View Full Version : Ukraine. Fear or war. Please help
Moscow have listed impossible demands to NATO which NATO will all but refuse to listen to. This is terrifying me. How is this not front page news everywhere???
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Hi. I am also very worried about this and it’s triggering my obsessively checking news and I feel myself spiralling.
I don’t know what I can say to help you calm down. The only things I can suggest are to stop reading the news, to do some
mindfulness or meditation and to be kind to yourself.
In times when I feel worried, I try to remind myself that there’s really nothing that I can do individually about this or most any other situations of international conflict. The time I spend worrying could be spent taking care of myself or doing something else productive or useful.
I’m really sorry you’re worrying; I know what you’re going through.
No one has suggested any specific threats to the UK though so far.
Nor is it the BBC's foremost news article right now.
No one has suggested any specific threats to the UK though so far.
Nor is it the BBC's foremost news article right now.But a threat/conflict with NATO affects us all.
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But a threat/conflict with NATO affects us all.
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Doesn't automatically mean a full-on World War Three though, especially willy-nilly.
Whilst I'm no expert on warfare and likewise subjects, there's obviously various procedures to go through before waltzing into a full-on war of any kind. Plus the situation today is vastly different to that in 1939.
Doesn't automatically mean a full-on World War Three though, especially willy-nilly.
Whilst I'm no expert on warfare and likewise subjects, there's obviously various procedures to go through before waltzing into a full-on war of any kind. Plus the situation today is vastly different to that in 1939.Spot on Lenco. Nuclear weapons, for all the terror they create, have kept the world from descending into another full on global conflict since 1945. The mutually assured destruction, should one superpower decide to start loosing the missiles off, is a monumental deterrent. There would be no winner. Putin knows this, Biden knows it. Only an accident, if one was accidentally launched, would lead to trouble. And its not like they have a big red button marked 'fire' that someone could carelessly sit on.
I think Putin is just sabre rattling. Russia has been invaded in the past, think Napoleon and Hitler, and they get edgy sometimes. They have a lot of border to secure.
Pamplemousse
18-12-21, 18:14
I think Putin is just sabre rattling.
He does a lot of that to prop up his regime.
Spot on Lenco. Nuclear weapons, for all the terror they create, have kept the world from descending into another full on global conflict since 1945. The mutually assured destruction, should one superpower decide to start loosing the missiles off, is a monumental deterrent. There would be no winner. Putin knows this, Biden knows it. Only an accident, if one was accidentally launched, would lead to trouble. And its not like they have a big red button marked 'fire' that someone could carelessly sit on.
I think Putin is just sabre rattling. Russia has been invaded in the past, think Napoleon and Hitler, and they get edgy sometimes. They have a lot of border to secure.
It's most ironic that the advent of nukes, terrifying as they are, have seemingly kept the world from full-on wars since WW2 ended.
Let's face it, Putin has been in power for more than 2 decades now, which is quite a long time, and if something mega drastic was to happen, surely it would already have happened at some point between then and now, even though no doubt someone's likely to pipe up with something like 'it's never too late'.
As far as NATO are concerned, hasn't one of their main aims always been to avert full-on global conflicts? Ditto for the UN, etc?
Also, don't certain protocols according to the Geneva Convention seek to do the same?
I reiterate I'm no expert on the matter, so I'm more than willing to be proved wrong.
Also, remember around this time last year, someone on here was terrified of the thought of Trump pressing a red button (more to do with the election), which never actually came to pass?
I have just read on the BBC News site that it's HIGHLY UNLIKELY that UK troops will be deployed in Ukraine.
Oh no. Oh no no no. 2022 is when World War III starts, isn't it!?
Oh no. Oh no no no. 2022 is when World War III starts, isn't it!?Who told you that Frank? WW3 has been forecast to start about every year since WW2 came to an end.
Who told you that Frank? WW3 has been forecast to start about every year since WW2 came to an end.
It seems apparent to me. Have you noticed how a major crisis happens early in January?
Who told you that Frank? WW3 has been forecast to start about every year since WW2 came to an end.
So what you're basically implying to a certain degree is 'twas ever thus'.
It's one of those hyped-up 'worst-case scenario' things that keeps getting trotted out every now and then by certain media publications, and no doubt by certain factions on social media. A kind of 'crying wolf' situation?
Don't get me wrong, the thought of a full-on war really fills me with immense dread, but for us to actually go this long since 1945 without a third world war is some kind of feat in itself.
Probably (and most ironically), like you already said upthread, due to the advent of nuke weaponry, as scary as it is.
I reckon Confusion, FrankT and others of their ilk should try to avoid certain publications like the Daily Depress like the plague, as they have always had a penchant for such hypothetical scare stories!
Also there doesn't appear to be 'new' news on the BBC site today about this Ukraine 'crisis'.
It seems apparent to me. Have you noticed how a major crisis happens early in January?
But major crises can happen during any month of the year, Frank, not just in early January.
And not just wars either.
What will be the outcome if Russia and the U.S can't agree to anything in the upcoming talks?
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Nothing drastic, that's for sure.
Nothing drastic, that's for sure.Do you mean that frank or is this sarcasm? I hope it's not.
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Well I'd think it'd take more than a lack of agreement at a summit to cause a total breakdown of relations.
Well I'd think it'd take more than a lack of agreement at a summit to cause a total breakdown of relations.
I doubt the UK govt would rush to get involved in any such conflict right now, after all it would basically be political suicide for Boris and Co right now, what with scandal after scandal already!
edgeofpanic
22-01-22, 10:54
For anyone reading this thread: firstly I'm as scared as any of you. I've lived with the fear of WW3 since I was about 8 years old and saw some Panorama program about this. Very scary. These incidents have cropped up over the years time and time again. Remeber early Jan 2020? You can find threads on this forum from back then and yes here we all are (still). Im not playing it down but these forums have some very good level headed people on them and its been a source of relief for me reading some of these posts over the years. The points made here about deterrent are very solid points that should give you some comfort.
To cut a very long story short I'm currently go thorugh therapy and have some CBT workbooks about how to manage worries. Ive been using this over the last week to "postpone" these worries and it really does help. Its not easy and not an instant fix but I'm working on trying to get my worrying under control (not just this subject but a number of things). The idea is not to suppress the worry but also not to give time to it either, just acknowledge it (you can even say out loud "thanks for the reminder") and then set a time of day to send say 15 mins giving thought to your worries. This is called thinking time and its time for you to think about those things in a constructive way. Its a bit of a balance not suppressing and not giving time but distraction on tasks like work or such really help. Follow up thinking time with something you like doing like a book, music etc
Yesterday I did look at headlines but what I found is when I read into the contents or articles its more pragmatic a lot of headlines shout to grab attention whereas the content is much more palatable (usually) - but choose your news sources well, avoid tabloids etc. Some folks on here have already shared some alternative news sources (thank you)
Remeber we are all in the same boat, we all have lives, kids worries. You're not alone, together we'll get through this!
For anyone reading this thread: firstly I'm as scared as any of you. I've lived with the fear of WW3 since I was about 8 years old and saw some Panorama program about this. Very scary. These incidents have cropped up over the years time and time again. Remeber early Jan 2020? You can find threads on this forum from back then and yes here we all are (still). Im not playing it down but these forums have some very good level headed people on them and its been a source of relief for me reading some of these posts over the years. The points made here about deterrent are very solid points that should give you some comfort.
To cut a very long story short I'm currently go thorugh therapy and have some CBT workbooks about how to manage worries. Ive been using this over the last week to "postpone" these worries and it really does help. Its not easy and not an instant fix but I'm working on trying to get my worrying under control (not just this subject but a number of things). The idea is not to suppress the worry but also not to give time to it either, just acknowledge it (you can even say out loud "thanks for the reminder") and then set a time of day to send say 15 mins giving thought to your worries. This is called thinking time and its time for you to think about those things in a constructive way. Its a bit of a balance not suppressing and not giving time but distraction on tasks like work or such really help. Follow up thinking time with something you like doing like a book, music etc
Yesterday I did look at headlines but what I found is when I read into the contents or articles its more pragmatic a lot of headlines shout to grab attention whereas the content is much more palatable (usually) - but choose your news sources well, avoid tabloids etc. Some folks on here have already shared some alternative news sources (thank you)
Remeber we are all in the same boat, we all have lives, kids worries. You're not alone, together we'll get through this!Thank you for this. I'm avoiding all news ATM. Just trying to get through each day and hoping that by the time I'm relatively back to normal, all of this will have somewhat blown over.
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Today the Ukraine vs Russia thingy seems to have slipped right down the pecking order of virtually all the major news outlets (notably the BBC and Sky News).
Yesterday it seemed to occupy the foremost headline slot in nearly all the UK's outlets after mostly being lower key and more 'in the background' since around November-December, but yesterday also seemed to be a slower news day on the domestic front.
Although I'm trying to keep a level head during all of this but I can't help wondering how this current situation compares with that of say, 1939?
The last-but-one post was very interesting as he/she harked back to the panic expressed on here concerning the Iran atrocities in early January 2020 and various other similar war-related panics that have been known to crop up before it every now and then; another fairly recent example prior to then being in the spring of 2018 following the Salisbury poisoning incident in early March followed by (unconnected) atrocities in Syria around early April.
Of course what will be will be, and the media must ultimately report on the Ukraine/Russia affair responsibly and with minimal scaremongering/
sensationalism over what might or might not happen.
For anyone reading this thread: firstly I'm as scared as any of you. I've lived with the fear of WW3 since I was about 8 years old and saw some Panorama program about this. Very scary. These incidents have cropped up over the years time and time again. Remeber early Jan 2020? You can find threads on this forum from back then and yes here we all are (still). Im not playing it down but these forums have some very good level headed people on them and its been a source of relief for me reading some of these posts over the years. The points made here about deterrent are very solid points that should give you some comfort.
To cut a very long story short I'm currently go thorugh therapy and have some CBT workbooks about how to manage worries. Ive been using this over the last week to "postpone" these worries and it really does help. Its not easy and not an instant fix but I'm working on trying to get my worrying under control (not just this subject but a number of things). The idea is not to suppress the worry but also not to give time to it either, just acknowledge it (you can even say out loud "thanks for the reminder") and then set a time of day to send say 15 mins giving thought to your worries. This is called thinking time and its time for you to think about those things in a constructive way. Its a bit of a balance not suppressing and not giving time but distraction on tasks like work or such really help. Follow up thinking time with something you like doing like a book, music etc
Yesterday I did look at headlines but what I found is when I read into the contents or articles its more pragmatic a lot of headlines shout to grab attention whereas the content is much more palatable (usually) - but choose your news sources well, avoid tabloids etc. Some folks on here have already shared some alternative news sources (thank you)
Remeber we are all in the same boat, we all have lives, kids worries. You're not alone, together we'll get through this!
Very wise words.
I told you this would be the January crisis. Now I'm convinced we're heading for a nuclear war. I don't know what to do, what to say. I had a meltdown over it last night. I haven't had one that bad since 2016.
I told you this would be the January crisis. Now I'm convinced we're heading for a nuclear war. I don't know what to do, what to say. I had a meltdown over it last night. I haven't had one that bad since 2016.
But nothing has actually happened yet though Frank.
There's still ongoing negotiations as opposed to waltzing into a full-blown world war willy-nilly. I thought that one of the main purposes of NATO, the UN, etc was to lessen the chances of all-out 1940s style global conflicts.
Also, are Russia still the same beasts they were back in the 70s and 80s era?
Also, are Russia still the same beasts they were back in the 70s and 80s era?
I assume so.
Have built a bunker,Frank?
Matthew1233
24-01-22, 10:37
It's scary I know, I am worried but try reading this: https://debunkingdoomsday.quora.com/No-way-Russia-wants-to-attack-NATO-never-any-risk-of-World-War-3-and-Russia-said-many-times-they-won-t-attack-the-Uk
It's scary I know, I am worried but try reading this: https://debunkingdoomsday.quora.com/No-way-Russia-wants-to-attack-NATO-never-any-risk-of-World-War-3-and-Russia-said-many-times-they-won-t-attack-the-UkThis is very helpful and reassuring. Thank you.
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Matthew1233
24-01-22, 11:43
This is very helpful and reassuring. Thank you.
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No problem, apparently the guy who writes that is reliable and uses good sources to back his claims, he also has articles on the Doomsday Clock and Nuclear War too
The thing is the things you fear most are not something any sane leader wants or would lead the world down either. Putin is a great many things, but he's not insane, and he's not stupid. I'd be a lot happier if leaders didn't play these dangerous games of brinksmanship, but it's not likely to end in WW3. He's not a Bond villain, he has interest in self-preservation, not world destruction. And Russia and the West have been on the opposite sides in many situations over the decades, and we're still all here.
Beware of rolling news. The modern media bubbles anything new to the surface in a need for continual content, and headlines are made to trigger people's curiosity or anxiety to encourage clicks (and when drilled down content is usually much more sober than headlines suggest, and contain a hell of a lot of speculation). In the old days many worrying details or uncertainties fizzled out long before a more sober analysis in weekly, or even by the time of deadlines of daily, newspapers. Try to limit your rolling news consumption. Whatever happens will happen whether you're watching or not, and in the unlikely circumstances something bad did happen, it's not like you wouldn't be told about it.
Matthew1233
24-01-22, 14:32
The thing is the things you fear most are not something any sane leader wants or would lead the world down either. Putin is a great many things, but he's not insane, and he's not stupid. I'd be a lot happier if leaders didn't play these dangerous games of brinksmanship, but it's not likely to end in WW3. He's not a Bond villain, he has interest in self-preservation, not world destruction. And Russia and the West have been on the opposite sides in many situations over the decades, and we're still all here.
Beware of rolling news. The modern media bubbles anything new to the surface in a need for continual content, and headlines are made to trigger people's curiosity or anxiety to encourage clicks (and when drilled down content is usually much more sober than headlines suggest, and contain a hell of a lot of speculation). In the old days many worrying details or uncertainties fizzled out long before a more sober analysis in weekly, or even by the time of deadlines of daily, newspapers. Try to limit your rolling news consumption. Whatever happens will happen whether you're watching or not, and in the unlikely circumstances something bad did happen, it's not like you wouldn't be told about it.
