why am i scared of being stabbed or kidnapped when i lay down to go to bed?

[musiclife123]

Ok, so quite often i am terrified when i go to sleep. I'm not scared to die, i havent had any bad life experences that would lead me to be scared. But for the longest time now, ill be laying in bed perfectly fine trying to fall asleep when a huge wave of fear overcomes me and i start to get paranoid that I'm gonna get stabbed or someones gonna come into my room and kidnap me. i dont watch scary movies and i dont really have nightmares. I always feel the need to be covered with a blanket, i even sleep with comforters in the summer and boil. It's really messing up my sleep habits and I don't know what could be causing it. any help?

[stressed2Dmax]

This happened to me throughout my life, different thoughts at different times. Some would stick with me for years and I lived in misery. I finally had it clarified with my therapist. It’s obsessive thoughts that don't mean anything. This is how it works; we have a thought (any random thought) which scares us. This makes us think about it more and the more we think the more we are scared. We then misinterpret the fear for "well it must be true". It's not true! It's just a thought and we have control of our thoughts. Next time you get the thought, laugh it off. Sounds easy, but it can get difficult. Some people's brains just won't shut down, constantly firing negative thoughts. That is my problem as well. Meds help but they are not for everyone. Talking to someone is a big help as well. Hope this helps.

ps here is an example:
A father is in the kitchen making food for his kids. Suddenly he has a thought that he wants to kill them all. This scares him to death as he loves his children, he would never do that. But the fear lingers and he assumes it's true and fears doing something wrong. He starts to avoid his children but keeps obsessing over his thought. Finally he calls the police and admits to his thoughts. Big mess, until the therapist and psychologists got involved and identified it for what it is.

Someone told me about this guy, how terrible. We can't let our thoughts run our life!

[Merciey]

I was the same way but after seeing a psychiatrist and taking meds - my fears have basically vanished. I was on the verge of paranoia but not any more. My advice - a fear filled life is not worth the angst - I'd see a good psychiatrist and get on the right meds.

[musiclife123]

thank you guys