My biggest trigger right now is thinking about the apocalypse
Hey guys, my name is Liz, and I'm pretty new here. I was just wondering if anyone has any advice or reassurance for getting past severe anxiety about the end of the world??
I don't get anxious about fictional apocalypses (like those in Fallout or the Walking Dead), end times prophecies, or unpredictable things like asteroid strikes. Instead, I get extremely anxious when people talk about the effects of climate change, or how much plastic there is in the ocean. It makes me feel hopeless and fills me with a sense of doom.
I do what I can as a young broke person to minimize my impact on the environment, and I even work as an ecologist, but I know that most of the problems in the world are simply things that I have no control over beyond voting for the right people and sending little donations when I can. I know concern about the world is reasonable, but sometimes anxiety that the world might actually end overwhelms me.
If you have any reassurance, or advice for how to stop thinking about this as much, I would really appreciate it. Thank you!
@MakoWoman That is sometimes called "apocalypse anxiety" and it is sometimes said to be affecting more and more people.
I think there are maybe three ways to cope. One way is to see it as a medical problem, just like any other anxiety disorder. There are some good medications that your doctor can prescribe. Many anxiety sufferers find that medication means they can live a normal life again.
Another way is to see it as a problem in the way you think about things. Therapy can help with this, but only if you go to a therapist who knows how to identify the psychological causes of your anxiety and address it that way. The kind of therapist who only provides coping strategies could end up prolonging your anxiety unnecessarily.
A third way is to identify the things in your life that directly cause the anxiety, and remove them. For example, you have said that there are people who talk about the effects of climate change. If those people have a negative effect on your life, you might be able to improve the way you feel by walking away from those people so you don't have to listen to that kind of talk. You might also have to walk away from popular news sources, if they are publishing stories designed to cause anxiety.
And a fourth way is to research the issues that you most care about and develop a more knowledgeable and balanced view of them. As an ecologist you probably have access to original data and an understanding of science that most people lack. You probably know that there is a lot of evidence the current global warming is part of a natural cycle lasting hundreds of years, and that all the other times it got warmer in the past human civilization flourished. You probably also know that bacteria in the oceans have been have been evolving to eat plastic.
You also mention voting for the right people and sending donations. Some would say that the reason there are people spreading apocalyptic rumours is often because they can get your votes or your money that way. As you tackle your anxiety, it's possible you might also consider whether your votes and money are perhaps encouraging such people to create more anxiety in the world.
Charlie
@RarelyCharlie Oops, I said three ways but it turned out there were four 
Charlie
@RarelyCharlie said "Some would say that the reason there are people spreading apocalyptic rumours is often because they can get your votes or your money that way."
Some others would say that the people who benefit from suppressing scientific facts are the ones in power who want to continue making money from practices that damage the environment, and get votes by spreading disinformation and hatred.
@stressBear That is very true! None of these people are good company for anyone who suffers from anxiety.
Charlie
@MakoWoman Hi Liz,
You're not the only one anxious about the way the world is going. And working on ecology, like other forms of activism, sounds like part of a good coping mechanism. Activism is good for you, as well as for the planet -- it works by transforming your anxiety to creativity fueled by determination, and perhaps anger. Writing would be a good outlet, or music -- just look back in history (it feels really odd to be saying this -- I was there) at the anti-Vietnam-war movement and the civil rights movement.
Beyond that, take it one day at a time. You can't affect it directly, but by making your voice heard you can influence the people around you, and all politics is local.
I should go and take my own advice. Thank you for your post.
