How can I be less afraid?

I'm sixteen and seem to be more afraid than I use to. Under circumstances (a recent move), it seems fairly reasonable but I want to be less afraid. I live in possibley one of the safest places in the USA- or so I thought until a recent kidnapping about eight months ago that was less than a block from my house. I was one of the kidnappings that made headlines and was on CNN for about two weeks. I got over that somewhat until New Years Eve, when somebody tried to break into my house (fortunately my dad was home and they saw him right as they broke down the door). Now I get afraid to be home alone. I'm afraid of night. Every unusual noise I hear frightens me. I hate being afraid, knowing that many of these fears are unreasonable. Are there anyways of getting rid of these fears? It's actually about the safest place ever. The girl who was kidnapped was a huge surprise to everyone. And it turns out that the door was broken down by some of my sister's friends/ aquaintences- she is just unwilling to fess up to my dad who it was. But I can't get any kind of satisfaction out of that. I feel too uncomfortable. And my dad has since gotten some heavy duty locks and is planning on getting a nice security system.

Public Comments

1. better have your dad ramp up security in your house. Take some self defense classes, too! I would be afraid, too, in your neighborhood. It sounds like it is dangerous and you are just being cautious and prudent!
2. Take up martial arts classes, make up a home security plan with your parents. Keep a weapon by your bedside. Make friends with your neighbours or people nearlby you can find haven with. All these things will make you feel more prepared for any threat and help you be less afraid.
3. You have every reason to feel fear after what you have gone through....better have some one to be with you for some more time........fear is good because it makes you more alert and sensitive to your surroundings ,...this is a defensive mechanism the mind employs to protect you from another incident....as time passes you will completely recover
4. Having gone through that experience , no wonder you are afraid. True, your past influences your present. Have faith in the Lord. Your father would have thought of the situation and have made arrangements for your safety. Retain presence of mind and be physically fit. Be brave.
5. I'm afraid of break ins too. Fortuantley I have a yappy little dog that warns off intruders or makes a good security alarm. There is no safe neighbourhood. I've lived in a pretty safe neighbourhood but we still had break ins. get a security system. make sure the doors are locked at all times. lock the screen doors too. a cop told me to do that.
6. you can try watching your neighbor hood at night. when i see my neighborhood at night, i see no one on the streets, some stray cats, and not much else, which tells me that there's nothing to be afraid of because there's no one prowling anywhere most of the time.
7. Before you go to sleep, just say a little prayer to God and ask for his protection and for his holy blanket of sleep. Someone close to me had the same problem and this was the best solution, I promise!
8. Your fears are reasonable. They stand there because of your past experience. Ask someone to accompany you when you are alone at home and put the phone close to you (so you can easily dial 911). Build positive thinking.
9. Make sure your father understands how much this has upset you. Ask him to consider installing motion sensor lights outside. As long as they don't go on you know there can't be anyone in your yard. They're really cheap and are a great deterrent as well as being a reassurance to you. If you used to be afraid for no apparent reason before you moved, you should ask your doctor if you are having symptoms of anxiety attacks.
10. feed ur dad or sm security or police number on ur emergency fast dial. Think positive n when u look in mirror tell urself dt u r afraid of no1. u know v become wot we think ourselves to be. Stay physically fit, take proper diet n rest. Do bit of stretching n kicking n try to hit a pillow wit sm stick or bat or fists. This wud make u ready 4 an unknown situation. Pray to God to give u strength. U can keep a dog n gud security alarm in ur room. Make urself strong. Dont just depend on dad. Ofcoz hez dere 4 u but self defence always pays back. u can even take sm classes 4 it. N above all Gud luck to uu may God keep u safe. Hope i prayers do wonders to ur life. Stay blessed dear. Dont panic, be bold