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To Deal With Anxiety

ElMarstonito

Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2026
Hey guys, I'm from France and I've been lurking on this forum since February 2022 (obviously). I gotta say, you guys, and other experts, taught me so much. Thank you for that. It makes something to actually write here !
When Russia started its war against Ukraine, I was 100% that this was the end of the world, the third world war. It’s because I didn't know a single thing about geopolitics and military strategies.

But I have to say, and I am so ashamed to say it, since this date, I check the news and the forums everyday, multiple times a day, and my anxiety levels are crazy, like, always.

Because even if, thanks to you and experts, I know more about war, deterrence and nuclear weapons, I am still deeply afraid. I go outside, look at people loving their lives and I'm scared that maybe in a second, they won't. I look at my family and I'm afraid to tell them. I don't make plans for the years to come anymore, everything has become about the present, which isn’t bad.

Even if Darknoon (always liked this name, sorry NucID) always told us to prepare, I'm in a form of paralysis. I live in a city, I don't have any basement, I just have rubber tape and plastic for the windows and some cans. But that’s all I was able to do because prepping would make this real and this scare the hell out of me. And because I'm pretty sure I'll die anyway and wouldn't want to live in this world. Paradoxal, uh ?

It’s just, when NucID said he received messages from people who thought about killing themselves over anxiety, well, it kind of hit me. Sometimes I just want to die because this world scares me too much, and everything great that I live is stained by this constant fear. Sometimes it’s low when the news are rare, sometimes I just can't enjoy life, like right now.

When Trump gave its ultimatums, it was in the middle of the night for me, well my body just woke up at the precise time (twice) to check.

Also, sometimes in the forums, some people talk about nuclear use and/or the possibility of a total global war so easily that it creeps me out so much. The return of Friendly Engineer was quite a relief because he is lay back and reassuring. Even if he came back because it’s a new crisis... Not mentioning the press or X, with their sensationalism. Some experts like Pavel Podvig, Bruno Tertrais, Heloise Fayet, Dimitri Alperovich really help. They tend to calm things down and so far they were right.

I cant believe it’s been 4 years. 4 years of constant extreme fear. And it’s not even sufficient for me to just say "hey man, dont waste your time, live". It works for like, an afternoon.

It’s unbearable. I can't take it anymore. I want to know how you guys deal with this. I want to know if some people relate. How to understand this paradoxal thought : constant and extreme fear of nuclear war and use but unability to prepare and cope with it.

Anyways, I really want to thank you guys for your time and hard, hard work. I could never do this. You are essential and just know that every post you make, every message you answer to, you're helping. Thank you guys.
 
I myself try to check the news only once or twice a day, unless there are a lot of special reports. I like to sew or do beadwork. I play my guitar....just doing things that bring me comfort. Chamomile tea or catnip tea helps calm my nerves. (Note: Do not use chamomile tea if you're allergic to daisies. They are in the same plant family!) I talk with my friends and family, maybe go for a ride with them (I can't drive anymore due to health problems) or play a board/card game with them. I go to the swimming pool or other places where I can get some gentle movement in a calm place. When it's warm enough outside I go to the local wildlife refuge and sit in the grass and just feel the embrace of nature. If I am very very afraid, I talk to my Creator and take comfort in Him. Maybe these would help you...maybe not, but this is what helps me. Please talk with a professional if it gets too much for you or you're in danger of hurting yourself.
 
ElMarstonito said:
Even if Darknoon (always liked this name, sorry NucID)
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None taken. I liked it better too. But for reasons I switched to Nuclear-ID. Better branding. And if Twitter funnel for forums don't work out plan on going back to it. Sorry to take away from your post. And thanks for posting!
 
StormyCat said:
I myself try to check the news only once or twice a day, unless there are a lot of special reports. I like to sew or do beadwork. I play my guitar....just doing things that bring me comfort. Chamomile tea or catnip tea helps calm my nerves. (Note: Do not use chamomile tea if you're allergic to daisies. They are in the same plant family!) I talk with my friends and family, maybe go for a ride with them (I can't drive anymore due to health problems) or play a board/card game with them. I go to the swimming pool or other places where I can get some gentle movement in a calm place. When it's warm enough outside I go to the local wildlife refuge and sit in the grass and just feel the embrace of nature. If I am very very afraid, I talk to my Creator and take comfort in Him. Maybe these would help you...maybe not, but this is what helps me. Please talk with a professional if it gets too much for you or you're in danger of hurting yourself.
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Thank you for your reply !
I will try again to focus on the important things, around me. I tried and failed multiple times, but I feel like I HAVE TO do it for real now and accept that I can't control anything, except my own little life. It might mean that I should stop lurking here 24/7.
I'll be fine, don't you worry, but I may see a professional soon.
 
