I'm suffering from intense eclipse anxiety - on my third cocktail in preparation

[Doodley]

It all started with the eclipse of '99 in England. I felt a sense of impending doom, and it awakened nightmares I had as a small child of being consumed by an overwhelming force that had no form, but it was dark and evil and of proportions that would always overpower me.

I felt anxious and had to lay down before the eclipse of '99. I soon fell asleep. During my sleep I experienced the eclipse as the room darkened and lightened again. For somebody who has never had a nightmare or a bad dream since the age of around eight, it was terrifying. I awoke in a sweat and short of breath. I was having a panic attack. I knew the eclipse had passed and had caused me to feel this way.

I know it is irrational, and every part of my conscious being tells me there is no reason at all to be anxious, but memories of my last eclipse are making me anxious. My wife is bringing me another cocktail. Our totality is in about 45 minutes.

[KatyMan]

1. It's the moon transiting in front of the sun,

No different really than sudden heavy cloud cover. Everything is alright.

[cwydro]

2. So sorry to hear that.

I'm finding it to be very exciting.

I've been very down lately, and this is a nice change...something to marvel at and enjoy.

[MontanaMama]

3. It's going to be okay.

I just called my 12 year old son to remind him not to look through his eclipse glasses for longer than a minute or so...anyway, he told me that one of the neighbor girls was in tears and having a hard time. Clearly you aren't the only one feeling anxious. Be well, Doodley.

[Doodley]

6. Thank you for your reply. I survived and ready for 2024

[MontanaMama]

8. Glad to hear it!

I didn't know we had another one in 2024.

[keepthemhonestO]

4. I think it's the magnetism

may be affecting you greatly. The sun and the moon are aligned to the magnetism is super strong. There are others who are speaking a strong astrological changes that will be happening as a result, if you believe in that.

I personally see how the full moon affects people that is because of strong magnetism.People get crazy on a full moon. It's really the same.

The waves of an ocean are much strong when the sun and moon are aligned vs opposite. i'm sure you are aware.

Plus in addition you have the traumatic memory of when you were a kid, you were likely feeling the forces then.

My humble opinion!
I hope you get through it.

[Doodley]

5. Thank you for your reply. I used to live about half a mile from the sea

the sea, and on sea level. In fact, the house would flood sometimes. The tides would affect me. If it was spring tide, I could never sleep and developed a balance disorder caused by inner ear damage, which means I am more sensitive to things like movement and being on a slope than most people. So, crazy as it sounds, magnetism could be involved.

[keepthemhonestO]

7. that is probably it

I do think some people are more susceptible than others and it could be things like that.

I hope you feel better.


I am hearing tons of people who feel light headed and have headaches.

[Nay]

9. It's interesting that you've said this. I went to a small eclipse party with family

and neighbors -- there, one woman said she had been very anxious and antsy all day. I told her that I had been, too, and I was OCD about my grandson going blind, for some reason! It was all stupid, because my son brought his telescope (has a sun filter), we had viewing boxes, cardboard glasses, welder's helmets, etc. available, and nobody was gonna go blind. But we had both been VERY anxious and jittery.

Attributing the nervousness to magnetism or the tides -- well, it has to be something because neither of us had any conscious fear of eclipses.