Does anyone else’s brain run vivid, protective simulations of danger to keep you safe?
I wanted to share something my brain does and see if anyone else experiences anything similar.
Whenever I am in a state of high distress or dark thoughts, my brain suddenly plays a vivid, full-length visual simulation of the worst-case scenario and the reality of death. It is so intense that it completely stops me in my tracks. It feels like an aggressive survival instinct kicking in to protect me from harm.
Even when my mind isn't occupied with work or a task—like when I'm just walking down the street—my brain does something similar. It looks back at the physical steps I just took and simulates a scenario where if I had stepped slightly differently, I would have been seriously hurt or killed. Then it shows me that the actual step I took was the right, safe one.
It feels like my brain is constantly running background simulations of danger just to force me to stay safe and protect me.
Does anyone else experience these kinds of vivid, protective mental simulations or visualizations? Is this a common way for the mind's survival mechanism to work?