You see while I read the news, I tend to go websites such as Quora and Reddit and read/ask questions about will Russia-Ukraine cause WW3/Nuclear war, and when I read replies and people's thought (some of whom are a specialist in subjects, mostly Quora) that's what fuels my anxiety, as well as looking at DEFCON levels
You see while I read the news, I tend to go websites such as Quora and Reddit and read/ask questions about will Russia-Ukraine cause WW3/Nuclear war, and when I read replies and people's thought (some of whom are a specialist in subjects, mostly Quora) that's what fuels my anxiety, as well as looking at DEFCON levels
There are lots of voices on the Internet who'll tell you we're on the cusp of disaster, and others who'll say Putin is a cuddly lovely man who's being slandered by the West and nothing bad will or could ever happen, and everything in between. You can find any opinion you, or your anxiety, wants. I'm sure the real experts aren't spending their days propping up Quora and Reddit like pub bores on bar stools.
There are lots of voices on the Internet who'll tell you we're on the cusp of disaster, and others who'll say Putin is a cuddly lovely man who's being slandered by the West and nothing bad will or could ever happen, and everything in between. You can find any opinion you, or your anxiety, wants. I'm sure the real experts aren't spending their days propping up Quora and Reddit like pub bores on bar stools.
I think you're correct. The media love situations like this, especially with £s in mind. Twas ever thus in many ways.
Also of course, not forgetting the serial know-it-alls on social media who are itching to say 'I told you so' if the worst-case scenarios come true, in any Armageddon/Doomsday-like event.
It's scary I know, I am worried but try reading this: https://debunkingdoomsday.quora.com/No-way-Russia-wants-to-attack-NATO-never-any-risk-of-World-War-3-and-Russia-said-many-times-they-won-t-attack-the-Uk
A very interesting article Matthew.
Although this hasn't necessarily been suggested but I can't for the life of me imagine why Russia would specifically wish to wage a war with the UK.
Let's face it, we're hardly a global 'bogeyman', plus I'm sure I read something briefly yesterday on the BBC site that our govt currently have no plans to send our troops to Russia or Ukraine.
But at least the big panics over Covid now seem to be starting to die down.
Matthew1233
24-01-22, 15:52
A very interesting article Matthew.
Although this hasn't necessarily been suggested but I can't for the life of me imagine why Russia would specifically wish to wage a war with the UK.
Let's face it, we're hardly a global 'bogeyman', plus I'm sure I read something briefly yesterday on the BBC site that our govt currently have no plans to send our troops to Russia or Ukraine.
But at least the big panics over Covid now seem to be starting to die down.
I think the main worry lies with the US- apparently Biden wants to send troops to Eastern Europe but I'm not sure if that is entirely accurate only found the post via NY Times and a DEFCON website
I think you know the answer is to stop reading DEFCON websites.
I understand as I had this during Covid - poring over technical briefings I wasn't the audience for or trained to understand trying to figure it out and get certainty. But we're not. It's a horrible thing anxiety as we feel like the way to quash it is by getting reassurance, but in reality it's learning to be OK that we don't know because we're chasing certainty it's impossible to have.
Matthew1233
24-01-22, 17:29
I think you know the answer is to stop reading DEFCON websites.
I understand as I had this during Covid - poring over technical briefings I wasn't the audience for or trained to understand trying to figure it out and get certainty. But we're not. It's a horrible thing anxiety as we feel like the way to quash it is by getting reassurance, but in reality it's learning to be OK that we don't know because we're chasing certainty it's impossible to have.
I know it is just really hard at times
Matthew1233
24-01-22, 21:00
This has me worried a bit BBC News - Ukraine: US troops on high alert over stand-off
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60118193
Another example of a headline more scary than the article.
Only 8K troops on standby
Says Biden is still mulling over all options
Explicitly saying there's no plans to send them to Ukraine.
There will so much brinksmanship, bluff, and "coulds", "mights", "ruling nothing out" - honestly rolling news can only do you harm right now.
My therapist compares my doomscrolling to an alcoholic "just having the one".
Matthew1233
25-01-22, 08:56
You're right they aren't sending them to Ukraine- I overlooked that when I read this in a panic. Also found another article by Debunking Doomsday: https://debunkingdoomsday.quora.com/NATO-and-the-US-are-NOT-preparing-to-fight-Russia-these-movements-of-troops-and-ships-are-symbolic-gestures-and-nobo
While that seems a level-headed analysis, you also need to stop chasing the reassurance. I used to do this with Covid, there was one Twitter account that was very sensible and good at putting things in context. But he was human and had times where he had bad days and was gloomy about the situation, or had a break from talking about it, and when he was gloomy it made me worse because I was over-reliant on that for my own wellbeing.
As with "will there be another lockdown?" last year, "how will this situation play out?" is something even experts are figuring out, and our anxiety tricks us into thinking we can research ourselves better. But we may get temporary reprieve but our anxiety will always hone in on any doubt. The example above is a good one - you saw an article with some scary bits "troops on standby!", but not the not scary bit "but won't be sent to Ukraine!".
Part of therapy for me was working out I need to resist the compulsions to research my way out of anxiety. That's what I mean by the alcoholic analogy above - thinking "oh just one to take the edge off won't hurt" even though you know how messy it got before. It's so, so hard, do seek some professional help if you're struggling because in all these situations the very worst is still unlikely to happen, there'll be a lot of false alarms and worrying situations in our lifetimes, and you'll waste your life to scouring Reddit when you could be living.
While that seems a level-headed analysis, you also need to stop chasing the reassurance. I used to do this with Covid, there was one Twitter account that was very sensible and good at putting things in context. But he was human and had times where he had bad days and was gloomy about the situation, or had a break from talking about it, and when he was gloomy it made me worse because I was over-reliant on that for my own wellbeing.
As with "will there be another lockdown?" last year, "how will this situation play out?" is something even experts are figuring out, and our anxiety tricks us into thinking we can research ourselves better. But we may get temporary reprieve but our anxiety will always hone in on any doubt. The example above is a good one - you saw an article with some scary bits "troops on standby!", but not the not scary bit "but won't be sent to Ukraine!".
Part of therapy for me was working out I need to resist the compulsions to research my way out of anxiety. That's what I mean by the alcoholic analogy above - thinking "oh just one to take the edge off won't hurt" even though you know how messy it got before. It's so, so hard, do seek some professional help if you're struggling because in all these situations the very worst is still unlikely to happen, there'll be a lot of false alarms and worrying situations in our lifetimes, and you'll waste your life to scouring Reddit when you could be living.
Of course we all need to beware of the ever-present misinformation and 'fake news' that will inevitably doing the rounds concerning this issue.
Sadly, there are some very irresponsible individuals around who revel in scaremongering. Some of them to me come across as 'bullies'.
Our govt did reiterate yesterday that there's currently no plans to deploy our troops. I guess on the home front, especially owing to recent/current domestic events, that would be even further political suicide for Boris and Co, especially if done willy-nilly!
Matthew1233
25-01-22, 09:50
While that seems a level-headed analysis, you also need to stop chasing the reassurance. I used to do this with Covid, there was one Twitter account that was very sensible and good at putting things in context. But he was human and had times where he had bad days and was gloomy about the situation, or had a break from talking about it, and when he was gloomy it made me worse because I was over-reliant on that for my own wellbeing.
As with "will there be another lockdown?" last year, "how will this situation play out?" is something even experts are figuring out, and our anxiety tricks us into thinking we can research ourselves better. But we may get temporary reprieve but our anxiety will always hone in on any doubt. The example above is a good one - you saw an article with some scary bits "troops on standby!", but not the not scary bit "but won't be sent to Ukraine!".
Part of therapy for me was working out I need to resist the compulsions to research my way out of anxiety. That's what I mean by the alcoholic analogy above - thinking "oh just one to take the edge off won't hurt" even though you know how messy it got before. It's so, so hard, do seek some professional help if you're struggling because in all these situations the very worst is still unlikely to happen, there'll be a lot of false alarms and worrying situations in our lifetimes, and you'll waste your life to scouring Reddit when you could be living.
That is true, I just find it hard when I am sitting in front of a computer all day working on the internet
Panicattacka
25-01-22, 14:41
BoJo can eat another slice of cake and take a nice long sip of STFU. I'm not having these elitist hypocrites send poor young UK lads to war yet again, under-funded and under-equipped, all at the beck and call of the bloody war-mongering, violence-addicted USA. Not our war, we are not even in the bloody EU anymore. As if one Ukrainian would be daft enough to fight and die for England if the tables were turned.
Remember when the USA got so angry at commies on their door step in Cuba that it threatened global nuclear war in 1962, yet we are supposed to be 'morally outraged' by the Russians reacting the same way as Nato expands ever closer to its borders. Pffft:mad:
Pamplemousse
26-01-22, 11:08
Not our war, we are not even in the bloody EU anymore.
Wrong.
The UK is a signatory of the Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances (https://treaties.un.org/Pages/showDetails.aspx?objid=0800000280401fbb) and, as such, a guarantor of Ukraine's security. Therefore, if anyone threatens, let alone attacks, Ukraine it is very much "our war".
While that seems a level-headed analysis, you also need to stop chasing the reassurance. I used to do this with Covid, there was one Twitter account that was very sensible and good at putting things in context. But he was human and had times where he had bad days and was gloomy about the situation, or had a break from talking about it, and when he was gloomy it made me worse because I was over-reliant on that for my own wellbeing.
As with "will there be another lockdown?" last year, "how will this situation play out?" is something even experts are figuring out, and our anxiety tricks us into thinking we can research ourselves better. But we may get temporary reprieve but our anxiety will always hone in on any doubt. The example above is a good one - you saw an article with some scary bits "troops on standby!", but not the not scary bit "but won't be sent to Ukraine!".
Part of therapy for me was working out I need to resist the compulsions to research my way out of anxiety. That's what I mean by the alcoholic analogy above - thinking "oh just one to take the edge off won't hurt" even though you know how messy it got before. It's so, so hard, do seek some professional help if you're struggling because in all these situations the very worst is still unlikely to happen, there'll be a lot of false alarms and worrying situations in our lifetimes, and you'll waste your life to scouring Reddit when you could be living.
Great point about resisting the compulsions to research your way out of anxiety.
Matthew1233
26-01-22, 16:12
My anxiety over this wasnt too bad yesterday but seemed to get bad today after seeing headline such as 'Russian retaliation' etc. and reaidng people's tweet and posts which I know is a pointless thing to do.
My anxiety over this wasnt too bad yesterday but seemed to get bad today after seeing headline such as 'Russian retaliation' etc. and reaidng people's tweet and posts which I know is a pointless thing to do.
Just out of interest Matthew, where did you read the headline about 'Russian retaliation', as I just checked the BBC site and there's no such headline?
Also, try to resist the temptation to 'doomscroll' social media and the Internet in general, as there are inevitably many dubious WUMs who are revelling in all of this right now and spreading misinformation and gossip.
Only visit reputable news outlets like the BBC, Sky, etc.
Matthew1233
26-01-22, 16:57
Just out of interest Matthew, where did you read the headline about 'Russian retaliation', as I just checked the BBC site and there's no such headline?
Also, try to resist the temptation to 'doomscroll' social media and the Internet in general, as there are inevitably many dubious WUMs who are revelling in all of this right now and spreading misinformation and gossip.
Only visit reputable news outlets like the BBC, Sky, etc.
I can't remember exactly it was on Twitter possibly through Reuters/AP
MyNameIsTerry
26-01-22, 17:03
I can't remember exactly it was on Twitter possibly through Reuters/AP
Had It on my news feed. Russia threatens retaliation if NATO recognise Ukraine.
You are going to see a lot of sabre rattling. Have you seen a year of sabre rattling over things between us and the EU? Endless headlines about pulling out of the agreement? It's posturing. Tough talking. How often does anything actually happen?
As for Quora, got to love the "If Mike Tyson punched a silverback gorilla would he hurt it?" :roflmao:
Pamplemousse
26-01-22, 18:04
I thought NATO had pulled back on Ukrainian membership back in 2014.
Matthew1233
26-01-22, 18:04
Had It on my news feed. Russia threatens retaliation if NATO recognise Ukraine.
You are going to see a lot of sabre rattling. Have you seen a year of sabre rattling over things between us and the EU? Endless headlines about pulling out of the agreement? It's posturing. Tough talking. How often does anything actually happen?
As for Quora, got to love the "If Mike Tyson punched a silverback gorilla would he hurt it?" :roflmao:
I suppose 'retaliation' could mean anything but I doubt it means nuking nato
You need to stop reading the news so often if it's causing you so much grief. You need to leave Twitter alone too.
Your brain is being trained it has to keep doing this to keep you safe. But keeping informed on these kind of situations won't in any way change things one way or another. In fact it's doing you active harm to keep focused on it in this way. You need to try pushing through the discomfort without checking, and showing your brain no bad will happen if you do.
Matthew1233
26-01-22, 18:19
I thought NATO had pulled back on Ukrainian membership back in 2014.
Pretty sure they'll not be joining any time soon, due to boarder disputes
Matthew1233
26-01-22, 18:20
You need to stop reading the news so often if it's causing you so much grief. You need to leave Twitter alone too.
Your brain is being trained it has to keep doing this to keep you safe. But keeping informed on these kind of situations won't in any way change things one way or another. In fact it's doing you active harm to keep focused on it in this way. You need to try pushing through the discomfort without checking, and showing your brain no bad will happen if you do.
I know I wish I could I just feel im missing out on the news if I don't check all the time like I need the constant updates and i actively look for bad news
I know I wish I could I just feel im missing out on the news if I don't check all the time like I need the constant updates and i actively look for bad news
But why?
I'm not asking this as a criticism, but for you to think about this.
Do you enjoy reading the news? No.
Can you change anything in the news? No.
If something did happen in the news, would there be any action you had to take? No.
In the event something terrible did happen, do you think you'd not know about it because you'd left Twitter alone for a few hours to do something more fun? No.
I speak with all the respect of someone who's been through all this (and sometimes still do) but you actually do have full control over what you watch and read and your brain is telling you haven't because it's been trained to feel like it needs to do so to keep you safe. But it's just had faulty training from years of anxiety.
