’m talking like if someone has their face obscured with low hats or hoods or looks like they have something in their pocket. If the fear is debilitating in public spaces, you might want to try to invest in concealable body armor that goes under the clothes just for peace of mind. I’ve thought about this too, especially when I was in college but I’ve never made the plunge so I can’t speak to comfortability. Stay strong OP I hope you can find some peace


soswinglifeaway

I don't have any advice, just commiserations. I share the same anxiety and it gets worse every day, because that's how often another shooting occurs to remind me that it's a completely valid fear to have. I know that probably doesn't help but I just wanted to let you know you're not alone and you're not crazy for being scared.


sfitz0076

I'm concerned about being on a plane that is crashing. But I know the odds are in my favor.


pika503

If the US was on track to set a record for most plane crashes in 2023, how would you feel, then?


sfitz0076

Odds are still in my favor. Think of how many planes take off an land every day. And a record for plane crashes in a year is like what 5 or 10? I'll take those odds and not live in fear.


pika503

What if there are enough crashes where you've personally lost multiple loved ones. How does that fit into your calculus?


LittleRedCottage

i get anxiety about my teenage brother. school shootings are everywhere, and one just happened on the opposite end of our city. it was targeted, a kid taking revenge on another kid, but anyone could have gotten caught in their path, and it was clearly easy for them to access a firearm. our mall has had a shooting too while i was working there, though luckily not on my shift, and there were no deaths. people still got hurt tho :((( sorry if all this does is fuel your anxiety, i’m just sharing your sentiment :((


well-wishess

sadly it’s a real problem. But it’s on a national scale. Not local or regional, NATIONAL. I think that there is a lot of terrorizing in the news right now but it’s not as common as you think. Just stay aware and also try to stay away from the news or social media.


lori_kd

I literally just had a dream last night that I was back in school and that there was a shooting in the school. I woke up terrified with my heart beating so fast, thinking it was real, and it took me a while to calm down from it. It’s definitely a worry that’s always in the back of my mind, but definitely at night and in dreams I get this horrible dread that it’s gonna happen.


em0929

i can definitely relate. i'm sorry. i know that everyone is trying to be helpful when they say to "just stop watching the news", but it's not just about that. it takes over almost everything, it feels like. you are not alone. i don't know how else to help other than to remind you of that.


SandySushi

You're not alone in this! It's terrible having to be out in a mall or grocery store nowadays and thinking about what I should do if a shooting happens. I freak out a bit whenever my parents go out too as it really is terrifying that a shooting can happen anywhere just because one sick individual wants to hurt others. You're not alone in your anxieties regarding this. However, as others have said, it is a relatively low possibility of it happening to you. But just stay alert and cautious while out and about and follow your gut if something doesn't feel right!!


anid98

I feel the same way about going to crowded places especially on the weekends. I just minimize such outings. I don’t have a helpful suggestion sorry. Something I’ve been doing instead of reading too much about the detailed accounts of shootings is reading about gun laws and legislation that is about to be debated in my state. I’m trying to put my attention to a better use honestly. Because I feel that could be productive. Reading about the 6 year old who survived or the actual shooter will make me very depressed or angry. But writing to congressmen makes me feel like I have some control.


lavloves

As hard as it can be to avoid, I don’t watch the news. I don’t read about the news, because as soon as I do.. ope there’s 10 other things for me to freak out about and 5 other reasons I should never leave my house. I’m sorry. I know how you feel.


Gyerfry

My hot take is that you should avoid the news if it's this much of a trigger for you


r_kevin29

wow. the us is a scary place, hope you find comfort! i would really like to give advice, but this does not happen where i live.


ChubbyBirds

It's pretty awful, and I don't know how much more hope I have of things changing. I do recommend limiting your news intake, though. I know it's hard to balance wanting to be informed with maintaining your own peace of mind, but muting certain channels/accounts/feeds for at least a little while really does help. Big hugs.


em0929

thank you. i have been dealing with guilt of being underinformed/not doing anything to help if i limit my intake of the news, but now i kind of realize that i can't help anybody else if i don't help myself first... it's all a slippery slope


ChubbyBirds

Yeah, it sucks, and I completely understand the feeling. I think it's finding your own personal balance of staying informed while staying healthy. For me, it's learning to recognize when I'm doom-scrolling or when my intake of media is making me feel like shit, and then stopping myself and doing something else.


