Obsessed with being burgled/intruders etc?

[Cherbear]

I have a problem I wonder if anyone else has, I hope this is in the right section. When I'm on my own and even sometimes when I am not I get obsessive thoughts that someone else is in the house and we are being burgled. When I go to bed with my boyfriend and I hear the tiniest noise I am convinced there is an intruder. When I'm on my own it's at it's worst, everytime someone walks past the window I am convinced they will try to break in and hurt me. I never answer the door for the same reason.

Does anyone else have this? It takes me ages to go to sleep because I have to check so many times that the door is shut/windows at shut. Even when I can see they are shut my mind isn't convinced. It's like it has to be reassured again and again it drives me crazy because I can never relaxed.

If anyone has any advice that would be great, it gets me down so so much xx

[martin1989]

had this b4.
defo anxiety that your house aint secure enough.
i kept a baseball bat near by and my living room light on.

[Cherbear]

Thanks, I guess I will just have to try and keep it under control. I live in a first floor flat so I know it's unlikely someone can get in...doesn't stop me obsessing though

[marie1974]

hiya hun, i have those thoughts too and its horrid i know.

even with my hubby here i worry about burglers/fires/intruders etc, i just try to keep myself busy and not think too much and i dont go to bed until i am mega tired so as soon as i in bed im alseep and not thinking

[Cherbear]

That's a good idea hun, thank you Donna I am so sorry this is troubling you also xx

[kendo59]

Have you ever listened to the song "Night Prowler" by AC/DC?
Actually, probably best if you don't...

[Karen]

Hi Cherbear

How about allowing yourself to do it a certain number of times. Think about how many times you do it now and then aim to cut out one round of checking at a time.

It doesn't have to be stopping checking all the doors and windows but maybe check one window less and when you can do that, check something else less.

Or another idea is to write down on a piece of paper everything you check to make sure it is locked and as you go round put a tick against it. Take the piece of paper to bed with you and if you feel the compulsion to check again, look at the sheet of paper and reassure yourself that you have locked all the windows and doors.

Maybe worth a try?

Karen xx

[Cherbear]

I never heard that song no, maybe it's best I don't indeed!

Karen, thank you again for your wonderful advice. You have helped me a lot these past few days and your ideas are great. I will definitely try them, I think the checklist will be useful in particular because it's the part of my mind that doesn't accept their closed which troubles me so much. It also means it takes a long while to get to bed so thank you so much and hope you're well xx

[Karen]

You're welcome Cherbear I hope it helps.

Karen xx

[peanuts]

I have been like this since I was a child. It was really bad January just gone and I was literally lying in my bed waiting for someone to come through my bedroom door and attack me. Every night the same, I listen so hard for noises i start imagining them...

When I am alone and my flat mate is away, i either have to get drunk before bed or sooo tired i will fall asleep quick and with the TV on so there is some noise in the room to drown out any other sounds