If you're not getting professional help for this you need to think about doing so. Because you probably felt exactly like this with Crimea in 2014, North Korea in 2017, Syria in 2019, Covid in 2020...
Pamplemousse
26-01-22, 18:58
Further to Anxle's excellent post, when I used to travel abroad for work and often would be cut off from English language news for two or more months at a time, I know my mood improved greatly.
Reduced to simple terms, hypothetical worry is dominant here, rather than practical worry. Or put another way - "what if?" rather than "what do I do now?".
But why?
I'm not asking this as a criticism, but for you to think about this.
Do you enjoy reading the news? No.
Can you change anything in the news? No.
If something did happen in the news, would there be any action you had to take? No.
In the event something terrible did happen, do you think you'd not know about it because you'd left Twitter alone for a few hours to do something more fun? No.
I speak with all the respect of someone who's been through all this (and sometimes still do) but you actually do have full control over what you watch and read and your brain is telling you haven't because it's been trained to feel like it needs to do so to keep you safe. But it's just had faulty training from years of anxiety.
If you're not getting professional help for this you need to think about doing so. Because you probably felt exactly like this with Crimea in 2014, North Korea in 2017, Syria in 2019, Covid in 2020...
And not forgetting 9/11 in 2001, the Iraq war in 2003 (and also in 1991), 7/7 in 2005, the Global Financial Crisis in 2007-12, the English city riots in August 2011, the onset of ISIS from around 2013 onwards, Ebola in 2014-15, Brexit and the election of Trump in 2016, the terrorist attacks in London and Manchester in 2017, the Salisbury poisoning incident in 2018, and many other unsettling events before, in between, and after.
I actually heard someone in Ukraine saying on the BBC (1) News this evening that he believes that the Western media are being a bit too 'alarmist' and seemingly hyping things up right now.
Matthew1233
26-01-22, 20:42
But why?
I'm not asking this as a criticism, but for you to think about this.
Do you enjoy reading the news? No.
Can you change anything in the news? No.
If something did happen in the news, would there be any action you had to take? No.
In the event something terrible did happen, do you think you'd not know about it because you'd left Twitter alone for a few hours to do something more fun? No.
I speak with all the respect of someone who's been through all this (and sometimes still do) but you actually do have full control over what you watch and read and your brain is telling you haven't because it's been trained to feel like it needs to do so to keep you safe. But it's just had faulty training from years of anxiety.
If you're not getting professional help for this you need to think about doing so. Because you probably felt exactly like this with Crimea in 2014, North Korea in 2017, Syria in 2019, Covid in 2020...
It's just soooo hard when the internet is literally at my fingertips 24/7
Panicattacka
27-01-22, 05:35
US-backed neo-Nazis in Ukraine asking for more support in a US/UK-sponsored NATO aggression against Russia?
Comedy gold. What's the first casualty in war? The MSM hardly mentions the neo-Nazi element and how the USA is cozying up to them. The Nazi flag has been seen around Ukraine and it's not a pretty sight. Ukrainians were also known to be the most brutal guards in the camps in WW2. Their own anti-Jewish pogroms are the stuff of legend.
And the USA has been stirring up trouble in Ukraine since the 1990s after it initially promised NATO would not expand east. And asking the UK to help is like asking a child to chair an AA meeting.
Biden, Blinken, and the Democrats are out of control; just a year after taking office the corrupt warmongers are attempting to start yet another war against a country that won't allow the US to exploit its natural resources for the profit of American corporations.
US-backed neo-Nazis in Ukraine asking for more support in a US/UK-sponsored NATO aggression against Russia?
Comedy gold. What's the first casualty in war? The MSM hardly mentions the neo-Nazi element and how the USA is cozying up to them. The Nazi flag has been seen around Ukraine and it's not a pretty sight. Ukrainians were also known to be the most brutal guards in the camps in WW2. Their own anti-Jewish pogroms are the stuff of legend.
And the USA has been stirring up trouble in Ukraine since the 1990s after it initially promised NATO would not expand east. And asking the UK to help is like asking a child to chair an AA meeting.
Biden, Blinken, and the Democrats are out of control; just a year after taking office the corrupt warmongers are attempting to start yet another war against a country that won't allow the US to exploit its natural resources for the profit of American corporations.
Where the hell did you get all this info from Panicattacka?
Extremist propaganda sites?
The BBC certainly haven't said any such things.
Sounds like you're on a wind-up as per usual.
Matthew1233
27-01-22, 10:24
Where the hell did you get all this info from Panicattacka?
Extremist propaganda sites?
The BBC certainly haven't said any such things.
Sounds like you're on a wind-up as per usual.
Well whatever his view is, I'm just gonna try and use twitter less today and look at the news less
UPDATE: I have uninstalled Twitter on my phone
Why on Esrth did I go onto Al Jazeera and read this:
'Moscow warns of (scary headline)
Well why not try and answer that? Why did you?
And why did you post the headline here?
Matthew1233
27-01-22, 12:15
Well why not try and answer that? Why did you?
And why did you post the headline here?
You're right I shouldn't have posted it, now deleted
You're right I shouldn't have posted it, now deleted
Why not try and give the first question a go? Why did you trawl Al Jazeera? And did you get want you thought you wanted?
It seems clear to me that NATO is trying to start a war by spreading disinformation.
Matthew1233
27-01-22, 12:28
Why not try and give the first question a go? Why did you trawl Al Jazeera? And did you get want you thought you wanted?
Honestly because it has rolling live updates
Doesn't the fact we're all on a forum for generalised anxiety sufferers mean we're probably the least suitable and objective people to be "researching" a topic that terrifies us?
Gents, step away from the news, stop making excuses why you can't, if you're struggling with that get some professional help to do it, and try and live your lives in a way that doesn't involve overanalysing every bit of sabre-rattling you read on the Internet. :shrug:
I wasted 2017 terrified of nuclear conflict with North Korea. Barely lived my life. Look what an utter waste of time that was.
Honestly because it has rolling live updates
They're not beamed directly into your brain though are they? You're making a choice to do this. Why are you doing that? What are you actually getting out of it?
I wasted 2017 terrified of nuclear conflict with North Korea. Barely lived my life. Look what an utter waste of time that was.
That was different, that time we weren't dealing with a ruthless superpower that could literally destroy us all!
Matthew1233
27-01-22, 12:57
They're not beamed directly into your brain though are they? You're making a choice to do this. Why are you doing that? What are you actually getting out of it?
You're right I am gaining nothing from it at all, I guess I am looking for confirmation of fears or reassurance as you said previously
Pamplemousse
27-01-22, 13:32
It's just soooo hard when the internet is literally at my fingertips 24/7
I noted elsewhere that you'd removed Twitter from your phone.
How about going one step further, binning your smartphone and buying a basic phone that just makes calls and sends text messages?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-60067032
When I retire (hopefully soon) I will be abandoning my smartphone and going back to my very basic Nokia. I like how it runs for weeks without a charge.
Matthew1233
27-01-22, 13:39
I noted elsewhere that you'd removed Twitter from your phone.
How about going one step further, binning your smartphone and buying a basic phone that just makes calls and sends text messages?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-60067032
When I retire (hopefully soon) I will be abandoning my smartphone and going back to my very basic Nokia. I like how it runs for weeks without a charge.
I like thr idea but that would be extremely difficult, any idea how to block certain websites as well?
You're right I am gaining nothing from it at all, I guess I am looking for confirmation of fears or reassurance as you said previously
And you have a morbid fascination with the subject even though it terrifies you? Good for you for acknowledging that you get nothing positive at all from doomscrolling though.
Matthew1233
27-01-22, 14:07
And you have a morbid fascination with the subject even though it terrifies you? Good for you for acknowledging that you get nothing positive at all from doomscrolling though.
Ugh i know I really wish j wasn't like this at all
I wish it was that easy. I'm not even looking at anything and yet, it's all I think about. Nothing budges it!
Blocking websites is possible in your browser, it may slow you down and give you pause but it's so circumventable it won't stop you in your weaker moments. You need to work out exactly what benefit your brain is telling you get from this so you can address it. Is it you desire someone to tell you everything will be OK? Is it you feel a moral compulsion to be informed? Is it you feel on some level some kind of magical thinking that you need to keep your eye on things for them to be OK? Your brain is misfiring that this is keeping you safe, that's the problem.
That was different, that time...
Do you know how many times my anxiety's said that? "That other thing was a load of anxious rubbish, I realise that now, but this one, this one's for real".
Panicattacka
27-01-22, 15:10
Well, the good news is there won't be a war until at least mid February at the earliest: China won't want its showpiece event overshadowed, the Beijing Winter Olympics. Given the increasing cooperation between Russia and China it's highly unlikely Putin would want to piss off Xi by ruining the Games. After that though, all bets are off.
Matthew1233
27-01-22, 15:26
Well, the good news is there won't be a war until at least mid February at the earliest: China won't want its showpiece event overshadowed, the Beijing Winter Olympics. Given the increasing cooperation between Russia and China it's highly unlikely Putin would want to piss off Xi by ruining the Games. After that though, all bets are off.
I'm not sure if this is good or bet, especially when you say all bets are off
Well, the good news is there won't be a war until at least mid February at the earliest: China won't want its showpiece event overshadowed, the Beijing Winter Olympics. Given the increasing cooperation between Russia and China it's highly unlikely Putin would want to piss off Xi by ruining the Games. After that though, all bets are off.
Honestly, why on earth do people post things like this on a thread where people are trying to get over their crippling anxiety about these things?
Honestly, why on earth do people post things like this on a thread where people are trying to get over their crippling anxiety about these things?
I agree with you wholeheartedly Anxle.
A couple of people on here (I won't name any names) just seem to be on a blatant wind-up right now who also seem to be coming across as right 'know-it-alls'.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not in any way playing down this situation, and I'm just as fearful myself as everyone else, but Panicattacka still hasn't even bothered to reply to my question asking where he/she got the info from that they posted earlier this morning, and he/she said that the MSM haven't covered it.
Sounds like dubious misinformation on social media to me.
Matthew1233
27-01-22, 15:50
I agree with you wholeheartedly Anxle.
A couple of people on here (I won't name any names) just seem to be on a blatant wind-up right now who also seem to be coming across as right 'know-it-alls'.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not in any way playing down this situation, and I'm just as fearful myself as everyone else, but Panicattacka still hasn't even bothered to reply to my question asking where he/she got the info from that they posted earlier this morning, and he/she said that the MSM haven't covered it.
Sounds like dubious misinformation on social media to me.
I did see something about an Olympic Truce where peace is meant to happen a few days before the Olympics and after it, but I take it thats only a theory
Oh no... oh no... you realise how this and Covid have similar timelines? We'll have a nuclear war before the end of March!
Oh no... oh no... you realise how this and Covid have similar timelines? We'll have (over the top rubbish I'm not quoting)
Oh give it a rest will you. A Ukrainian border row and a viral pandemic are nothing to do with one another and you know that. If you're willing to wind yourself up like that it's up to you, but think about how it affects other people on a forum for people with anxiety disorders trying to stop their unhealthy way of thinking.
To be honest if you're all coming on a forum to discuss the results of your doomscrolling and what you've learnt and what it means and the extact date of doomsday this isn't an Anxiety forum for you, it's yet another corner of the Internet to continue your bad habits that are making you sick :shrug:
To be honest if you're all coming on a forum to discuss the results of your doomscrolling and what you've learnt and what it means and the extact date of doomsday this isn't an Anxiety forum for you, it's yet another corner of the Internet to continue your bad habits that are making you sick :shrug:
Exactly.
To be honest if you're all coming on a forum to discuss the results of your doomscrolling and what you've learnt and what it means and the extact date of doomsday this isn't an Anxiety forum for you, it's yet another corner of the Internet to continue your bad habits that are making you sick :shrug:
Well said.
Honestly, why on earth do people post things like this on a thread where people are trying to get over their crippling anxiety about these things?
Most of us take Panicattacka's "assessments" with a generous pinch of salt.
Pamplemousse
27-01-22, 19:23
Most of us take Panicattacka's "assessments" with a generous pinch of salt.
I'd need all the salt under Cheshire...
Well, the good news is there won't be a war until at least mid February at the earliest: China won't want its showpiece event overshadowed, the Beijing Winter Olympics. Given the increasing cooperation between Russia and China it's highly unlikely Putin would want to piss off Xi by ruining the Games. After that though, all bets are off.While I personally am not overly concerned about events surrounding Russia and Ukraine, I find this kind of post to be quite disgraceful on a thread where users are terrified of any potential war kicking off. It feels to me like a deliberate attempt to trigger.
Well, the good news is there won't be a war until at least mid February at the earliest: China won't want its showpiece event overshadowed, the Beijing Winter Olympics. Given the increasing cooperation between Russia and China it's highly unlikely Putin would want to piss off Xi by ruining the Games. After that though, all bets are off.
SSShhhh..you know Mr Putin doesn't take kindly to people leaking his dastardly plans on websites. We'll all pretend we didn't read your post.
While I personally am not overly concerned about events surrounding Russia and Ukraine, I find this kind of post to be quite disgraceful on a thread where users are terrified of any potential war kicking off. It feels to me like a deliberate attempt to trigger.
Yeah, very distasteful indeed!
Matthew1233
28-01-22, 08:06
I was going to report Panicattacka's comment but then didn't- should have I?
I wouldn't worry about this, Matthew. We all know that Panicattacka likes to come out with stuff like this and admin will step in if he/she gets too irritating.
I wouldn't worry about this, Matthew. We all know that Panicattacka likes to come out with stuff like this and admin will step in if he/she gets too irritating.
Yeah, and he/she still hasn't stated the source of their dubious info about this thing being allegedly infiltrated by (dare I say it) Neo-Nazis yesterday, which I found to be in extremely poor taste.
Panicattacka also mentioned that the MSM weren't reporting on it, so if that's the case, it definitely sounds iffy.
I don’t agree with the post but he/she is right
and I have a fear of war.
Yeah, and he/she still hasn't stated the source of their dubious info about this thing being allegedly infiltrated by (dare I say it) Neo-Nazis yesterday, which I found to be in extremely poor taste.