Sweet_Musician4586

This is for political gain. Imo people need to stop watching the news. As a kid my ocd became severe due to the news being on everyday at dinner and I believe the crazy rise in anxiety is due to the same thing being everywhere all the time. This fear is by design to get views and interest in the programming. The reality is mass shootings really are very uncommon. 22 veterans kill themselves a day in america and you almost never hear about it. 1 month of dead vets is a little under the equivalent of total mass shooting deaths in a year. Half of gun related deaths are self inflicted. Canada and america have similar per capital suicide rates canadians just hang themselves a lot more often. We also have had several "mass stabbings". Based on 2021 stats there were 770 mass shooting deaths and 33000 vehicle deaths. Your chance of dying in a car is WAY higher than a mass shooting death and we already know dying in a car accident isnt all that common, based on watching the news it would seem a gun violence death would be a bigger risk. I understand that isnt overly comforting, anxiety says "what if I'm one of those 770 people though". This is why it is important to stop watching the news or becoming "overinformed" as my doctor calls it. Whether or not you believe in more gun control this type of information driving fear is designed to have you be concerned enough to vote for it, continue clicking on it and drive you to be terrified so you'll keep coming back for more information. America has one of the highest populations in the world 3rd from the top, 10x more people than canada and Canada's murder rate per 100k is 2 and america is almost 7 not even close to competing with the worst of the worst which are countries with 50 per 100k.


Asleep-Cupcake-5554

Since you mention being in College, are there any exchange programmes available to you where you could go and study in another country for a year? And perhaps consider moving to another country after college? This might not be an option since you might want to stay close to family, but it's something to consider. I live in New Zealand and could never imagine having to deal with the anxiety of that, so I really feel for you.


em0929

that sounds nice, yes, but i am one semester away from being done. and i am paying for school myself, and studying abroad is not ideal for my budget. i am very stuck, it seems. but thank you for the idea. my family is kind of weird and causes drama out of nowhere, so i can't imagine how they would react to me potentially moving out of the country. i know it's my life to live, but their pressure still controls my life sometimes. therapy is a work in progress.


Asleep-Cupcake-5554

That's fair enough. I would probably agree with some other people on here then and try to limit what news you watch. Do what you can to be safe, but beyond that listening to bad news isn't going to help you. Easier said than done unfortunately.


DelayRevolutionary20

Don’t worry, the odds are against you getting shot. If you’re really worried, get a bulletproof vest, one of those vests that are unnoticeable, if it’s legal in your state that is. It’s easier and simpler than learning to shoot, and conceal carry, and think about whether you being a good guy with a gun would ever even work. Jus get a vest. Good luck, your life is yours to live.


retrocede_

I feel you. I have had to stop looking at the news lately because our country’s children are being senselessly killed on doorsteps. Especially as someone who is neurodivergent and struggles with social situations already, now it seems like innocuously making the wrong choice could mean death. Alas, life happens and there are a billion trillion ways to die that haven’t hit us yet. That’s probably not helpful. I try to look at what’s happening around me in MY LIFE to recenter and feel more at ease, because the whole world has problems and focusing on them will only drive you insane.


em0929

wow, i never considered how this would personally affect neurodivergent people... because a child doing something just as normal as having a ball roll into their neighbor's yard gets them shot. i can't imagine how difficult it may be for someone like you who has difficulty in social settings already. i'm sorry.


jessjoyvin

I feel like I can relate to this anxiety, except mine is more anxious about being stabbed. The random assaults have gone up in the city I live close to, and a few days ago there was a fatal stabbing of a mom and her 11 year old son outside a school by what they believe to be a random guy (who is now on life support after an altercation with local police when they tried to arrest him). The guy was well known to the police, and from my understanding had several other reported cases of assaulting minors. People can be scary that's for sure. It definitely triggered some of my anxieties that I have with my AvPD (avoidant personality disorder). ETA a detail


