How Can I Stop Worrying?

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TheCavySlave

TheCavySlave

Adult Guinea Pig
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I've found myself worrying unbearably about the pigs. It's my anxiety. I panic that something terrible will happen, one will pass away and the other will be depressed and lonely. I'm so scared all the time, it's stopping me from enjoying them. How do you guys manage? Do I just relax and only worry when they actually show real medical symptoms? My stress about something happening is taking away the joy I got from owning the furballs, I constantly fear something is wrong. If I rehomed them I'd be heartbroken, I just want to be able to enjoy them. I suppose I want to be reassured- I WOULD notice if they were ill. We check them weekly and weigh them probably more than weekly. How can I relax about this?
 
Try not to look for problems just enjoy them for them selves everydya , if something is wrong you'll notice , chin up you're doing great x
 
Sorry you are feeling this way. Sometimes I do too, so I try remind myself I am doing the very best I can. I know you are too. Like MJG said, you are doing a great job watching them for symptoms and would notice if something goes wrong. :hug:
 
Would it maybe help if you set a routine in place so you knew without a shadow of a doubt you had checked them for issues? Perhaps you could have a weekly health check cuddle and weighing session that you record in a piggy health book? Some bonding time you can enjoy together so it's not a stressful thing, that way the pigs aren't bothered by you worrying and checking them constantly, and you know you've got a solid record? You could even snap a picture on your phone of anything you think might be a problem during that weekly check and then you can have a reference for the next week too. I know it helps me to have everything written down because I'm often not able to remember exact numbers week on week, so having a precise record is really useful and the book is a constant record of the state of their health too. My vet loves it, they can see precisely what state the pigs were in on any given week.
 
Anxiety is a horrible condition and something I wouldn't wish on anyone. I suffer from it and take medication for it, but I understand where you are coming from. I have had periods where I would cry with worry over something for no reason at all. You always have all of us to talk to whenever you are worried, we'll never think any less of you. You are a fab piggy owner and the forum always has your back. :)
 
That's what anxiety does to us, makes us second guess and question even the littlest things. It a nightmare, but always better to speak to someone about it. I am always open for a PM if you need to talk at any time. My own battles with anxiety have been difficult but I found having those around me who will listen and not judge was a lifeline for me.
 
Thank you so so much Flutterby. I'm always worried they'll get hurt. Duncan's trying to get to the gap between the coroplast and the grids, I'm scared he'll trap himself there. I'm also worried he's bored, so tomorrow I will give him run time. Nights are horrible for me, I can't check on them and I worry something will happen while I'm sleeping. Thinking about it rationally, I doubt he'll hurt himself. I think he just needs some entertainment. My mind loves to create fear, I think it's beginning to get extreme...
 
I suffer from multiple anxiety disorders myself so I completely understand where you're coming from! I'm terrified of them being sick or passing away...so much so I actually invent problems that aren't really there!

Only thing I can suggest to you is just enjoy them on a day to day basis - take loads of photos every day! The only other thing that tends to help me out is just with going with the gut feeling - you're an awesome piggy mummy, you do everything you can for your piggies and I know you'll know when something's up!
 
It sounds like you are anxious about being anxious about them:eek: which can't be much fun. I am just making this up as I go along but to try and break the cycle, could you try and reward yourself for more positive thoughts? So rather than trying to stop the anxious thoughts which I think will be hard for u, if you have a nice cuddle with one of the piggies without thinking about health worries, give yourself a tick on a chart. If you laugh at them with hay balanced on their head, give yourself a tick or whatever. After 20 ticks, buy a treat for yourself / or the piggies. Just trying to think of a way you focus more on the fun parts and less on potential problems which might never happen? :)
 
DoragonHinansho said:
Only thing I can suggest to you is just enjoy them on a day to day basis - take loads of photos every day! The only other thing that tends to help me out is just with going with the gut feeling - you're an awesome piggy mummy, you do everything you can for your piggies and I know you'll know when something's up!
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:agr:
Some fabulous advice from other posts too @TheCavySlave, massive hugs hun x
 