Panicattacka also mentioned that the MSM weren't reporting on it, so if that's the case, it definitely sounds iffy.
True, but it doesn't matter if the source is a respectable newspaper or some weirdo on YouTube, posting triggering details from the day's doomscroll isn't appropriate for a mental health forum.
Matthew1233
28-01-22, 09:12
True, but it doesn't matter if the source is a respectable newspaper or some weirdo on YouTube, posting triggering details from the day's doomscroll isn't appropriate for a mental health forum.
Are the Guardian and Daily Mail good sources also- I'm not sure if they fearmonger or have proper articles written by specialist journalists.
Matthew1233
28-01-22, 09:13
I don’t agree with the post but he/she is right
and I have a fear of war.
Right about what?
Are the Guardian and Daily Mail good sources also- I'm not sure if they fearmonger or have proper articles written by specialist journalists.
IMHO, The Guardian is generally OK, and so is the Independent, but I would personally beware of the Daily Mail, and The Sun.
As for the Daily Express, it is definitely one I would avoid like the plague when it comes to war subjects.
Matthew1233
28-01-22, 10:20
IMHO, The Guardian is generally OK, and so is the Independent, but I would personally beware of the Daily Mail, and The Sun.
As for the Daily Express, it is definitely one I would avoid like the plague when it comes to war subjects.
Yes the Daily Express is horrible but I think the Star is even worse
All news sources, even ones I agree with politically and respect the journalism of, have their own slants and their own agendas to get people to click their content. The Guardian's journalism I find usually pretty good, for example, but they're fans of shouty scary headlines sometimes. It's modern media - money's made by how many people you can get to click something.
But there is still a strand here of asking if you should believe things, and asking if you should be worried, in your line of questioning here. The issue is you're worrying about hypotheticals. The point is to stop constantly assessing how likely a situation is, as it's still pointless worry about a situation that isn't happening, and may never happen. They're all "what if's?", whether they have no chance, a slim chance, or a realistic chance.
The thing that's very difficult to appreciate is that worry that (say) a parcel you've sent will get lost in the post, or a world disagreement will spiral into WWIII, are the same line of faulty thinking, no matter that one has a pretty minor outcome and one has a very terrible one. They're both "what ifs". Worry is a behaviour. Worry is something you do. It serves no purposes. And it's something you can, with help and effort, choose not to do.
Matthew1233
28-01-22, 11:12
All news sources, even ones I agree with politically and respect the journalism of, have their own slants and their own agendas to get people to click their content. The Guardian's journalism I find usually pretty good, for example, but they're fans of shouty scary headlines sometimes. It's modern media - money's made by how many people you can get to click something.
But there is still a strand here of asking if you should believe things, and asking if you should be worried, in your line of questioning here. The issue is you're worrying about hypotheticals. The point is to stop constantly assessing how likely a situation is, as it's still pointless worry about a situation that isn't happening, and may never happen. They're all "what if's?", whether they have no chance, a slim chance, or a realistic chance.
The thing that's very difficult to appreciate is that worry that (say) a parcel you've sent will get lost in the post, or a world disagreement will spiral into WWIII, are the same line of faulty thinking, no matter that one has a pretty minor outcome and one has a very terrible one. They're both "what ifs". Worry is a behaviour. Worry is something you do. It serves no purposes. And it's something you can, with help and effort, choose not to do.
I would like to talk to someone about my anxiety (have hypochondria too) but don't know where to begin
Pamplemousse
28-01-22, 11:46
I would like to talk to someone about my anxiety (have hypochondria too) but don't know where to begin
Quite often your local GP practice will have a website and within that, a link where you can self-refer to mental health services. Mine certainly does.
You'll most likely end up being referred for CBT as it's cheap, and expect a wait between your initial consultation and your counselling sessions. Are you on any tablets for your anxiety?
Pamplemousse
28-01-22, 11:49
All news sources, even ones I agree with politically and respect the journalism of, have their own slants and their own agendas to get people to click their content. The Guardian's journalism I find usually pretty good, for example, but they're fans of shouty scary headlines sometimes. It's modern media - money's made by how many people you can get to click something.
But there is still a strand here of asking if you should believe things, and asking if you should be worried, in your line of questioning here. The issue is you're worrying about hypotheticals. The point is to stop constantly assessing how likely a situation is, as it's still pointless worry about a situation that isn't happening, and may never happen. They're all "what if's?", whether they have no chance, a slim chance, or a realistic chance.
The thing that's very difficult to appreciate is that worry that (say) a parcel you've sent will get lost in the post, or a world disagreement will spiral into WWIII, are the same line of faulty thinking, no matter that one has a pretty minor outcome and one has a very terrible one. They're both "what ifs". Worry is a behaviour. Worry is something you do. It serves no purposes. And it's something you can, with help and effort, choose not to do.
Nail on head there - hypothetical over practical worry.
A good place for news is the bureaus themselves, like Reuters , PA or AFP.
I would like to talk to someone about my anxiety (have hypochondria too) but don't know where to begin
If you're in England this is a good start - https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/iapt/
MyNameIsTerry
28-01-22, 12:15
Oh no... oh no... you realise how this and Covid have similar timelines? We'll have a nuclear war before the end of March!
Spot of magical thinking there, Frank. You link so many things up if you try hard enough. Before you know it your buying tin foil for a hat rather than wrapping your food in.
MyNameIsTerry
28-01-22, 12:20
That was different, that time we weren't dealing with a ruthless superpower that could literally destroy us all!
No, but we were told by the media that NK, with their links to China, could trigger war and Trump was nuts enough to blow the earth up.
So, how is it different? You were panicking over all that too. This is why you need to put in the work Anxie has because it's so clear she has passed through it and learnt how it works. It's great to see people like that. She's talking to you guys as a therapist would and I agree with so much she has said. Read about anxiety, not your current theme of anxiety.
Matthew1233
28-01-22, 12:24
Nail on head there - hypothetical over practical worry.
A good place for news is the bureaus themselves, like Reuters , PA or AFP.
On fluoxetine for about 5 years now never had cbt
MyNameIsTerry
28-01-22, 12:31
IMHO, The Guardian is generally OK, and so is the Independent, but I would personally beware of the Daily Mail, and The Sun.
As for the Daily Express, it is definitely one I would avoid like the plague when it comes to war subjects.
He needs to deal with the real underlying issue. Once he does it won't matter what he reads because he will be more rational in approaching the scaremongering and bias. The latter they all suffer from. Now I can read or watch any media and not be bothered in the slightest when earlier in my anxiety social unrest was triggering. He's got to reprogram his subconscious first and it won't trip the cycle off.
Whilst The Guardian will be a less worrying read, until he reaches a better place with hard work, there is always the BBC too. But if the anxiety shifts towards other issues of international friction e.g. trade, beware the bias of them all.
The Express, Mail, etc are very sensationalist though and right now that's all he needs. I'm sure they don't even believe what they write, it's just a format to make money. The Guardian and Indy are less sensational and have lost a lot of readers.
MyNameIsTerry
28-01-22, 12:32
On fluoxetine for about 5 years now never had cbt
Theres a link to an online course on the forum which might help you start. It will explain your faulty thinking habits.
Pamplemousse
28-01-22, 14:17
On fluoxetine for about 5 years now never had cbt
All I can suggest is to repost Anxle's link - https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/iapt/ - but also, if offered CBT ask to speak to a person, do not accept online therapy. There's even a "Dummies" book on the subject but I think you need to speak to a real person.
Oh give it a rest will you. A Ukrainian border row and a viral pandemic are nothing to do with one another and you know that. If you're willing to wind yourself up like that it's up to you, but think about how it affects other people on a forum for people with anxiety disorders trying to stop their unhealthy way of thinking.
I'm sorry, that was foolish of me.
He needs to deal with the real underlying issue. Once he does it won't matter what he reads because he will be more rational in approaching the scaremongering and bias. The latter they all suffer from. Now I can read or watch any media and not be bothered in the slightest when earlier in my anxiety social unrest was triggering. He's got to reprogram his subconscious first and it won't trip the cycle off.
Whilst The Guardian will be a less worrying read, until he reaches a better place with hard work, there is always the BBC too. But if the anxiety shifts towards other issues of international friction e.g. trade, beware the bias of them all.
The Express, Mail, etc are very sensationalist though and right now that's all he needs. I'm sure they don't even believe what they write, it's just a format to make money. The Guardian and Indy are less sensational and have lost a lot of readers.
You're not wrong Terry.
BTW, the BBC is my main 'go-to' site for most news and info I'm interested in.
Publications like The Sun, Daily Mail, Daily Express, etc seriously do have a lot to answer for in situations like this.
Why are they saying it could be world war 3 if that’s the case why wasn’t Iraq world war 3? Just wondering what makes them use the tag world war. My fear would be calling people up to fight like world war 2?
spectrum123
11-02-22, 19:34
Why are they saying it could be world war 3 if that’s the case why wasn’t Iraq world war 3? Just wondering what makes them use the tag world war. My fear would be calling people up to fight like world war 2?
You, yourself, would be barred from call up, if that makes you feel any better?
WW3 if the media dramatizing the current situation, we are currently at the willy waving phase. The US and Russia have been in this situation before, like Vietnam and Afghanistan, one side usually fights a proxy war against the other by arming the opposing side.
Terms like World War Three IMO are often vague, a form of hyperbole and are often bandied around as a form of lazy and shoddy journalism.
Certain media outlets and individuals on social media have have been referencing WW3 on and off over the best part of the past decade in response to various events in places such as Syria, Iran, North Korea, ISIS, the presidency of Trump, the Salisbury poisoning incident, you name it, and has been a recurring source of panic and angst for many on here.
Don't get me wrong, the thought of an all-out global conflict fills me with intense dread, as it obviously does most people, but I just wish certain people/ publications would just tone things down a bit for once and for all, unless there is absolute concrete proof of such a conflict being imminent.
I was watching videos on YouTube tonight from a guy called Robert Walker who runs the Debunking Doomsday Quora site (already mentioned upthread by another poster), and he seems to have a good insight into the current Ukraine/Russia situation, even though I'm not as yet quite sure as to whether or not he is a proven reliable source of info, but it does say that he's from York University.
Does anyone get the impression that we're trying to provoke Mr Putin et al, or is that just me? Imagine for argument's sake, Russia setting up their own club with China. Then let's imagine Canada vote in a hard line left wing government (very unlikely I know) and invite the Russian military to patrol the Canada/US border. I'm sure all of us in NATO would be somewhat irritated.
spectrum123
11-02-22, 22:25
Does anyone get the impression that we're trying to provoke Mr Putin et al, or is that just me? Imagine for argument's sake, Russia setting up their own club with China. Then let's imagine Canada vote in a hard line left wing government (very unlikely I know) and invite the Russian military to patrol the Canada/US border. I'm sure all of us in NATO would be somewhat irritated.
China are already provoking the US in the Pacific, we are doing tit for tat over there at the moment. China is building up its fire power and bases in the area. A lot of US sea and air assets are committed to the Pacific, Putin knows this and is hoping to stretch the US commitment with Ukraine to see how much power projection the US will deploy.
The Chinese Pacific threat has caused the Japanese for the first time since WW2 to drop the pretence of only having a 'defence' force with a big ramp up of military power. Quite a lot of western friendly governments in the area are also increasing their military hardware footprint.
Ukraine is a bit of a sideshow to what's going on in the Pacific which is a slow burner, but of much greater significance globally.
I can't find any info online that tells us whether or not the Ukraine-Russia situation poses any specific threat to the UK.
My dad doesn't currently believe that this country is under any threat of possible attacks, even though he's no expert on warfare and the like.
He also said that no one would really gain anything from attacking the UK right now, as the main target in this particular instance is Ukraine and not the UK.
I also have a sneaky suspicion that persons of Russian origin will soon replace Muslims as the next 'folk devils' and inadvertently become the subject of the next 'moral panic', and indeed hate crimes!
MyNameIsTerry
12-02-22, 16:24
I can't find any info online that tells us whether or not the Ukraine-Russia situation poses any specific threat to the UK.
My dad doesn't currently believe that this country is under any threat of possible attacks, even though he's no expert on warfare and the like.
He also said that no one would really gain anything from attacking the UK right now, as the main target in this particular instance is Ukraine and not the UK.
I also have a sneaky suspicion that persons of Russian origin will soon replace Muslims as the next 'folk devils' and inadvertently become the subject of the next 'moral panic', and indeed hate crimes!
I don't think that will happen. The issue with Muslim culture is more connected to immigration and perceived dangers to existing cultures. It's not new and before them it was black people and Asian communities.
Look at tensions towards Chinese communities. They aren't seeing increased racism due to China pushing the boundaries on the other side of the world. Were they seeing it because of Huawei? They were certainly getting it over our jobs going there going back decades and more recently over Covid when Chinese businesses started folding over our hysteria about catching Covid in their food.
When it's affecting our shores it will stir people up.
Ukraine is strategic. Russia want it to push further into the West. The EU want them in the club and Germany want the bear keeping away.
Ukraine itself has it's work cut out considering the population who want to be part of Russia. Democracy there is a mess and the Ukraine leadership aren't against strict measures against their own.
I don't think that will happen. The issue with Muslim culture is more connected to immigration and perceived dangers to existing cultures. It's not new and before them it was black people and Asian communities.
Look at tensions towards Chinese communities. They aren't seeing increased racism due to China pushing the boundaries on the other side of the world. Were they seeing it because of Huawei? They were certainly getting it over our jobs going there going back decades and more recently over Covid when Chinese businesses started folding over our hysteria about catching Covid in their food.
When it's affecting our shores it will stir people up.
Ukraine is strategic. Russia want it to push further into the West. The EU want them in the club and Germany want the bear keeping away.
Ukraine itself has it's work cut out considering the population who want to be part of Russia. Democracy there is a mess and the Ukraine leadership aren't against strict measures against their own.
It's more the hyperbole and general media hype that I find jarring, as if we're on the brink of some Armageddon-type moment, when in reality it's probably nothing more than a bit of sabre-rattling, and probably also partly because of Russia's past associations.
It just seems that over the past few years in particular in the news headlines it's been just one big hyped-up issue after another!