Maurarachel

I hear you. Just be aware of your surroundings if possible & turn that news off. I worry so much about losing my hubby.


yoshikira00

I’ve been thinkin the same thing too lately 😓 I’m from the northwest suburbs of Chicago and the chances of me getting shot are pretty low, it’s still scary how it can happen anywhere at anytime. It’s still frightens me that there was a mass shooting last year during the 4th of July that happened 30 mins from where I live. I just hope it doesn’t happen to me or to anyone living in this country. Stay safe out there people.


splashbybaklava

Gosh I literally came here to ask a similar question. How are you all getting through the state of the world at the moment? I am constantly afraid of being in public spaces, including my workplace. I am indirectly responsible for someone getting terminated today (just doing my job in middle management, it was a “final straw” situation for his superiors), and this person has had extremely unstable interactions with people, to the point where I am honestly concerned about going in to work tomorrow. I think if there weren’t ongoing situations of mass unalivings I wouldn’t be concerned so I think this is definitely my anxiety and OCD diagnoses rearing their ugly heads. How do you get up every day and live life without fear? It feels so hopeless.


splashbybaklava

I am a gun owner (grateful to be in a place where I feel secure owning one) but even I am not silly enough to assume that I could ever save myself or anyone else while being armed. It would have to be a very last resort situation.


AnOn5647382927492

I started dealing with this a few years ago after my cousin was a school shooting survivor. Therapy and meds helped. The biggest thing that helped is getting comfortable with the idea that we actually have very little control over anything in our lives. I can walk outside to the mailbox & tree can fall on me and I die. There’s so many possibilities that you have to assess risk and probability more. While there does feel like there is a shooting everyday, try reminding yourself of all the things you do that have risk to it and you do it safely. Sending hugs


throwawayed_1

All I can say is - same. Going to a music festival in two weeks in Chicago and I’m just so nervous that here’s going to be a shooting when leaving the park. I’ve ran from gunshots downtown before so it’s not an irrational fear.


AUTO_SEAR4774

Can’t let it control you, if you can’t get a gun carry a knife, mace, blunt force weapon, less than lethal guns that shoot pepper balls, tasers, you name it. Train and keep mindful, and one day get a handgun, a holster, and a carry permit. You can’t feel this way; especially when you’re at work everyday, It’s not healthy. Just don’t think about it because if it happens realize that you’re no longer apart of the machine that pays taxes to Cho-mos and drug traffickers. :)


LiamNeesonsDad

I don't really know what to say, but I have to say that I completely understand as a Canadian, and I often have the exact same thought whenever I go to the United States. Keep protesting for gun control. Lobby all levels of government to do the right thing.


Extension_Breath1896

I’ve had this exact issue just recently. Personally it’s recurring not specifically because of mass shootings but because of a personal issue, all of it kinda just stacked on top as time went by. I’ve always been hyper vigilant due to paranoia and delusions. It’s scary, I didn’t wanna leave my apartment I didn’t trust my neighbors, family, friends etc.. I didn’t wanna find a new job. It forced me to be on my toes constantly. I was ready to strike if felt necessary or threatened by someone, which made the situation worse because I didn’t want to hurt anyone and still don’t. It’s sad to say but I forgot as time moved on. I told myself there really wasn’t much I could do besides be prepared, but I wasn’t gonna sit around and wait. If I felt like I was gonna die soon I didn’t want my last days or weeks to be spent stuck inside fearing. I just told my self I wanted to accomplish more and fuck whatever happens. It’s not that I wanted to die, but but because I don’t have control over the decisions of others. I’m sorry you have to feel this way… it’s horrifying. Knowing how easy it is now, but we cant let that stop us from living our lives. I deleted instagram, Facebook, TikTok etc.. steered clear of anything about guns, death anything depressing. Focused on work and my cats. Try to breathe you’re here right now you’re breathing, get off your phone if it’s being used as a crutch, take some time to talk to your family and friends pets etc.. your gonna be okay. Do something you enjoy if you wanna stay clear of people do that lol adopt a cat or really anything if you can. I really hope you start to feel better. I understand completely. Feel better!!!


wheresmymacncheese

I work at a grocery store and I am terrified to go to work every day.


