This Might Sound Ridiculas.. but How Do I Not Feel Afraid of People I Don’t Like and Are Scared of ?
Question by junglecubs: This might sound ridiculas.. but how do i not feel afraid of people i don’t like and are scared of ?
Im afraid of alchohol and drug users. Please don’t judge me , and suggest with sincerity. I was abused by people who used those things, and it clearly affects the mind/behavior…so i automatically get anxiety/panic attacks. I have friends that associate with these people and so i indirectly am around them. I do NOT judge anyone and their choices. I want to make that clear, and just genuinley feel afraid around certain people (drugs/alcohol)….. Especially when they want to talk with me, i can’t handle the panic and defense mechanisms (anxiety) i have as it’s STRONG. Im not afraid of weed smokers, weeds cool and promotes peace etc (: Any help is greatly appreciated!
Please be kind, or refrain from “helping” me….Thankyou!
Best answer:
Answer by Will
Well, my girlfriend sometimes gets like that around guys that remind her of her rapist. Now, around guys like that, she just gets a little bit quiet and holds on to my arm, and if they end up talking to us, she gets more comfortable the longer we stay. But apparently, it used to be a lot worse – more like what you described. She’s said that she makes like a mental tally of the differences between them and him, and doing while talking to these guys has I guess helped reinforce the idea that most people aren’t really like that. Also, she said that she feels like she’s letting the bastard win if she lets him dictate what she does and doesn’t do.
So maybe it would help you to tally the differences like that? Or even just try to establish a connection of some sort with those people – common interests, senses of humor, etc. Like prove to yourself that they’re not like the people who hurt you. Maybe think of it as keeping control over your life. Like you determine what you do. Stuff like that.
Also, if you’re not already doing this, you might want to consider seeing a psychiatrist. Some anxiety medication might help. There are also things you can do to prevent anxiety attacks, like breathing through a straw, etc. Google has wonderful things to say about this topic.
Hope that helped
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What happens when you give us alcohol!! –