LittleLionMan
12-02-22, 17:44
It's more the hyperbole and general media hype that I find jarring, as if we're on the brink of some Armageddon-type moment
Did you hear Putin’s speech?
I've just read an interesting article on The Spectator site (dated 7th Feb, I think) whose writer believes that both US and UK politicians, in tandem with the media in general, are unduly hyping up the situation right now.
Also the Ukrainian leader himself currently believes the same, that Western politicians and media are fanning the flames and spreading unnecessary hysteria and panic, possibly even in part to deflect from more serious domestic issues, especially the ongoing political scandals here in the UK.
I don't think that will happen. The issue with Muslim culture is more connected to immigration and perceived dangers to existing cultures. It's not new and before them it was black people and Asian communities.
Look at tensions towards Chinese communities. They aren't seeing increased racism due to China pushing the boundaries on the other side of the world. Were they seeing it because of Huawei? They were certainly getting it over our jobs going there going back decades and more recently over Covid when Chinese businesses started folding over our hysteria about catching Covid in their food.
When it's affecting our shores it will stir people up.
Ukraine is strategic. Russia want it to push further into the West. The EU want them in the club and Germany want the bear keeping away.
Ukraine itself has it's work cut out considering the population who want to be part of Russia. Democracy there is a mess and the Ukraine leadership aren't against strict measures against their own.
Also the big question from me is (gas-related issues aside), do Russia seriously pose any immediate and direct threat to us in the UK right now?
Despite no actual claims as such so far, it's as if some UK politicians and media outlets are acting as if they do right now, despite there being no credible evidence so far.
I mean, for instance, look at the likes of Liz Truss and Ben Wallace right now.
It feels a bit like the eve of Iraq all over again, but strangely, unlike in early 2003, there's been no reports so far of any mammoth anti-war protests in central London nor any other major UK city.
Isn't Boris on a Great Levelling Up Tour of the UK next week instead of negotiating round the clock with Putin and cronies?
Isn't Boris on a Great Levelling Up Tour of the UK next week instead of negotiating round the clock with Putin and cronies?
That's precisely what I can't understand right now.
My dad reckons there's been an anti-Russian agenda amongst certain Western politicians and media for some years now, and this current affair is probably just the latest in a long line of flashpoints, and therefore the latest opportunity to have a go at Putin and Co, in which my dad also reckons they've been itching to do for ages now.
Bit like the Iraq WMD debacle all over again, despite no empirical evidence in either case.
spectrum123
13-02-22, 16:27
That's precisely what I can't understand right now.
My dad reckons there's been an anti-Russian agenda amongst certain Western politicians and media for some years now, and this current affair is probably just the latest in a long line of flashpoints, and therefore the latest opportunity to have a go at Putin and Co, in which my dad also reckons they've been itching to do for ages now.
Bit like the Iraq WMD debacle all over again, despite no empirical evidence in either case.
Plenty of evidence of what Russia has been up to cyber wise. One has been the promotion of the anti-vaxx propaganda and those in the West speaking about it.
Plenty of evidence of what Russia has been up to cyber wise. One has been the promotion of the anti-vaxx propaganda and those in the West speaking about it.
But is it good enough justification for Western troops to burst in all guns blazing?
Also how is the cyber stuff and the antivaxx propaganda related to the feared invasion of Ukraine?
It's scary I know, I am worried but try reading this: https://debunkingdoomsday.quora.com/No-way-Russia-wants-to-attack-NATO-never-any-risk-of-World-War-3-and-Russia-said-many-times-they-won-t-attack-the-Uk
Just had another look at this site.
Still invaluable for those currently scared witless.
spectrum123
13-02-22, 19:18
But is it good enough justification for Western troops to burst in all guns blazing?
Also how is the cyber stuff and the antivaxx propaganda related to the feared invasion of Ukraine?
We are currently in a cyber conflict with Russia, and have been for a number of years, this has been a major irritation for a while. Russia is just stirring the pot a bit faster with Ukraine. I would very much doubt any Nato boot will ever be put on the ground in the Ukraine. It does Russia no favours either.
I have just been reading a thread on another forum site about this Russia-Ukraine crisis, and the vast majority of its posters seem to believe that the media (and certain politicians) are unduly whipping us all up into a frenzy in this country right now, sometimes if only to detract from certain ongoing issues within our own shores that still remain unresolved.
Someone also mentioned in that same thread last night about the conflict in Bosnia back in the 90s, a nation which is actually in closer proximity to the UK than both Russia and Ukraine, which was a regular staple of UK national news bulletins from around 1992-95, but that never lead to a full-on global conflict, and apart from the odd (unrelated) IRA attacks, life in this country still went on as per normal.
It was also touched on that we still didn't have 24/7 rolling news channels back then with the TV news only being on at set times throughout the day on BBC 1, 2, ITV (1) and Channel 4, plus the Internet at that time was still only a microcosm of what it's become since the late 90s, and of course social media was some 12-15 years in the future at the time.
To help put many fellow NMP'ers minds at rest, there's now reports that some Russian troops are allegedly beginning to pull away from Ukrainian borders and return to base.
I know it's still early days and we're still not out of the woods yet, but I can finally sense a glimmer of hope following endless hysterical commentary from the media over the past several days.
Hysterical is about right Lenco. Yesterday's DM had its front page claiming we were 48 hours from being plunged into war. One that would 'engulf' Europe and beyond or something similar. Plus lots of diagrams of Russia's military hardware etc. These people really do need reining in.
Hysterical is about right Lenco. Yesterday's DM had its front page claiming we were 48 hours from being plunged into war. One that would 'engulf' Europe and beyond or something similar. Plus lots of diagrams of Russia's military hardware etc. These people really do need reining in.
Too right Fishman, odious rags like the DM, DE, etc, seriously do need reining in right now.
By the time all this hopefully blows over, the media will be no doubt be back to whipping up hysteria and scaring us witless over the same old same old stuff like ISIS/AQ, Syria, Iraq, Iran, North Korea, China, the next Covid variant (heaven forbid), recessions, violent crime, feral youngsters, gang culture, benefit scroungers, immigrants, nonce cases, you name it!
MyNameIsTerry
16-02-22, 07:02
And the world goes on as normal...
We stopped picking fights with big nations years ago. Huge death tolls, conscription, rationing, etc aren't very popular. Two big tribes go to war and it's a wipe out. Then in steps the newly elevated big tribe (China?) Who you can't stop from sweeping up all your resources. It's a lose lose unless you are the new big tribe. Do we think Putin is that stupid? Nope.
Sabres rattled, big hoohah, money changing hands behind the scenes, concessions...and the beat goes on.
It takes someone like Hitler to provoke big nations into conflict. I'm sure Putin has studied his history. Tomorrow we go back to messing around with the politics of smaller players who have something we want. We will, of course, complain when Russia does that.
I'm not pro Russia, some political leanings will be flying the "boo the West" and "poor Putin" cards, but it's hypocritical to meddle then moan when the enemy does it. The US did their fiddling around in Ukraine and Biden is saying we will defend NATO soil (better get out of Ukraine then buddy). Now Russia. Who asked the Ukrainians who they want "owning" them? NATO put them in MAP, half in half out, to cut them off from Russia (wasn't Ukrainian public support low back then) without admitting them. Public support, via polling, seems to have increased towards NATO...in a country with democratic problems, hmm...
Wasn't our Defence Secretary on holiday at the end of last week? Hardly what you'd do if WW3 were imminent but then look at Dominic Raab on his sunlounger when the Afghan crisis erupted.
Boris must welcome the temporary shift away from Partygate and Covid as he tries to portray himself as A Strong And Unbreakable Leader..
Wasn't our Defence Secretary on holiday at the end of last week? Hardly what you'd do if WW3 were imminent but then look at Dominic Raab on his sunlounger when the Afghan crisis erupted.
Boris must welcome the temporary shift away from Partygate and Covid as he tries to portray himself as A Strong And Unbreakable Leader..
That's exactly my point, as if Boris is using this current situation in Ukraine to detract from many of his own failings at home, and inadvertently playing the 'Mr. Big' on the international stage. Ditto for Biden to a certain extent, though I seriously dread to imagine how this current situation might have played out had Trump still remained in power.
Also, back in late December-early January he seemed mostly indifferent to the Ukraine situation and putting the fear of God into us over Covid and the Omicron variant. Now a lot of the hysteria over that seems to be dying down, he and his cronies seem to be whipping up Russophobia. I can also sense a bit of a moral panic brewing up over all this, especially as Wallace refuses to believe that the Russian troops are shifting back to base and instead believes that they're mounting even more on the Ukrainian borders.
I seriously wonder where the UK govt are getting all their evidence from right now?
After all, Putin (bogeyman or not) keeps reiterating that neither he nor Russia wants a war in Europe, let alone a full-on third world war.
Obviously we all need to wait and see a bit longer before jumping to conclusions as to whether it's the beginning of full-on Armageddon or whether it's the beginning of the end of this mass panic.
On the other hand, I can't understand this stuff about named dates such as today as being the start of the big invasion, as so far (as far as I'm aware) nothing mega serious has been reported.
I still don’t get how it’s world war 3. Afghanistan wasn’t. Surely a world war needs to see all countries involved?
spectrum123
19-02-22, 09:05
I still don’t get how it’s world war 3. Afghanistan wasn’t. Surely a world war needs to see all countries involved?
Only the press has dubbed it that. Purley on the fact that should the US/NATO get involved, then both sides would have nuclear capability. You don't need all countries to be involved to create a world war 3.
Only the press has dubbed it that. Purley on the fact that should the US/NATO get involved, then both sides would have nuclear capability. You don't need all countries to be involved to create a world war 3.
Again, sounds like hyperbole, and indeed, the usual media hype.
I also did a bit of research yesterday on Wikipedia regarding the Bosnia and Kosovo conflicts back in the 90s (where were involved in the latter), and neither led to a World War Three, neither did the first and second Iraq wars in 1991 and 2003 respectively, nor Afghanistan or Syria, for that matter (so far).
But then again, who am I to know on the current Ukraine situation, and obviously what will be will be.
spectrum123
19-02-22, 10:16
The Ukraine situation has the ability to evolve into a vastly different scenario, although this is unlikely at the moment, and much will be to avoid it developing. The best way would be to avoid a Russian incursion at the start.
The Ukraine situation has the ability to evolve into a vastly different scenario, although this is unlikely at the moment, and much will be to avoid it developing. The best way would be to avoid a Russian incursion at the start.
AFAIK, still nothing has been said as yet about whatever threats (if any at all) this current situation might (or might not) pose to the UK specifically, though perhaps in that sense it could be a case of 'no news is good news', coupled with the fact that the UK's terror threat level was lowered a notch the other week, which probably wouldn't have happened if the situation in Ukraine really did pose a specific threat to the UK.
A lot of the talk so far has been very vague in the sense that they talk about potential 'conflict in Europe', but despite the UK having recently upped sticks from the EU, doesn't it still technically and geographically remain part of Europe?
Plus 'mainland' Europe (not counting the UK and Ireland) is a vast continent, so like I said, the expression 'conflict in Europe' alone is rather vague and smacks of hyperbole IMO, as said continent consists of different, and quite distinctive, 'regions' throughout.
Whilst I don't in any way intend to sound paranoid, how does this current situation compare to that of WW2 when Germany did end up attacking the UK?
Just intrigued, especially in the face of all the aforementioned WW3 speculation doing the rounds online, especially on social media.
spectrum123
19-02-22, 14:24
Providing there is no involvement militarily by NATO/US, whether by boots on the ground or denial of airspace in Ukraine, then everything is fine even with a Russian incursion.
If there is any exchange of fire or between the Russians and NATO over or inside Ukraine, the whole game has changed, and yes the UK would then have a creditable threat.
UK terror threat levels are just that 'terror', Russia is not a terrorist organization.
Providing there is no involvement militarily by NATO/US, whether by boots on the ground or denial of airspace in Ukraine, then everything is fine even with a Russian incursion.
If there is any exchange of fire or between the Russians and NATO over or inside Ukraine, the whole game has changed, and yes the UK would then have a creditable threat.
UK terror threat levels are just that 'terror', Russia is not a terrorist organization.
My dad reckons a lot of it is the Russian forces simply 'willy-waving', basically showing off what ammo they've got and possibly trying to look 'ard.
He still doesn't believe any WW2-style attacks on mainland Britain are likely (at least not as things currently stand).
So far, regarding the UK's stance on this situation, Boris has so far stated that any sanctions by the UK shall be economic, such as denying Russian business opportunities in this country (I think, but not quite certain), and also cracking down on Russian money-laundering gangs currently known to be operating in London.
All as if the last 2 years haven't already been tumultuous enough worldwide owing to the Covid pandemic alone, and now all this as well!
This whole "Russia-Ukraine" is starting to set off my anxiety alarms. I don't want a war, not now, not ever. :(
This whole "Russia-Ukraine" is starting to set off my anxiety alarms. I don't want a war, not now, not ever. :(
All as if Covid suddenly no longer matters!
Ditto for all the cost of living crisis stuff over recent weeks.
I suggest we keep referring back to this:
debunkingdoomsday.quora.com
All as if Covid suddenly no longer matters!
Ditto for all the cost of living crisis stuff over recent weeks.
I was never worried about catching COVID to begin with. If anything, being stuck in the house led to me being anxious about other things but not COVID itself (though thankfully my recovery process has finally started ever since I started volunteer work this week!)
I suggest we keep referring back to this:
debunkingdoomsday.quora.com
Thanks Lencoboy. Its just the more people talk about it, the more it becomes part of my anxious list.
I was never worried about catching COVID to begin with. If anything, being stuck in the house led to me being anxious about other things but not COVID itself (though thankfully my recovery process has finally started ever since I started volunteer work this week!)
Thanks Lencoboy. Its just the more people talk about it, the more it becomes part of my anxious list.
You're very welcome my friend.
It states that the shellings of places like the kindergarten, etc were actually perpetrated by Russian 'separatists' and NOT the Russian forces, and that there's a lot of false info and conspiracy theories circulating online right now.
spectrum123
19-02-22, 16:16
My dad reckons a lot of it is the Russian forces simply 'willy-waving', basically showing off what ammo they've got and possibly trying to look 'ard.
