How To Overcome The Fear Of Going "Crazy"
The phrase "going crazy" may be a response to emotions, mental health symptoms, or behaviors caused by shame. “Crazy” may not be the best descriptor for mental health concerns, as it may feel dehumanizing, stigmatizing, or upsetting. When considering why you feel "crazy," ask yourself about the underlying problem. Are you sad? Angry? Embarrassed?
Checking in with yourself often about your mental state may help you identify emotions. When dealing with rising levels of worry, stress, or overwhelm, fears about your mental health may feel all-encompassing.
You may wonder if you're experiencing a mental health condition or having distressing symptoms. For instance, if you suddenly feel anxious about upcoming deadlines, you may wonder if you have anxiety. Or perhaps you've been feeling sadder than usual and are concerned that you might have depression.
It can be normal to feel sad or struggle with fears and worry. Someone can also experience mental health concerns and not have a diagnosis. If you're unsure why you're feeling a certain way, a professional counselor may be able to provide insight.
Be aware of your feelings
If you are worried about your mental health, consider the feeling behind it. You may ask yourself:
Am I feeling scared?
Am I feeling down?
Am I overwhelmed with demands and commitments?
Has someone judged me recently for my emotions or behaviors?
Am I experiencing relationship challenges?
Am I worried about a loved one?
Am I scared about world events?
Am I getting proper sleep, exercise, and nutrition?
Are there any substances that may be impacting my mood?
Am I remembering a difficult or traumatic event?
Am I having distressing, intrusive thoughts?
Am I experiencing symptoms of anxiety attacks or panic attacks?
Awareness of your feelings can be the first step to addressing your concerns and emotions. From there, you may be on your way to learning ways to treat your symptoms, such as joining support groups or engaging in physical activity to improve mood.
What is mental health?
According to MentalHealth.gov, mental health includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being and impacts how we feel, think, act, cope, and adjust.
Mental health can change throughout your life, from childhood to adulthood. Genetics and life events play crucial roles, as they can later impact your mental health, including causing mental illnesses and anxiety symptoms.
For some people, there can be a mental health shift throughout life. Someone who hasn't experienced distressing symptoms often before may have a fear of "going crazy." The onset of mental health symptoms may be caused by a traumatic event, grief, loss, or a significant life change, leading to conditions like panic disorder or obsessive compulsive disorder. It may also happen without any apparent cause.
I'm worried about my mental health—now what?
If you're worried about your mental health, experiencing symptoms or feeling anxious, consulting your primary care doctor/healthcare team or a licensed mental health professional may help address your concerns. You do not need to have a diagnosis, like an anxiety disorder, to see a professional. Professional counselors are trained to aid in various topics, including daily stressors, personal concerns, and significant distress.
Suppose you are diagnosed with a mental health condition. In that case, your health team may be able to give you resources and guidance about finding the proper treatment, including medication, therapy, or a combination of both. In therapy, you'll have a say on what is discussed and what you're comfortable trying.
Consider self-care strategies
Research-based self-care strategies that boost and support mental wellness may also alleviate distressing feelings or symptoms.
Some strategies to try include:
Eating regular, healthy meals and staying hydrated: Nutrition and hydration can help you maintain your energy and feel good physically and emotionally. Limiting caffeine may also ease nervousness.
Exercise: 30 minutes of walking or other forms of exercise daily can boost endorphins—the "feel good chemical" that your brain releases. Taking time to yourself to exercise may distract you from intense feelings, as well.
Spending time outside:Research shows that spending time in nature can improve mental health and reduce stress.
Getting proper sleep: The right amount of sleep helps with emotional control and supports mental health. Adults should aim for seven or more hours a night; teens should get 8 to 10 hours a night.
Prioritizing tasks and setting goals: To avoid feeling overwhelmed, consider setting goals or keeping a planner to organize your thoughts.
Practicing gratitude: Consciously reminding yourself daily about specific things you're thankful for may help you feel more optimistic. Studies show that journaling may improve mental health.
Focusing on positive thoughts: Write a list of your negative thoughts and try to spin them into neutral or positive alternatives.
Staying connected with others: Friends and family may offer emotional support and prevent you from feelings of isolation. Studies show that social connection is essential for mental well-being.
I experience intrusive thoughts—how do I stop them?
Intrusive thoughts are unwanted thoughts that may seem to come from nowhere and could be related to developing mental illness or anxiety disorders. They may cause distress, fear, upset, or panic attacks. The repetitive thoughts may be worries about safety, health, or losing touch with one's own mind. You may feel fearful or shameful for thinking these thoughts, and they may be something that you would never want someone to associate you with. For example, you may be worried that you are "crazy" and think about it often to the point of anxiety or fear.