I'm so sorry you feel like this, I honestly do nothing but worry over the guinea pigs! Even to the point where (this is going to sound strange) I started checking free ad sites for guinea pigs because I was so worried that something might happen to guinea pigs in general! I usually message them asking them not to give them away for free and ask for at least £5 to put off potential bad people taking them. I have taken 3 in from these sites because I was so worried about what would happen to them and now I literally have to stop myself looking which is really hard or I'd end up like a hoarder! (Last piggy I got from there was 2 weeks ago)

It is an awful thing i would never wish on anyone. Luckily at the moment I still live at home with my mum so I call her all the time asking how the guinea pigs are but soon I will be moving out and I have had to try and overcome this worry before I actually move out. when I stay at my boyfriend house I always used to lay in bed thinking what if a water bottle has fallen off and they have no water! So now I have like a little mental checklist of everything I could worry about before I leave the house. The guinea pigs have 3 water bottles per cage now just in case.
I ALWAYS read reviews of anything new the guinea pigs are having wether it's treats, toys or medication because my frankie who passed away earlier this month had an allergic reaction to xenex ultra spot on treatment last year and this sent me into anxiety overdrive as it was prescribed by the vets! I would literally be almost sick, get ringing in my ears, go light headed and feel like I was going to pass out in the vets since that happened and couldn't go on my own just in case something happened to me! But luckily I have found a very good guinea pig vets thanks to the lovely members of this forum and now I don't feel worried or stressed on anxious about going to the vets anymore. I actually like going as they always complement the piggies and make a real fuss of them which is really nice :)

For me the forum has really helped me. I did used to read the health and illness section and think "oh my god I'd better check my piggies for that" and start panicking but now I just read them and think "well if that does happen to my piggies I can just ask for help from the person who posted about it.

When I start to get anxious about a certain thing I've found the best way to help myself from thinking that kind of stuff is to think of a solution to a possible problem so like with the water bottle falling off I just bought more, may seem extreme having 3 water bottles to 2 guinea pigs but for me that has put that potential problem at the back of my mind. I have found thinking like this helps me feel prepared in situations that I think could happen but never actually have.
 
Piggies have us well trained! When Duncan got wounded it was horrific because there seemed to be a lot of blood, but seeing the vet so calm and efficient was really reassuring. Might have to do a checklist; whenever I find something to worry about I simply find a solution.
 
I didn't actually realise how many people suffer from anxiety! I thought it was just me, but since joining this forum I have seen a lot of people post things about having anxiety. It really does help knowing that your not alone and hearing how other people deal with it. It's nice to be able to talk to people who know exactly how you feel. I like how people are so nice and open about things on here and always willing to help out others. We are always here if you need to talk :) x
 
Stayc1989 said:
I didn't actually realise how many people suffer from anxiety! I thought it was just me, but since joining this forum I have seen a lot of people post things about having anxiety. It really does help knowing that your not alone and hearing how other people deal with it. It's nice to be able to talk to people who know exactly how you feel. I like how people are so nice and open about things on here and always willing to help out others. We are always here if you need to talk :) x
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I thought I was alone too! But I know I'm not! I had a piggy die in December of pneumonia because I didn't see symptoms of it, and now I'm always watching Cali (wouldn't accept a friend) for signs of pneumonia
 
When we love our fury family members so much it's natural to worry about them, see it as a good thing that you're genuinely concerned for their welfare and well being. However, it is about finding a balance. You may find that daily five minute checks (nose, eyes, alertness, ears, breathing etc) would put your mind at rest. This way, you'd easily spot any diversion from normal very quickly. This leaves the other 23 hours+ a day to love them, care for them and enjoy them. Have a more thorough weekly check list (weight, teeth, feet etc) that reassures you that you'll spot any early indicators of problems. It's very easy to get caught up in worrying about things that you don't need to worry about. IF you spot anything on your daily/weekly checks you'll deal with it straight away. This is the reasoning, there's nothing to worry about at the minute but IF I'm not happy or something needs dealing with, I'll be strong and do what I need to do straight away to make it right. You are in control and you can make the decisions when needed. Above all, turn this into a positive, you're a doting piggy parent whose guinea pigs' health and well being is priority, that's something to be proud of....just don't forget that part of piggy parenting is enjoying time together too.
 
