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Amanda Foster — Reviewed writer, former magazine editor

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How to Handle Overcome a Fear of Being Kidnapped Step by Step

When overcome a fear of being kidnapped leaves you confused, worried, or unsure what it means, a clear step-by-step approach can help you sort the signal from the stress. This guide explains how to understand the situation, reflect on what matters, choose a practical next step, and know when to ask for trusted support.

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Part 1

Kidnapping Statistics and Facts

Only 1 in 300,000 children are ever kidnapped.

You are 100 times more likely to be struck by lightning. Would a mentally healthy person live in constant fear of a lightning strike? Of course not. Similarly, you don't have to worry a lot about kidnapping.

You are 100 times more likely to be struck by lightning.
Would a mentally healthy person live in constant fear of a lightning strike?
Of course not.
Similarly, you don't have to worry a lot about kidnapping.
You are 100 times more likely to be struck by lightning.

Not everything you read online is true.

Chain mails and hoaxes can proliferate on the internet.

Chain mails and hoaxes can proliferate on the internet.
Chain mails and hoaxes can proliferate on the internet.
Chain mails and hoaxes can proliferate on the internet.
Chain mails and hoaxes can proliferate on the internet.
Chain mails and hoaxes can proliferate on the internet.

Part 2

Making a Safety Plan

Decide whether preparations would improve or worsen your anxiety.

Some people feel better when they're prepared, because then they feel like they don't have to worry so much. Other people feel worse, because preparations just make them think more about what they're afraid of.

Some people feel better when they're prepared, because then they feel like they don't have to worry so much.
Other people feel worse, because preparations just make them think more about what they're afraid of.
Some people feel better when they're prepared, because then they feel like they don't have to worry so much.
Other people feel worse, because preparations just make them think more about what they're afraid of.
Some people feel better when they're prepared, because then they feel like they don't have to worry so much.

Practice a little extra safety, if it helps.

Some people are more safety-conscious than others are. If taking extra safety measures helps you feel better, there are things you can do.

Some people are more safety-conscious than others are.
If taking extra safety measures helps you feel better, there are things you can do.
Some people are more safety-conscious than others are.
If taking extra safety measures helps you feel better, there are things you can do.
Some people are more safety-conscious than others are.

Let a trusted loved one track your phone.

If it helps you feel safer, you can install a tracking app that helps someone locate your phone. This way, they always know where to find you.

If it helps you feel safer, you can install a tracking app that helps someone locate your phone.
This way, they always know where to find you.
If it helps you feel safer, you can install a tracking app that helps someone locate your phone.
This way, they always know where to find you.
If it helps you feel safer, you can install a tracking app that helps someone locate your phone.

Know how to identify "tricky people."

Stranger danger is an outdated concept, since most strangers are good people, and some strangers will actually help you if you're in trouble. Here are some ways you can identify a tricky person:

Stranger danger is an outdated concept, since most strangers are good people, and some strangers will actually help you if you're in trouble.
Here are some ways you can identify a tricky person:
Stranger danger is an outdated concept, since most strangers are good people, and some strangers will actually help you if you're in trouble.
Here are some ways you can identify a tricky person:
Stranger danger is an outdated concept, since most strangers are good people, and some strangers will actually help you if you're in trouble.

Know how you can protect yourself if a creep is bothering you.

Having a general idea of what to do means that you don't need to mentally rehearse it anymore. Here are things you can do if a tricky person is talking to you.

Having a general idea of what to do means that you don't need to mentally rehearse it anymore.
Here are things you can do if a tricky person is talking to you.
Having a general idea of what to do means that you don't need to mentally rehearse it anymore.
Here are things you can do if a tricky person is talking to you.
Having a general idea of what to do means that you don't need to mentally rehearse it anymore.

Learn some self-defense moves.

You can sign up for self-defense lessons, or watch tutorial videos online. Know you can fight dirty, like a wild animal. It may be comforting to know that if someone ever tried to hurt you, there's a good chance you're scarier than them.

You can sign up for self-defense lessons, or watch tutorial videos online.
Know you can fight dirty, like a wild animal.
It may be comforting to know that if someone ever tried to hurt you, there's a good chance you're scarier than them.
You can sign up for self-defense lessons, or watch tutorial videos online.
Know you can fight dirty, like a wild animal.

Part 3

How to Calm Yourself

Talk to a good listener about your fear.

Fears are easier to fight when you have support from people who love you. [v162135_b011]. 27 September 2022.

Fears are easier to fight when you have support from people who love you.
[v162135_b011].
27 September 2022.
Fears are easier to fight when you have support from people who love you.
[v162135_b011].

Turn off the news.

If you have trouble with anxiety, avoid watching or reading the news when it's just going to make it worse. Work on staying away from the news. Praise or reward yourself when you successfully avoid the urge to check the news.

If you have trouble with anxiety, avoid watching or reading the news when it's just going to make it worse.
Work on staying away from the news.
Praise or reward yourself when you successfully avoid the urge to check the news.
If you have trouble with anxiety, avoid watching or reading the news when it's just going to make it worse.
Work on staying away from the news.

Take baby steps.

You don't have to immediately throw yourself into a dark alley to prove that you've conquered your fear. Instead, work on little ways to be more independent, and take it one step at a time.

You don't have to immediately throw yourself into a dark alley to prove that you've conquered your fear.
Instead, work on little ways to be more independent, and take it one step at a time.
You don't have to immediately throw yourself into a dark alley to prove that you've conquered your fear.
Instead, work on little ways to be more independent, and take it one step at a time.
You don't have to immediately throw yourself into a dark alley to prove that you've conquered your fear.

Part 4

When to Get Help

Consider potential disorders that could cause a severe fear of kidnapping.

Kidnapping fears may be related to an anxiety disorder, or a different type of disorder. Try reading about a few mental disorders, in case one of them sounds familiar.

Kidnapping fears may be related to an anxiety disorder, or a different type of disorder.
Try reading about a few mental disorders, in case one of them sounds familiar.
Kidnapping fears may be related to an anxiety disorder, or a different type of disorder.
Try reading about a few mental disorders, in case one of them sounds familiar.
Kidnapping fears may be related to an anxiety disorder, or a different type of disorder.

Talk to a doctor.

A doctor can assess whether your fear is strong enough to be considered a disorder, and possibly prescribe anti-anxiety medication. They can also screen you for other disorders, if needed, or refer you to a specialist who can.

A doctor can assess whether your fear is strong enough to be considered a disorder, and possibly prescribe anti-anxiety medication.
They can also screen you for other disorders, if needed, or refer you to a specialist who can.
A doctor can assess whether your fear is strong enough to be considered a disorder, and possibly prescribe anti-anxiety medication.
They can also screen you for other disorders, if needed, or refer you to a specialist who can.
A doctor can assess whether your fear is strong enough to be considered a disorder, and possibly prescribe anti-anxiety medication.

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References

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