ElMarstonito said:
It’s unbearable. I can't take it anymore. I want to know how you guys deal with this.
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I just simply keep going. But I'm sure that's not what you where looking for. In this area. You either learn to live with the stress or it breaks you and you find a different hobby/learn to ignore news.
 
Good scotch (I prefer talisker skye, it's a cheap single malt but it's damn good) and good friends.
Don't take things too seriously, live a little. Go on a pub crawl, meet people, go dating. Watch movies, tv shows.

Helps me not to worry about it. Keeping a level head even when shit looks like it'll hit the fan takes some practice, trick is to enjoy every second of life to the limit cause god knows how long we've got.
 
NuclearID said:
I just simply keep going. But I'm sure that's not what you where looking for. In this area. You either learn to live with the stress or it breaks you and you find a different hobby/learn to ignore news.
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And I'm far from perfect. I lose my cool offten. But been learning to manage my emotions in that regard. Takes time.
 
NuclearID said:
Takes time.
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Been here almost 20 years. You never stop learning how to manage. Like I said. I just keep going and deal with the consequences later. Probably not the best way. But it's worked for well over a decade so. Just need to learn to better vent the stress so it doesn't add up into anger or emotional outbursts on forums.
 
NuclearID said:
Been here almost 20 years. You never stop learning how to manage. Like I said. I just keep going and deal with the consequences later. Probably not the best way. But it's worked for well over a decade so. Just need to learn to better vent the stress so it doesn't add up into anger or emotional outbursts on forums.
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Heres the thing, “we are all going to die, don’t let it ruin your day”
 
I can't say how grateful I am for all your words. I knew that breaking the 4th wall after 4 years and talk to you guys would appease my mind. I look up to y’all.
By the way one question that always comes to my mind, are y’all super prepared, or only a little, or just some of you ?
Again, thank you. Feels so nice to chat so chill with you guys, there can be so much tension. I will focus on the nice things all around me, I promise.
 
The idea of nuclear war is scary. It isn't something to obsess over, though.

You could get hit by a bus when you walk out of your home. Do you stay inside all the time, then? Do you lie awake thinking about it?

You could eat some bad escargot. (You're French. I couldn't resist!) You could get struck by lightning.

Like any disaster, we can mitigate it. And you will feel more in control when you have knowledge.

Knowledge comes from places like this where we will tell you the truth, not sugar coat it as well as not sensationalising it.

But also preparation. That will go a very long way to calming you down. Because it gives you agency. Rather than feeling helpless, you'll know you've done something.

So let me suggest reading the book Nuclear War Survival Skills. One of the best books out there and completely free. You can even download it from our site. It will tell you the signs to look for when nuclear war is approaching. More importantly, it will tell you how to survive. Even in your apartment. It will make you feel a whole lot better because you will learn that it isn't as bleak as you think it is and not as bleak as the doomsayers want you to believe.

And yes, life it indeed meant to be lived. This is my site. I focus on nuclear war all the time. But I still play video games, go out, have fun, and enjoy life. If I can do that when it is my job to constantly think about doomsday, certainly you can feel confident you can as well.
 
Hey guys, I just wanted to say a few things about this post after few weeks.
Your words were kind and very reassuring and they helped me with my anxiety problem. I accepted more opportunities to go out, hang out, share moments with people and do the things I like. This was great. But unfortunately, I have to admit that I have a real problem with this nuclear war anxiety. But I have some new thoughts about it I thought I might share here. Maybe some people will relate.

I can't seem to be able to not watch the news when things become hot and get extremely anxious to the point that I have panick attacks. I spend litteraly hours on X reading every post by every expert I can find, until I find something ominous and then I think about this non stop. Like right now, all I can think about is the fact that most people consider that a war between Russia and NATO (or Europe) is likely around 2030, or even before according to some experts.
There is also the Taiwan situation that looms ahead, which is likely to take place around the same time. And I just can't believe that deterrence will hold.

I can't even begin to try to understand how panicked I and my close ones will be when shit hits the fan. I just don't want to live the beginning of a world war. I don't want to spend a day where nobody knows if the end of the world will happen before dinner, like during the cuban missiles crisis. And I don't think I will be able to live in a world at war, or post war. I just can't.

So right now, I find myself stuck again. I will try to find some help from a professional. But I highly doubt that I can rewire my brain. It’s like my whole body is afraid. Nonstop.

As always, thank you for your work everyone. You are more than useful. I look up to you all. You are so brave.