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Tigermoth said:
Might be worth a chat with a GP if your anxiety is impacting on very day living. I waited too long to see the doctor when I was having a few ishoos and really regret it. I chose to take medication and it's amazing how much better I feel.
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I was also going to suggest a chat with a sympathetic GP. I think the NICE guidelines would advocate for a therapy such as CBT and medication..........these are often a good combination.
And remember there are loads of people on here to give you support :hug:
 
If it helps, I worry about them constantly, I just got used to it and tell myself to shut up.

Trixie sat in her indoor cage last night, all fluffed up and eyes half closed, I had a minor panic attack! She was fine after 20 mins and lots of cuddles (no idea what the issue was) but honestly I felt sick.

I then had a nightmare about having to leave my hamster behind in the US (no idea why I am not even going to the US anytime soon!) and woke up crying!

Now I would say I am fortunate in that I am a pretty grounded person and people say I am very laid back and take everything in my stride (little do they know) but even I have days when I love them so much I drive myself mad with worry and have anxiety dreams. I think its natural when you love something so much?
 
It's hard when you have anxiety... I have struggled with anxiety also, and yes, I do worry about my pigs, along with lots of other things. I have had to train myself to be very conscious of negative thoughts and to reality-test them before letting them run away with me. I also try hard to be very present-focused... I remind myself that I am not going to worry about 'what ifs' and just deal with situations as they present themselves because worrying about them in advance won't actually prevent or solve any problems. It just makes me unhappy when there is actually nothing to be unhappy about. I have a vet who I trust, I keep an eye on the pigs for anything unusual, and I have to just accept that I will deal with things if/when they come up and remind myself constantly not to worry about 'what ifs' that may never happen. You're definitely not the only one here with anxiety, so you have lots of people who will listen and understand!
 
Freela said:
It's hard when you have anxiety... I have struggled with anxiety also, and yes, I do worry about my pigs, along with lots of other things. I have had to train myself to be very conscious of negative thoughts and to reality-test them before letting them run away with me. I also try hard to be very present-focused... I remind myself that I am not going to worry about 'what ifs' and just deal with situations as they present themselves because worrying about them in advance won't actually prevent or solve any problems. It just makes me unhappy when there is actually nothing to be unhappy about. I have a vet who I trust, I keep an eye on the pigs for anything unusual, and I have to just accept that I will deal with things if/when they come up and remind myself constantly not to worry about 'what ifs' that may never happen. You're definitely not the only one here with anxiety, so you have lots of people who will listen and understand!
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That's exactly how I feel! At night I'm all "what if they escape and fight in the night? What if I wake up and one is suffering badly and I didn't help?!" I have to tell myself that making up possible, unlikely scenarios is somewhat insane.
 
There's a little 2 cm lip in Cali's cage between her "kitchen" area and the fleece. Once I dreamed I was watching her, and she tripped over the little lip, fell and immediately died. I woke up bawling and had to go grab her and do a 2 AM health check and weigh in! She was fine and was probably thinking "What are you doing mum? I was trying to sleep"
 
I have a generalised anxiety disorder, which was diagnosed four years ago but I have had it for about 30 years. I also suffer with confidence issues in the fact that I am not good enough and everything that I do is not good enough because everyone is better/nicer than me.

As a result of having anxiety issues for so long, I have heart palpitations and digestive issues which play up every so often, but I manage them without anyone knowing. My BP is at the upper level of normal, so I have to be careful.

I am not on medication. I tried it and I had all of the side effects so bad that it made me ill. I manage the anxiety on sheer will power and lots of deep breaths. And it is hard. I have only a few good friends due to not trusting people (I dumped most of my friends about 16 years ago due to them being very back stabbing and nasty people).

Anxiety is a very common issue for many people
 
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