He still doesn't believe any WW2-style attacks on mainland Britain are likely (at least not as things currently stand).
So far, regarding the UK's stance on this situation, Boris has so far stated that any sanctions by the UK shall be economic, such as denying Russian business opportunities in this country (I think, but not quite certain), and also cracking down on Russian money-laundering gangs currently known to be operating in London.
All as if the last 2 years haven't already been tumultuous enough worldwide owing to the Covid pandemic alone, and now all this as well!
It's already mentioned we are in the willy waving phase. Russian is gauging how much commitment the west has to Ukraine.
Russia believes the Ukraine should align more with them.
I don't know what you mean by 'WW2 style of attack' on the UK? If the West was to react militarily it would be US lead, their long range capability is currently based in the UK. Russia would view the UK as an aggressor.
So Russia is a concern what about Canada freezing peoples banks ect be worrying in Canada too? Amazing how much power some leaders have.
spectrum123
19-02-22, 19:39
So Russia is a concern what about Canada freezing peoples banks ect be worrying in Canada too? Amazing how much power some leaders have.
I don't live in Canada, and I can't do anything about powers granted to the Canadian government back 1988. Just like I can't do anything about the lack of free healthcare in the US, or any freedom of dissent in China.
Likewise what the Russians do I will have no say in, and I will very little influence in how the UK and the West respond.
If you spend all your life worrying about things you have no way of changing then you will be stuck in a never ending spiral.
Concentrate on what you can change.
Things you can change like your daily routine and a different focus away from constant news feed which only serves to trigger anxiety as no one can control world events to suit their needs (apart from Boris:))
Sunshine93
20-02-22, 09:18
I suggest we keep referring back to this:
debunkingdoomsday.quora.com
Thank you for the link. Helps me with my anxiety :).
So Russia is a concern what about Canada freezing peoples banks ect be worrying in Canada too? Amazing how much power some leaders have.
Why is that situation in Canada about bank freezing suddenly such a big deal?
And what relevance does it have to the Ukraine-Russia thing right now, or the UK for that matter?
I feel very anxious about the Ukraine situation after today’s news. I know it doesn’t make any sense to worry, but I don’t know how to stop.
Can anyone help?
Sunshine93
22-02-22, 09:59
I feel very anxious about the Ukraine situation after today’s news. I know it doesn’t make any sense to worry, but I don’t know how to stop.
Can anyone help?
Me too. However, I try to watch less news and it helps me.
[QUOTE=Sunshine93;2036920]Me too. However, I try to watch less news and it helps me.[/QUOTE
I do avoid the news on TV and radio but it’s the doom scrolling on various social media sites I don’t seem to be able to control .
[QUOTE=Sunshine93;2036920]Me too. However, I try to watch less news and it helps me.[/QUOTE
I do avoid the news on TV and radio but it’s the doom scrolling on various social media sites I don’t seem to be able to control .
I understand what you're saying.
I'm trying not to get too emotionally embroiled in it all ATM, especially as so far there's been no talk of any immediate and direct threats to the UK. If I was living in either Ukraine or Russia respectively (or any of the immediate adjoining nations) I would probably be quaking in my boots right now!
I returned to my day centre today via train (following my absence last week due to Covid) and couldn't sense anything out of the ordinary in terms of the general public vibe, as if most people were just going about their usual daily business without a care in the world.
In fact, it seemed more like Feb 2020 (and before) once again.
MyNameIsTerry
23-02-22, 06:26
All happening in a land far far away...
The only place people are worried about this are places like this forum. Just as the HA board is awash with whatever the media are highlighting. The general public will worry when it hits them. They won't go through life worrying about this month's issue. If they do, they join us lot on here
They will be more concerned about the potential for escalating gas wholesale prices due to sanctions against Russia. That can reach us here. But they won't be concerned about far away Ukrainians unless they have ties to the country (e.g . loved ones), are human rights campaigners or may see loved ones in the armed forces go there.
Russia aren't after the UK. Parts of Ukraine consider themselves Russian and held in a country by a majority with a government less democratic than we are used to who won't let them decide. Therefore they are making their move now a big supporter has come forward who can't be bullied. Otherwise the Ukranian government would stamp out dissent, probably in much the same way Spain strapped Franco's jackboots back on to deal with Catalonia.
The bigger picture is politics, resources and strategic locations. Do you think the US give a crap about democracy in Ukraine? They don't want Russia advancing and taking more strategic locations. Russia don't want the US having it all their own way. And the dance goes on. The Ukraine couldn't get into NATO yet so along comes an associate membership lowering the bar. The US pat themselves on the back and Russia get annoyed.
If it stays as is and Putin goes back it still won't resolve the internal problems in Ukraine. Some people want out. Perhaps a vote might be a way? Perhaps John Major could whine on about his "tyranny of the majority" although I suspect he would be quiet and back NATO :whistles:
I’m very grateful to those who post on here with sensible, balanced, comment intended to help others get some perspective. No one can predict what will happen but this helps when many others ( usually on Twitter/Facebook etc) are posting inflammatory, alarmist comments. Some of this is done in the name of political satire but it’s not helpful to those of us who are sensitive and worry a lot. I wonder what people get out of it. ��
Sunshine93
23-02-22, 08:41
All happening in a land far far away...
The only place people are worried about this are places like this forum. Just as the HA board is awash with whatever the media are highlighting. The general public will worry when it hits them. They won't go through life worrying about this month's issue. If they do, they join us lot on here
They will be more concerned about the potential for escalating gas wholesale prices due to sanctions against Russia. That can reach us here. But they won't be concerned about far away Ukrainians unless they have ties to the country (e.g . loved ones), are human rights campaigners or may see loved ones in the armed forces go there.
Russia aren't after the UK. Parts of Ukraine consider themselves Russian and held in a country by a majority with a government less democratic than we are used to who won't let them decide. Therefore they are making their move now a big supporter has come forward who can't be bullied. Otherwise the Ukranian government would stamp out dissent, probably in much the same way Spain strapped Franco's jackboots back on to deal with Catalonia.
The bigger picture is politics, resources and strategic locations. Do you think the US give a crap about democracy in Ukraine? They don't want Russia advancing and taking more strategic locations. Russia don't want the US having it all their own way. And the dance goes on. The Ukraine couldn't get into NATO yet so along comes an associate membership lowering the bar. The US pat themselves on the back and Russia get annoyed.
If it stays as is and Putin goes back it still won't resolve the internal problems in Ukraine. Some people want out. Perhaps a vote might be a way? Perhaps John Major could whine on about his "tyranny of the majority" although I suspect he would be quiet and back NATO :whistles:
Thank you for this post :)!
Terry's post really does put things in perspective for those triggered and frightened by what is going on in Ukraine. It is all about the bigger picture, enormous wealth and political manoeuvring but ultimately all happening in a land far away and likely to drag on for ages despite the alarmist headlines.
Terry's post really does put things in perspective for those triggered and frightened by what is going on in Ukraine. It is all about the bigger picture, enormous wealth and political manoeuvring but ultimately all happening in a land far away and likely to drag on for ages despite the alarmist headlines.
Dead right Pulisa.
I also believe the media feel they need something 'scary' to focus on right now, especially as the threat of 'killer' Covid now appears to be receding for most of us. I do remember saying around this time last year that I wouldn't mind betting that in a year's time when we're probably over the worst of the pandemic, the media (and politicians) will have probably moved on to the next big 'scare'/'crisis', whatever it may be.
And it seems I'm correct.
We've also had a succession of about 4 'named' storms over the British Isles over the past week, coupled with endless articles about cost of living crises added to all the relentless depressing stuff.
I’m very grateful to those who post on here with sensible, balanced, comment intended to help others get some perspective. No one can predict what will happen but this helps when many others ( usually on Twitter/Facebook etc) are posting inflammatory, alarmist comments. Some of this is done in the name of political satire but it’s not helpful to those of us who are sensitive and worry a lot. I wonder what people get out of it. ��
Fifteen minutes of fame and total irresponsibility, especially scaring vulnerable people like us witless!
It's as if certain sad cases blatantly get kicks from it!
Fifteen minutes of fame and total irresponsibility, especially scaring vulnerable people like us witless!
It's as if certain sad cases blatantly get kicks from it!
It’s very cruel. I’m trying very hard to stay calm at the moment but feeling completely overwhelmed and actually quite ill. I’ve not felt this anxious for a very long time. I hardly slept at all last night
I’m avoiding the news etc but it’s more difficult on social media. I enjoy going on there usually, but things keep popping up from random places that are very scary. Not sure how long I can cope with all this.
It’s very cruel. I’m trying very hard to stay calm at the moment but feeling completely overwhelmed and actually quite ill. I’ve not felt this anxious for a very long time. I hardly slept at all last night
I’m avoiding the news etc but it’s more difficult on social media. I enjoy going on there usually, but things keep popping up from random places that are very scary. Not sure how long I can cope with all this.
There will of course be a lot of the inevitable fake news/ misinformation/conspiracy theories, etc, running riot online right now, especially written and posted by the serial 'know-it-alls' and keyboard warriors, which we should all beware of.
Trouble is, the authorities are seemingly powerless to stop any of such online madness, and those creating and posting such stuff would only bemoan their rights to free expression being curtailed and inadvertently play the 'fascist' card!
Seriously many people in this country don't realise how fortunate most of us really are in the grand scheme of things, compared to certain other countries where the likes of absolute poverty and full-on state dictatorship is the rule, rather than the exception!
Pamplemousse
23-02-22, 12:58
It’s very cruel. I’m trying very hard to stay calm at the moment but feeling completely overwhelmed and actually quite ill. I’ve not felt this anxious for a very long time. I hardly slept at all last night
I’m avoiding the news etc but it’s more difficult on social media. I enjoy going on there usually, but things keep popping up from random places that are very scary. Not sure how long I can cope with all this.
Switch off social media completely, close your accounts, shut the laptop and read a book instead. This is the only social media I participate in: I have binned WhatsApp and have never taken part in Twitter and Facebook. Saves energy too :)
No good comes of social media despite what its advocates tell you, especially those shilling for Zuckerberg.
PM is quite right, Pigeon. It's an all or nothing thing with social media for you now. If you can't cope with the potential "news flashes" on social media then it's best to go cold turkey for the sake of your mental health.
Absolutely PM and Pulisa.
Social media can amount to right poisonous cesspits full of conniving barsteward even during the better of times.
Over the past 6 years or so, my dad's Facebook page has been littered with all kinds of obscene posts and 'memes' (especially pertaining to Brexit and associated heavy political stuff, pro and anti), but he just skips past them and ignores them completely.
It's most certainly a 'culture war' we're going through right now, never mind a conventional 'war'!
I agree with you all - PM, Pulisa and Lencoboy. I don’t usually have a problem with SM, it helps me keep in touch with friends and family and I ignore the rubbish. But for the moment, I’ll keep away.
I’ve just spent a lovely afternoon with my daughter and granddaughter today instead of stewing at home with the I pad and I’m starting to feel a little better. Thanks ��
I agree with you all - PM, Pulisa and Lencoboy. I don’t usually have a problem with SM, it helps me keep in touch with friends and family and I ignore the rubbish. But for the moment, I’ll keep away.
I’ve just spent a lovely afternoon with my daughter and granddaughter today instead of stewing at home with the I pad and I’m starting to feel a little better. Thanks ��
Good for you my friend!
Funnily enough, I've just been backtracking through this sub-section and came across another thread that was also started by Confusion on 25/11/21 during the original onset of this Ukraine crisis, titled 'Worried about war', of which I also replied to at the time.
But of course it became overshadowed by this 'second' thread, that was started midway through December.
Not having digs, BTW, just made an observation.
Pamplemousse
23-02-22, 18:18
I agree with you all - PM, Pulisa and Lencoboy. I don’t usually have a problem with SM, it helps me keep in touch with friends and family and I ignore the rubbish. But for the moment, I’ll keep away.
I’ve just spent a lovely afternoon with my daughter and granddaughter today instead of stewing at home with the I pad and I’m starting to feel a little better. Thanks ��
That sounds most agreeable, Pigeon :)
I've no idea how Facebook/Twitter and other stuff works, but can you not put filters in so that it excludes the nonsense, even if a family member forwards it?
That sounds most agreeable, Pigeon :)
I've no idea how Facebook/Twitter and other stuff works, but can you not put filters in so that it excludes the nonsense, even if a family member forwards it?
Pulisa, if there is, I don’t know how to work it!
I agree with you all - PM, Pulisa and Lencoboy. I don’t usually have a problem with SM, it helps me keep in touch with friends and family and I ignore the rubbish. But for the moment, I’ll keep away.
I’ve just spent a lovely afternoon with my daughter and granddaughter today instead of stewing at home with the I pad and I’m starting to feel a little better. Thanks ��
That's great! If you return to your real world things just continue as normal which is very fortunate for us but just how it is.
In 1982 I was working in England on a war situation in a far off land but when I left my shift I returned to the normality of people getting on with their lives here and not knowing what awful stuff I was dealing with. It was so weird and news reports didn't reflect the reality. Thank goodness SM didn't exist then!
That's great! If you return to your real world things just continue as normal which is very fortunate for us but just how it is.
In 1982 I was working in England on a war situation in a far off land but when I left my shift I returned to the normality of people getting on with their lives here and not knowing what awful stuff I was dealing with. It was so weird and news reports didn't reflect the reality. Thank goodness SM didn't exist then!
That would have probably been the Falklands War.
Also around that time of course seemed to be a fair amount of disquiet pertaining to the Cold War, all of which (at the age of 5) I was totally oblivious to at the time, thank god!
I seriously dread to imagine how I might had coped had I been the age I am now back then, but at least, like you said, we didn't have social media back then with people constantly riling each other up.
Ignorance was bliss..Not for me though!
That's great! If you return to your real world things just continue as normal which is very fortunate for us but just how it is.
In 1982 I was working in England on a war situation in a far off land but when I left my shift I returned to the normality of people getting on with their lives here and not knowing what awful stuff I was dealing with. It was so weird and news reports didn't reflect the reality. Thank goodness SM didn't exist then!Ah yes the Falklands War Pulisa. I was a naive 17 year old then working as an apprentice bricklayer. Though I did have an older cousin who was aboard HMS Yarmouth.