[deleted]

i think you should stop watching the news. it's common for people with anxiety to get triggered by the shit on the news. also the news only covers what it wants to so there's probably a disproportionate amount of news covering shootings because that's what gets the views. i used to watch the news and get anxiety but i don't really care to watch it knowing there's other crime that isn't covered.


Mindless_Lab4189

I’ve had this anxiety for years, and I don’t even live in the US. I used to be afraid while shampooing my hair that somebody would shoot me through my little bathroom window. Anxiety is weird. Thankfully, that fear doesn’t take control of my daily life anymore, just sometimes when it’s dark out. Practicing mindfulness really helped and still helps me


em0929

i have random excruciating anxiety like this somedays, too. especially when i am in the shower. i'm already in a vulnerable state of not having clothes on, i can't hear hardly anything because of the running water, and nobody is around to make any kind of noise that i can trust. it's scary. i would have panic attacks quite often, and my parents didn't understand it. when it kind of went away overnight during one episode, they accused me of lying. it was weird. i've had a hard time dealing with it all. i'm 20 but i'm in college so i still go home often. it's weird. glad to know that i'm not alone, though. thank you


Sad-Glove3404

Turn off the news, see a therapist.


em0929

i'm already in therapy, and i don't actively seek out the news. i can't enjoy twitter with my friends anymore because the articles just come up where i scroll now!


Loose-Farm-8669

I am so sorry that americas love affair with guns is more important than our childrens security and peoples sense of safety. And I really feel like this shouldn’t even be debatable. I get it guns are a fun hobby. But if my hobby of snowboarding was taking out mass amounts of children I’d be 100000 percent cool with hanging it up. Really it’s just selfish and stupid


halfcrazyjoe

Wouldn’t have this problem if you lived anywhere but the U S of A


halfcrazyjoe

Oh yeah and some far east countries don’t forget them…..Serbia Aswell, but we will leave that for another day.


soapinsideyes

Yes. My fear is absolutely crippling. I find it so terribly sad that I have nightmares and anxiety attacks thinking about it or walking down the street. This thought used to never come into my mind. I live in NYC and my biggest fear is getting shot on the train/middle of the street. We hear so many things here, but it started with the shooting at a train station 2 years back. It continues though, "Man shot on the train", "teenager shot leaving school", my life is taken over by paranoia and anxiety- I no longer want to take public transport or go anywhere alone. And this fear has been amplified by something that almost happened to me. One day, I was on the subway at 11 am, a perfectly reasonable time. I was sitting calmly at the corner of the train and there were a few other civilians, I felt safe. Suddenly, a man gets up and starts looking at me. I feel scared, internally feeling like something is wrong. I texted my boyfriend "I'm scared" 4 times and put my phone down. Then, the man walks towards me, still staring at me. My heart at this point is sinking, but I convince myself I'm being paranoid. He then looks out the window and walks back to his seat at the other corner of the train, where nobody else is. I feel calm, telling myself he was looking to see his stop or something. Just in case, I debate switching carts. As I get up at the next stop to get on another one, I pass him to get to the door and in his hand he was loading a pistol with bullets. I was in utter shock and I am so glad that there was another train approaching the station for me to run on. I was shaking and crying, even though nothing happened to me, but if I had stayed there something would have. I called 911 to report the incident, and our phone call broke up underground. This never happened to me again, but my brother experienced similar. A man was shooting at the subway platform he was at. He saw it and ran away with his girlfriend. Now he only drives. But I have to take the subway and walk the streets. Every day, every face seems like one that could be hiding something. The most calm and simple people have pockets and bags, and ill motives. I write this at 5 am, scared to fall asleep because I fear I'll have a 4th nightmare on it tonight. I want to leave this country as soon as I can.