M
 
ElMarstonito said:
Hey guys, I just wanted to say a few things about this post after few weeks.
Your words were kind and very reassuring and they helped me with my anxiety problem. I accepted more opportunities to go out, hang out, share moments with people and do the things I like. This was great. But unfortunately, I have to admit that I have a real problem with this nuclear war anxiety. But I have some new thoughts about it I thought I might share here. Maybe some people will relate.

I can't seem to be able to not watch the news when things become hot and get extremely anxious to the point that I have panick attacks. I spend litteraly hours on X reading every post by every expert I can find, until I find something ominous and then I think about this non stop. Like right now, all I can think about is the fact that most people consider that a war between Russia and NATO (or Europe) is likely around 2030, or even before according to some experts.
There is also the Taiwan situation that looms ahead, which is likely to take place around the same time. And I just can't believe that deterrence will hold.

I can't even begin to try to understand how panicked I and my close ones will be when shit hits the fan. I just don't want to live the beginning of a world war. I don't want to spend a day where nobody knows if the end of the world will happen before dinner, like during the cuban missiles crisis. And I don't think I will be able to live in a world at war, or post war. I just can't.

So right now, I find myself stuck again. I will try to find some help from a professional. But I highly doubt that I can rewire my brain. It’s like my whole body is afraid. Nonstop.

As always, thank you for your work everyone. You are more than useful. I look up to you all. You are so brave.

M
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Life is like a rollercoaster. You have your ups and your downs. Remember when your down the up will come eventually, but once your up , be prepared for the next down to come. My thought , if you can't fix it , fuck it, otherwise it will fuck you.
 
Yingyang said:
Life is like a rollercoaster. You have your ups and your downs. Remember when your down the up will come eventually, but once your up , be prepared for the next down to come. My thought , if you can't fix it , fuck it, otherwise it will fuck you.
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Strangely I agree with you for once. As I said before:
NuclearID said:
Been here almost 20 years. You never stop learning how to manage. Like I said. I just keep going and deal with the consequences later. Probably not the best way. But it's worked for well over a decade so. Just need to learn to better vent the stress so it doesn't add up into anger or emotional outbursts on forums.
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If you can't change something, just, let it slide off your shoulder. Suppose it's something you learn. But. Learn how to essentially become a psychopath and turn off emotions at will...

It is how I've learned to live with myself in this field of work I do. Such as seeing videos of genocide or war crimes, than trying to verify them every week like for example just last week seeing a mother holding a baby and being forced off a cliff in Syria to her death with her baby in arms by terrorist trying to genocide the Drews in Southern Syria or the constant never ending escalation partners around the global theater.

Suppose only thing I can tell you is if whatever makes you feel bad think what you can do about it. If there is nothing you can do about it. Forget about it essentially. Not forget but, don't think about it while your living your life. Suppose it's a skill you develop over time. Took me 20 years and still learning.
 
ElMarstonito said:
Hey guys, I just wanted to say a few things about this post after few weeks.
Your words were kind and very reassuring and they helped me with my anxiety problem. I accepted more opportunities to go out, hang out, share moments with people and do the things I like. This was great. But unfortunately, I have to admit that I have a real problem with this nuclear war anxiety. But I have some new thoughts about it I thought I might share here. Maybe some people will relate.

I can't seem to be able to not watch the news when things become hot and get extremely anxious to the point that I have panick attacks. I spend litteraly hours on X reading every post by every expert I can find, until I find something ominous and then I think about this non stop. Like right now, all I can think about is the fact that most people consider that a war between Russia and NATO (or Europe) is likely around 2030, or even before according to some experts.
There is also the Taiwan situation that looms ahead, which is likely to take place around the same time. And I just can't believe that deterrence will hold.

I can't even begin to try to understand how panicked I and my close ones will be when shit hits the fan. I just don't want to live the beginning of a world war. I don't want to spend a day where nobody knows if the end of the world will happen before dinner, like during the cuban missiles crisis. And I don't think I will be able to live in a world at war, or post war. I just can't.

So right now, I find myself stuck again. I will try to find some help from a professional. But I highly doubt that I can rewire my brain. It’s like my whole body is afraid. Nonstop.

As always, thank you for your work everyone. You are more than useful. I look up to you all. You are so brave.

M
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Well number one those year targets you see, are to push countries to spend on defense to prevent that from happening, which Europe is actively doing. Even so “most people” do not consider it likely and the ones that do, mostly believe it would be an action by Russia below the threshold of article 5 to avoid starting a world war. Number two, I suffered the same you did for a long time, and still do to some extent, the biggest advice I can give you is to get off the computer and live your life. Ask yourself this question, what does sitting and reading the news allow you to do about it? Absolutely nothing but get even more worried.
 
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