I was fresh out of university and terrified at what I was plunged into. Seems unbelievable now but it happened.
Awful developments overnight. We are very fortunate to be merely observing from afar
Pulisa, I remember being terrified when the Falklands war started. I had just had my second child and getting up to feed him in the middle of the night was awful as I felt so scared and alone in the dark and so worried that somehow he would be harmed. Any kind of war, whether it concerns the UK or not has always scared me witless.
The news about Ukraine is terrible. I am trying to keep calm by avoiding the news and SM today. I wish I could be more resilient and not over-react. Any tips on how to do this gratefully received.
Everyone, remember to keep looking at this site:
debunkingdoomsday.quora.com
Everyone, remember to keep looking at this site:
debunkingdoomsday.quora.com
With respect I'd say don't keep looking at that site. Not too much anyway. While it's good to read an unhysterical viewpoint on it from time to time, feeling you need to seek out reassurance is the wrong way to deal with this from an anxiety point of view. If you overly rely on a site like that for your wellbeing, what happens if he stops posting? What if his predictions change or he has a doomy day and he starts worrying you? What if he's incorrect a few times and you lose faith in him?
We saw it during Covid, a couple of self-appointed commentators who (from about April 2020) would say the end of the pandemic was mere weeks away. Now as awful as Covid was, we've (almost) got through it, at least in this country. It was terrible and tragic, but not the apocalyptic event some people were fearing. But commentators too eager to soothe fears were doing counterintuitive harm, because they led people to associate hope with false hope. Similarly this crisis will probably not impact those of us outside the immediate area (as heartbreaking as it is for those who are), but over analysis of what Putin's thinking or will do or won't do in the meantime isn't really helpful to us who are worrying about it.
I am with you Anxie there is no way I will keep looking at that site.
Pamplemousse
24-02-22, 09:51
I never rated that site, having read it.
Well, I'm trying not to think too much about this - as someone half-Ukrainian, I am angry beyond measure.
What worries me is we had covid 2020 Spanish flu around same time 100 years ago. We had a world war 100 years ago I often hear history rhymes and if it’s another world war that’s no good news that’s almost like history repeating itself?
I’ve looked at the site and generally found it reassuring but I also get very alarmed by some of the dramatic posts worried people make in reaction to various news reports or internet research they’ve done. When you read the responses to these, again, they are usually reassuring. But to keep immersing yourself in the situation by constantly checking at every stage is exhausting and stressful in itself and can’t be good for anyone.
As I discovered yesterday, as hard as it is to tear yourself away, you will feel better if you have a break from it and carry on with normal life. This terrible situation will evolve over time and hopefully steps will be taken to de-escalate. Nothing we say or do will make any difference to the poor people in Ukraine, but at least we can support each other on here. ��
My social media has gone from covid talk to Ukraine hard to avoid it!!
What worries me is we had covid 2020 Spanish flu around same time 100 years ago. We had a world war 100 years ago I often hear history rhymes and if it’s another world war that’s no good news that’s almost like history repeating itself?
That's magical thinking and you know it.
My social media has gone from covid talk to Ukraine hard to avoid it!!
Then avoid social media. Mute words on Twitter. Temporarily unfollow or mute people who are going on about it too much. Think if you're connected to or follow people who are making you iller, and question why you keep them in your digital life.
There's a lot of talk here sometimes of "its too hard to avoid it!". It's not, it's the compulsion to look that's hard. Most people are genuinely avoiding it without trying.
happydylbob
24-02-22, 12:54
It’s been a long time since I last posted on this site. I can pinpoint 16 years ago when my anxiety first started just after the birth of my daughter and I read about the possibility of a global pandemic that could affect millions of people. Ironically the last 2 years have been the quietist my over active mind has been. Until all of this happened between Russia and the Ukraine, and here I am back again although now it’s not only my own anxieties I’m dealing with it’s that of my 16 year old daughter. For whom I have to be the rational one and explain that just because it is on tik tok it doesn’t necessarily mean it will happen. I couldn’t agree more with the statements about staying away from social media. I only really do Facebook and unfollowed the people who I knew would exacerbate my anxiety years ago. Sorry for the rambling I’m just looking for a bit of moral support from people who understand the panic that I am feeling about the current situation.
Glad I found this thread. I'm driving myself a little crazy because although I'm fully aware of how this all works, that anxious voice in my head keeps saying "but what if?". I know what the invasion of Ukraine means, I know that we may feel sanctions, and I know they're not NATO. But it's so hard to extinguish that little anxious voice sometimes...
Happydylbob I understand completely how you’re feeling. I do think you’re right about avoiding (or limiting) social media and I keeping yourself busy with daily routines and contact with others can help distract and give you some purpose.
I'm also limiting my exposure to TV and radio news the moment too. No good will come of me listening to a blow-by-blow account of every development - in fact it will just make me feel frightened and anxious. I’ve decided to be kind to myself instead.
Like you say, you need to be rational so you can reassure your daughter and hopefully, being on here and knowing you’re in good company will help you feel supported and stronger. :bighug1:
Would it help anyone to write out what things they are actually worried about? Things that would affect them in their everyday life?
Pamplemousse
24-02-22, 14:48
I have decided the best course of action for me is no TV, no radio, no online media. In this case, ignorance really is bliss.
I’m…I’m speechless. I don’t know what to do, what to say. They aren’t listening to the people. They aren’t listening to the sane people in their own governments. I’ve done something I haven’t done in years, not even when the North Korean crisis was happening. I prayed to God. I asked God to intervene. Maybe I’m talking to the wind. It can’t hurt. I’m scared to death, you know?
I've not been overly concerned about the stand-off between these two countries. I think because I thought Putin was blustering, muscle flexing. But now he's actually gone and invaded and the anxiety has shot up.
I remember the Falklands War but my knowledge of that was out of date newspaper reports and grainy images on the TV. Modern tech gives us wall-to-wall news now.
Whilst I most certainly am concerned about this current situation between Russia and Ukraine, I do think Covid still remains a far more immediate 'threat' to us here in the UK ATM, despite a less lethal variant now dominating and inadvertently declining case numbers.
Plus we're also probably still far more likely to get run over by a bus or end up in a car crash than get physically attacked by Russians in this country.
And Phil, the Spanish Flu pandemic didn't actually lead to WW2, that's just a myth AFAIK. In fact, WW2 actually started some 19 years after said pandemic had ended.
I've not been overly concerned about the stand-off between these two countries. I think because I thought Putin was blustering, muscle flexing. But now he's actually gone and invaded and the anxiety has shot up.
I remember the Falklands War but my knowledge of that was out of date newspaper reports and grainy images on the TV. Modern tech gives us wall-to-wall news now.
Dead right Fishman.
Of course you also lived through the (original) Cold War, the two Iraq wars in 1991 and 2003 respectively, and of course the conflicts in Bosnia and Kosovo in the 90s, but of course we didn't have wall-to-wall coverage by 24/7 news programmes and social media bombarding us with endless OTT stuff back then, like you said.
Also my dad said to me that it's Ukraine that Putin and Co are after right now, not the UK.
Whilst I most certainly am concerned about this current situation between Russia and Ukraine, I do think Covid still remains a far more immediate 'threat' to us here in the UK ATM, despite a less lethal variant now dominating and inadvertently declining case numbers.
Plus we're also probably still far more likely to get run over by a bus or end up in a car crash than get physically attacked by Russians in this country.
And Phil, the Spanish Flu pandemic didn't actually lead to WW2, that's just a myth AFAIK. In fact, WW2 actually started some 19 years after said pandemic had ended.Very true Lenco on all levels. The Spanish Flu had nothing to do whatsoever with WW2, that was all down to a seemingly innocuous WW1 Corporal in the German Army.
MyNameIsTerry
24-02-22, 17:16
With respect I'd say don't keep looking at that site. Not too much anyway. While it's good to read an unhysterical viewpoint on it from time to time, feeling you need to seek out reassurance is the wrong way to deal with this from an anxiety point of view. If you overly rely on a site like that for your wellbeing, what happens if he stops posting? What if his predictions change or he has a doomy day and he starts worrying you? What if he's incorrect a few times and you lose faith in him?
We saw it during Covid, a couple of self-appointed commentators who (from about April 2020) would say the end of the pandemic was mere weeks away. Now as awful as Covid was, we've (almost) got through it, at least in this country. It was terrible and tragic, but not the apocalyptic event some people were fearing. But commentators too eager to soothe fears were doing counterintuitive harm, because they led people to associate hope with false hope. Similarly this crisis will probably not impact those of us outside the immediate area (as heartbreaking as it is for those who are), but over analysis of what Putin's thinking or will do or won't do in the meantime isn't really helpful to us who are worrying about it.
Yes, it's reassurance. External reassurance just keeps the cycle going. You need to be able to reassure yourself until the time comes you don't even need that. Otherwise you've created another crutch.
You need what is called adaptive strategy. Then you change from doing something for the wring reasons to something aimed at changing how you think or feel about something.
MyNameIsTerry
24-02-22, 17:27
I've not been overly concerned about the stand-off between these two countries. I think because I thought Putin was blustering, muscle flexing. But now he's actually gone and invaded and the anxiety has shot up.
I remember the Falklands War but my knowledge of that was out of date newspaper reports and grainy images on the TV. Modern tech gives us wall-to-wall news now.
Also worth remembering the situation in Syria. We had US and Russian forces having the odd mini clash which led to talks between the two countries. The media loved it and started to talk about potential war. Nothing happened.
I agree with pulisa on this. How many clashes go on we never hear of? Think of all those fighters in the air patrolling borders with their opposite numbers. Think how we sometimes hear of them straying off course. Anxious people worry, the armed forces just deal with and move on.
What came of all this "Russian manoeuvres near UK waters" stuff? Nothing. It happens and unless the media make a big deal about it the forces just sort it out.
I wonder if Russian people get a daily bombardment of news about what we are up to? When another country joins NATO or the EU do they get scaremongering about power grabbing near their borders? And the dance goes on...
MyNameIsTerry
24-02-22, 17:36
Glad I found this thread. I'm driving myself a little crazy because although I'm fully aware of how this all works, that anxious voice in my head keeps saying "but what if?". I know what the invasion of Ukraine means, I know that we may feel sanctions, and I know they're not NATO. But it's so hard to extinguish that little anxious voice sometimes...
It's an environmental factor. So forget the subject and look towards how you address that. How would a HAer need to address a wait for some results for that lump they found? To them it's also the end of the world. The only difference is how their anxiety focusses on a different theme.
Would you distract yourself? Would you work harder on healthier daily activities? Would you remove negative inputs until you are able to not be triggered by them due to improving your anxiety? Would you use CBT-style techniques such as positive what-ifs to address the negative ones? Would you rationalise and reframe conclusions? What about relaxation techniques?
If you aren't doing any of that then your anxiety is having it all it's own way.
I've not been overly concerned about the stand-off between these two countries. I think because I thought Putin was blustering, muscle flexing. But now he's actually gone and invaded and the anxiety has shot up.
I remember the Falklands War but my knowledge of that was out of date newspaper reports and grainy images on the TV. Modern tech gives us wall-to-wall news now.
But you still don't know what really goes on.
On a side note I had no idea Chernobyl was Ukraine I believe they were offering tours there until recently I think those won’t happen going by todays news about a radiation cloud
Also worth remembering the situation in Syria. We had US and Russian forces having the odd mini clash which led to talks between the two countries. The media loved it and started to talk about potential war. Nothing happened.
I agree with pulisa on this. How many clashes go on we never hear of? Think of all those fighters in the air patrolling borders with their opposite numbers. Think how we sometimes hear of them straying off course. Anxious people worry, the armed forces just deal with and move on.
What came of all this "Russian manoeuvres near UK waters" stuff? Nothing. It happens and unless the media make a big deal about it the forces just sort it out.
I wonder if Russian people get a daily bombardment of news about what we are up to? When another country joins NATO or the EU do they get scaremongering about power grabbing near their borders? And the dance goes on...
Our media, of course, almost always need something unnerving to keep harping on about, and this Ukraine conflict is quite timely for them as they now seem to have far less to report on Covid, which of course still remains a more immediate 'physical' threat to us here in this country, even though we now seem to be past the peak of the Omicron wave (at the very least).
Terror threats from the likes of ISIS/AQ, etc, still remain, plus we've already had the IRA and their attendant threats for many years.
Then the media will once again be back to scaring us witless over the state of the economy, then feral youngsters and violent crime, and all the other issues they seem to keep regurgitating every few years, and the cycle continues.
I am in America. I have started researching what it was like to live in the USSR during the cold war. I feel like WW3 is inevitable and with our administration, I think we will lose. I think Russia or China is going to take us over and I am just trying to mentally prepare for communism. Yup -that is where my anxiety has taken me. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
I have no idea how to give any words of encouragement. I don't have any. What I think is that we have to be ready for whatever is in front of us.
Is nobody here just feeling sorry for the Ukrainians and what they must be going through right now?
Is nobody here just feeling sorry for the Ukrainians and what they must be going through right now?
Absolutely, sometimes we can spend so much time 60 steps ahead into our own dark fantasies we forget the people for who this isn't a hypothetical. It's an awful reality for them, which we are very unlikely to face.
Is nobody here just feeling sorry for the Ukrainians and what they must be going through right now?
Yes, my heart breaks for them. Absolutely tragic.
We are so privileged to be living were we are. It so easy to switch off the TV or the internet and go back to normal life. The Ukrainians don't have that option.
I was listening to a caller on the radio say that all the anxiety over hearing the news today had made her lose her appetite..how awful..and another contributor based in Kiev said "So what..People here are losing their lives. Losing your appetite is nothing".
Perspective is so important.
Is nobody here just feeling sorry for the Ukrainians and what they must be going through right now?Very much so BI. Its appalling what is happening to them.
We are so privileged to be living were we are. It so easy to switch off the TV or the internet and go back to normal life. The Ukrainians don't have that option.