Some intrusive thoughts could include violent, explicit, or socially unacceptable images, which may cause shame and fear. Many people who experience intrusive thoughts may also have distressing worries that the unwanted thoughts or ideas mean that they unconsciously want to act on them, potentially leading to a panic attack or physical symptoms. However, research shows that intrusive thoughts do not indicate a higher possibility of completing the actions within the thought or developing serious mental illness.
Intrusive thoughts may be distressing because they're unacceptable to the person having them and not in line with what they think is right, what they want to do, or what they will do. A person with intrusive thoughts may try desperately to suppress the thoughts, which may fuel them even more. One strategy to handle intrusive thoughts is to form a new relationship with them.
Forming a new relationship with your intrusive thoughts
Consider practicing the following steps to create a new relationship with intrusive thoughts or worries, especially if they cause you to feel like you might lose control or experience panic.
Label the thoughts or images as intrusive or unwanted.
Remind yourself that the thoughts are automatic and that you did not cause them.
Accept that the thoughts are happening with a neutral attitude. Allow them to stay in your mind until they disappear. Do not reject them, respond to them, or think about what they mean about you. Deep breathing may help you through this step.
Continue what you were doing before the intrusive thought. The thought and uncomfortable feelings may be present. However, continue to accept the thoughts and attempt to focus on your day-to-day life.
Avoid trying to engage in the thoughts or analyzing what the thoughts mean.
Continue applying this approach. It may not work immediately, but it may help decrease the intrusive thoughts with practice.
Should I see a mental health professional?
If you fear for your mental health or experience physical sensations that concern you, connecting with a licensed mental health professional who can listen without judgment may help address your worries and any concerning feelings. Intrusive thoughts, while distressing and uncomfortable, are not generally linked to brain damage.
If patterns or changes in thoughts, feelings, or behaviors (or a combination) cause distress or interfere with functioning in work, social, or family life, a person may be living with a mental health condition, such as post traumatic stress disorder or severe PTSD.
It may be worth seeing a professional if you notice the following:
Notable changes in eating habits, sleep patterns, and personality
Prolonged depression or sadness
An inability to cope with day-to-day activities and challenges
Withdrawal from activities that you found pleasurable or a necessary part of your life (like a job or school)
Social withdrawal
Intense feelings of anger
Substance abuse
Intense fear of weight gain or obsessive worry about body image
Suicidal thinking
Feeling terrified all of the time or panicking often
Feeling that you are “reliving” a traumatic or scary event
Seeing or hearing things that others don't see or hear
If you fear for your mental health, connecting with a licensed mental health professional who can listen without judgment may help address your worries and any concerning feelings.
If at any time you or a loved one has thoughts or plans of suicide, help is available immediately. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline offers support 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255 or 988 by call or text within the US.
Where do I find a mental health provider?
Your primary care physician/healthcare team, insurance company, or local health department may offer you referrals for mental health care. You may also find affordable mental health services through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Many resources are listed on the SAMHSA website. You can also call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) to get more information. If you're interested in a digital alternative, sites like BetterHelp offer an online connection with a licensed mental health professional. Online therapy may be more affordable than traditional in-person counseling.
Worrying about your mental health may make you feel that you are "going crazy" or have “crazy feels.” However, there are ways to reframe these thoughts and validate what you're going through. If you are unsure how to calm these worries on your own, a counselor may be a valuable option. There is no shame in seeking help; 44.1 million adults seek counseling annually for various issues. Many treatment options are available, and many modern therapists work to destigmatize mental health. Online therapy has become a popular treatment method and is effective in treating prolonged stress and other concerns.
Using kind words and scientific descriptors for what you're going through may also help destigmatize mental health for yourself. Using stigmatized words like "crazy" may feel hurtful to yourself or others. Communicating about mental health, having open discussions about its reality, using self-care strategies at home, and reaching out for professional help when needed may help you break this stigma and feel less shame about your mental health symptoms.
Takeaway
It may feel easy to judge yourself for intense emotions, symptoms, or behaviors. However, with most people experiencing challenges at some point in their lives, you're not alone or "crazy." A licensed mental health practitioner may be able to help you move forward from these thoughts or feelings, and address any real danger you may face. If you're ready, consider taking the first step.
Why am I scared that I'm going crazy?