I was listening to a caller on the radio say that all the anxiety over hearing the news today had made her lose her appetite..how awful..and another contributor based in Kiev said "So what..People here are losing their lives. Losing your appetite is nothing".
Perspective is so important.
It absolutely is. We need to think about the people who are really affected by this.
It absolutely is. We need to think about the people who are really affected by this.
Absolutely. We're not really affected by this. We're just casual observers.
spectrum123
24-02-22, 20:23
Absolutely. We're not really affected by this. We're just casual observers.
The Russians though will feed those anxious on here. Like they promoted the anti-vax movement by forcing the promotion algorithms to try and create destabilization in the West, they will now switch to the Ukraine issue.
The anxious, looking for answers to sedate their fear, will played on by those in the East.
Another reason to give social media a swerve for a while if you're anxious, there are people/countries out there who want to feed it.
I think Pulisa asked a good question a couple of pages back.
what is it exactly that’s triggering people? War in general? Being personally involved at some point? if so, how you think your life will be altered? If you break it down to exactly what’s worrying you, it may help on here.
My heart bleeds for the Ukrainian people. The Russian public do not want this war either, but how do they voice their disagreement?
Chernobyl is a very strange place to capture. Hardly anybody lives there and nobody can spend much time there. I read something by a political commentator who said that it's basically just a PR move. May suggest they don't have the power to capture elsewhere but idk.
My heart breaks for anyone directly involved. It's horrific and Ukraine is such a peaceful country.
I think the anxiety in me is fretting about there being a wider war which could involve nuclear warfare, a war on the home front, or conscription. All of that I know is virtually impossible. I know that countries are unlikely to get involved in nuclear warfare - especially not Russia as most superpowers are against them. I know that conscription is a thing of the past - the gov couldn't even get everyone to wear face masks. Not sure about wars on the home front? I'm worrying theres going to be another Blitz or something if we end up going to war with Russia!
I'm also very well aware that we probably won't go to war with Russia. I know that he probably has to invade NATO countries for that, which theres no reason to think he'll do.
But of course, this is my anxiety that has taken off, NOT my day to day life like Ukrainians. I am an anxious mess, but I'm very very grateful that I only have to deal with this and not the horror they are going through.
The Russians though will feed those anxious on here. Like they promoted the anti-vax movement by forcing the promotion algorithms to try and create destabilization in the West, they will now switch to the Ukraine issue.
The anxious, looking for answers to sedate their fear, will played on by those in the East.
Another reason to give social media a swerve for a while if you're anxious, there are people/countries out there who want to feed it.
I agree. The internet is a great tool for the Russians.
Claire.. you made me laugh, which we surely need to do, when you said the government couldn’t even get people to wear face masks let alone conscript them. Lol
As far as NATO is concerned. It is peacekeeping but it is a block of 30 countries with an all for one and one for all mentality. Invade one and you invade all. That’s 30 countries with a fire power/military capability of 10 times what Putin has.
with the nuclear stuff..that’s mutual destruction. Certainly no Russia. Would Putin want that? Who would win? No one.This poor planet.
As far as NATO is concerned. It is peacekeeping but it is a block of 30 countries with an all for one and one for all mentality. Invade one and you invade all. That’s 30 countries with a fire power/military capability of 10 times what Putin has.
with the nuclear stuff..that’s mutual destruction. Certainly no Russia. Would Putin want that? Who would win? No one.This poor planet.This poor planet indeed Darksky. We have global warming causing climate change with all the ensuing problems, and all we can do is threaten and kill each other. We should be pulling together.
Claire.. you made me laugh, which we surely need to do, when you said the government couldn’t even get people to wear face masks let alone conscript them. Lol
As far as NATO is concerned. It is peacekeeping but it is a block of 30 countries with an all for one and one for all mentality. Invade one and you invade all. That’s 30 countries with a fire power/military capability of 10 times what Putin has.
with the nuclear stuff..that’s mutual destruction. Certainly no Russia. Would Putin want that? Who would win? No one.This poor planet.
I'm glad I made you laugh! I know, I'm fairly well versed on how the world works and know all the facts BUT I also have anxiety living rent free in my head and things feed on it. I definitely need to avoid the news. Unfortunately I work in media (not current affairs though) so I do need to use social media a bit for work and usually have to read specific sections of the paper every morning - I don't need to read the stuff about Ukraine but it's hard to skip past it!
I know it’s an odd angle Fish but when you think how unique we are in the cosmos, it’s awful to think we could obliterate it, taking all carefully evolved life with us.
Pamplemousse
24-02-22, 21:32
Is nobody here just feeling sorry for the Ukrainians and what they must be going through right now?
Well, I am... because I'm half-Ukrainian.
You should have seen the comments on the BBC website earlier - many are simply moaning this is going to put the cost of petrol up again.
Some very interesting and wise words on here tonight, especially from Anxle, BI, Darksky and Pulisa.
Yes I agree that we should definitely spare a thought for the people of Ukraine right now but at the same time be grateful that we here in the UK don't currently face any immediate physical threats from this, even though of course, we can never say never to anything.
Obviously only time will tell as to how the whole conflict plays out but at least in the meantime we in the UK should all try to carry on doing what we do best on a day-to-day basis, and just generally remain vigilant, like most of us have already been doing owing to Covid over the past 2 years.
You know - it doesn't surprise me to hear people already moaning about potential price increases in fuel. Sanctions need to be robust, they are needed, but they will have consequences for others globally at some point or in some way. Those must be accepted - how willing people are to accept the consequences of sanctions when they are far away from Ukraine ? If people truly care about those poor pertrified innocent people thrown into a war, then the consequences of sanctions are hardly a large price to pay.
It was heartening to see the bravery of the Russian anti-war protestors.
Well, I am... because I'm half-Ukrainian.
You should have seen the comments on the BBC website earlier - many are simply moaning this is going to put the cost of petrol up again.Do you have relatives out there PM? I'm so sorry you are being subjected to such banal comments. Thinking of you mate.
spectrum123
24-02-22, 21:48
I know it’s an odd angle Fish but when you think how unique we are in the cosmos, it’s awful to think we could obliterate it, taking all carefully evolved life with us.
We would take ourselves, larger mammals and plants. Smaller mammals, insects, invertebrates, fish, plants, bacteria, and virus's would mainly survive. The world would recover and evolution would continue.
Humans aren't even a blink in the eye in earth time, and not significant in space time. Neither would miss us.
We aren't as important as we like to think.
We are so privileged to be living were we are. It so easy to switch off the TV or the internet and go back to normal life. The Ukrainians don't have that option.
I was listening to a caller on the radio say that all the anxiety over hearing the news today had made her lose her appetite..how awful..and another contributor based in Kiev said "So what..People here are losing their lives. Losing your appetite is nothing".
Perspective is so important.
Interesting you should say that as one staff member at my day centre was saying today that she remembers when the Lockerbie thing happened back in Dec 88 (which was technically our 9/11 moment in terms of aircraft being involved), the rest of the UK never seemed to go into epic meltdown over it all at the time, as tragic as it was (and despite it actually happening within our shores), but a lot of us in this country alone are whipping each other up into a frenzy over this Ukraine thing right now, despite it not currently posing any specific threat to us.
But that staff member isn't by any means trivialising what's going on in Ukraine right now though, she was saying that we all need a sense of perspective and context.
You know - it doesn't surprise me to hear people already moaning about potential price increases in fuel. Sanctions need to be robust, they are needed, but they will have consequences for others globally at some point or in some way. Those must be accepted - how willing people are to accept the consequences of sanctions when they are far away from Ukraine ? If people truly care about those poor pertrified innocent people thrown into a war, then the consequences of sanctions are hardly a large price to pay.
It was heartening to see the bravery of the Russian anti-war protestors.
Exactly Carys.
Rising fuel prices here in Blighty partly as a consequence of this conflict are by far the lesser evil (for us) and are a mere walk in the park compared to the suffering of the poor innocent folk of Ukraine right now.
Good god, some people really do seem to have a one-track mind, and can be so self-centred at times!
We would take ourselves, larger mammals and plants. Smaller mammals, insects, invertebrates, fish, plants, bacteria, and virus's would mainly survive. The world would recover and evolution would continue.
Humans aren't even a blink in the eye in earth time, and not significant in space time. Neither would miss us.
We aren't as important as we like to think.We've existed on this planet for a very short time in relation to certain other species. Sharks and crocodiles for instance, not to mention invertebrates. Those larger mammals are nearing extinction without any nuclear holocaust/climate change scenario. Ivory to make chess pieces, rhino horn an aphrodisiac, gorilla hands as ash trays.
spectrum123
24-02-22, 22:28
Interesting you should say that as one staff member at my day centre was saying today that she remembers when the Lockerbie thing happened back in Dec 88 (which was technically our 9/11 moment in terms of aircraft being involved), the rest of the UK never seemed to go into epic meltdown over it all at the time, as tragic as it was (and despite it actually happening within our shores), but a lot of us in this country alone are whipping each other up into a frenzy over this Ukraine thing right now, despite it not currently posing any specific threat to us.
But that staff member isn't by any means trivialising what's going on in Ukraine right now though, she was saying that we all need a sense of perspective and context.
Apart from on here, I've not seen anyone whipping themselves up into a frenzy. Not at work, not when I went into town, and very little on my Facebook feed, apart from the odd comment that the Russians are acting like ducks.
I also didn't see any meltdowns during covid. The vast majority isolated or stayed at home when asked, wore masks when required, and generally tried to get on with their lives as normally as they could. Bit of dark humour here and there, but the majority of the public knew it wasn't permanent.
Ukraine doing compulsory enlistment what are chances of that here that’s my fear??
Ivory to make chess pieces, rhino horn an aphrodisiac, gorilla hands as ash trays.
Horrifies me. I hope we can save these large, incredible mammals.
Wiki says “
Those who were blind or had mental disorders” during WW2 so maybe anxiety and bipolar exempt ?
Ukraine doing compulsory enlistment what are chances of that here that’s my fear??
Why do you do this to yourself? Why ask these questions I suspect you know the answers to?
As scary as this seems maybe we should be looking to those who are actually going through this hell right now, instead of only thinking about it in terms of fantastically unlikely ways of of how it may impact us personally.
MyNameIsTerry
24-02-22, 23:06
Wiki says “
Those who were blind or had mental disorders” during WW2 so maybe anxiety and bipolar exempt ?
Different world back then, phil. Mental disorders were the more complex types and not anxiety or depression. But it's all irrelevant as that's not going to happen. We don't fight in trenches anymore and boots are no match for advanced technology.
MyNameIsTerry
24-02-22, 23:08
Is nobody here just feeling sorry for the Ukrainians and what they must be going through right now?
Of course. There's always something bad going on somewhere.
MyNameIsTerry
25-02-22, 00:36
Apart from on here, I've not seen anyone whipping themselves up into a frenzy. Not at work, not when I went into town, and very little on my Facebook feed, apart from the odd comment that the Russians are acting like ducks.
I also didn't see any meltdowns during covid. The vast majority isolated or stayed at home when asked, wore masks when required, and generally tried to get on with their lives as normally as they could. Bit of dark humour here and there, but the majority of the public knew it wasn't permanent.
Any mention of oil and here comes the petrol panic buying. The media will pour their own petrol all over it.
Of course. There's always something bad going on somewhere.
Of course, Terry. It just saddens me (even on an anxiety board) to see all this focus on individual fears and so little concern for those who are actually living it right now.
Any mention of oil and here comes the petrol panic buying. The media will pour their own petrol all over it.
I seriously don't get a lot of our blatant obsessions with petrol a lot of the time, as if it's the be-all-and-end-all of nearly everything in this country.
OK, fuel price increases may seem like a bit of a shorter-term irritation to a lot of us here in the UK, but like I previously said upthread, they pale into insignificance compared to the guns and bombs going off in Ukraine right now, and terrified innocent folk there running for their lives.
In fact, I find a lot of all the moaning and groaning about rising fuel prices here very selfish and distasteful in the extreme, in the context of what the poor Ukrainians are facing right now.
Many of us are simply ungrateful period!
Of course, Terry. It just saddens me (even on an anxiety board) to see all this focus on individual fears and so little concern for those who are actually living it right now.
Nail on the head BI.
Like I just said above, people in this country (which so far remains physically unaffected by this conflict) have the nerve to get their knickers in a twist over the likes of petrol prices and harp on about how unjust it all is despite their not actually in the thick of the actual conflict itself right now.
Some people in this country seriously need to get a life and indeed count their blessings!
So Phil - let me get this straight - you have spent the day searching online for potential exemptions for yourself, incase there is conscription here ? (which is beyond ridiculous to even imagine happening) I despair.
Can you try and understand how this looks to people who are worried about their loved ones in Ukraine ?
So Phil - let me get this straight - you have spent the day searching online for potential exemptions for yourself, incase there is conscription here ? (which is beyond ridiculous to even imagine happening) I despair.
Can you try and understand how this looks to people who are worried about their loved ones in Ukraine ?
Also there's not currently any talk of the UK troops getting directly involved with this conflict, so not a here-and-now problem.
In the worst case scenario, such a thing would probably only happen as an absolute last resort.
But then again, I'm no expert so who am I to know.
Apart from on here, I've not seen anyone whipping themselves up into a frenzy. Not at work, not when I went into town, and very little on my Facebook feed, apart from the odd comment that the Russians are acting like ducks.
I also didn't see any meltdowns during covid. The vast majority isolated or stayed at home when asked, wore masks when required, and generally tried to get on with their lives as normally as they could. Bit of dark humour here and there, but the majority of the public knew it wasn't permanent.
I know this isn't quite the same, but as far as Lockerbie and other similar past events were concerned, the TV news and the media in general weren't as 'in-yer-face' back then as they are today.
Plus of course it was local pubs and WMCs that were that era's equivalent of today's 'social media', which are now largely outmoded, though that's another story altogether.
Matthew1233
25-02-22, 10:33
Is Russia going to invade NATO countries next that's what I am scared about?
I think that’s the worry he invades more countries and we have a worse war. I don’t see him stepping back with the sanctions imposed?
Matthew, Frank, Phil, are you listening to yourselves? Anxiety or no, you ought to be ashamed worrying about your own overprivileged backsides when there are people actually living this.
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