It may be worth noting that the term “going crazy” can be dehumanizing to people with mental health disorders. The phrase “going crazy” is often associated with mental illnesses like schizophrenia, which can cause psychosis: a loss of touch with reality that may include hallucinations and delusions. Therefore, a more appropriate phrase might be “developing a severe mental illness” or “having a psychotic break.”
Fear of having a psychotic break can be a common symptom of anxiety disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). People with undiagnosed mental illnesses may feel a sense of “losing control,” which can also contribute to this fear. If you have concerns about your mental health, it may be worth talking to a mental healthcare provider.
Is the fear of psychosis the same as OCD?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental illness that can cause uncontrollable and repetitive thoughts, worries, and behaviors. People with OCD may experience obsessions centered around having a psychotic episode. However, this is not always the case. OCD may not always involve a fear of psychosis, and a fear of psychosis may not always be a symptom of OCD.
How do you cure the fear of psychosis?
Being afraid of experiencing psychosis or losing touch with reality can be a stressful and negative experience. This fear can be a fairly common symptom of an underlying anxiety disorder, which may also cause obsessive thoughts, self-doubt, and other symptoms.
Examples of mental illnesses that may cause a fear of psychosis include:
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Illness anxiety disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Specific phobias
In these cases, treating anxiety may help reduce the fear of psychosis. This may involve talk therapy, medication, support groups, or lifestyle changes.
Below are some other helpful tips that may be useful for overcoming a fear of psychosis:
- Be patient with yourself.
- Get plenty of exercise and sleep, which can both help reduce anxiety symptoms.
- Limit caffeine intake, especially after noon.
- Practice mindfulness, deep breathing, and other grounding exercises.
- Research the symptoms of psychosis to get more familiar with them.
- Avoid unhealthy coping skills, like reliance on alcohol or drugs.
- Don’t hesitate to reach out for support if you need it.
These strategies may be helpful for managing the anxiety you may be feeling. If you are experiencing distressing symptoms, it may also be worth contacting a mental health professional for guidance.
How do I know if I'm having a psychotic break?
It may be worth remembering that people experiencing a psychotic break are often not aware that their beliefs or perceptions are not based in reality. It may also be worth remembering that psychosis can look different for different people. That said, symptoms of a psychotic break may include:
- Disorganized or irrational thoughts
- False beliefs that have no basis in reality
- Visual or auditory hallucinations
- Trouble telling the difference between what’s real and what isn’t
If you are experiencing these symptoms, it may be worth contacting a mental health professional. They may be able to provide a proper diagnosis or recommend next steps, such as mental health counseling, medication, or admission to a psychiatric ward or psychiatric hospital.
Is it normal to think you're having a psychotic break?
It can be distressing and intense to have symptoms that make you wonder if you are experiencing psychosis. That said, it is not uncommon for certain triggers to make people feel like they’re losing control or developing a severe mental illness. Some may even cause symptoms that can mimic some of the symptoms of psychosis. Examples of these may include:
- Anxiety disorders
- Chronic stress
- Sleep deprivation
- Depression
- Traumatic experiences
- Alcohol and drugs
- Head injuries
If you are having doubts or concerns about your mental health, it may be a good idea to discuss them with a mental health specialist.
Am I having a psychotic break or is it anxiety?
Telling the difference between psychosis and anxiety may not always be easy, especially since certain anxiety symptoms can look similar to symptoms of a psychotic break. These may include:
- Paranoid thoughts
- Intrusive thoughts
- Racing thoughts
- Trouble thinking clearly
- A sense of “losing control”
That said, there are a few symptoms that tend to set psychosis apart from anxiety. Psychosis tends to cause delusions, or beliefs that have no basis in reality. For example, someone having a psychotic break might believe that they can read minds, that they’re friends with a movie star, or that someone is plotting against them. Hallucinations are another common symptom of psychosis, which may cause people to see or hear things that aren’t there.
That said, both psychotic breaks and anxiety symptoms can be different for different people.
Why am I so scared of psychosis?
Psychosis can be a distressing experience involving hallucinations, disorganized thinking, delusions, or a loss of touch with reality. Its symptoms can be frightening and confusing, especially if the person experiencing them doesn’t realize what’s happening. This, combined with media portrayals and stereotypes about psychotic breaks, can make people afraid they might develop psychosis.
Being scared of psychosis may also indicate the presence of an underlying mental health condition. For example, illness anxiety, a type of anxiety about possible health conditions, can cause people to fear mental illnesses like psychosis. Other mental illnesses, like PTSD, can also cause a fear of losing touch with reality.
That said, it can be worth remembering that psychosis can look different depending on the person, and it may be manageable with the proper treatment and support.
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