How to cope with feelings of being killed by diseases?

[domoarigato23]

Recently, I was evacuated from Wuhan, China where the Corona virus hit the most. I stayed there for more than 30 days inside my room isolated from the world which was one of the requirements of the university as a safety measure. I could not go out of the dormitory in no case whatsoever. This really took a huge mental tole. I developed severe anxiety and had panic attacks. I did not know that those were panic attacks at that time and i thought i was dying. I had no symptoms of the coronavirus but I seriously believed that I was dying. Although i was made sure that we were safe i would not believe it. After about 30 days, our country made arrangements to evacuate us from Wuhan. It was really hell on earth to travel back home especially because the day we had to leave, it snowed really heavy. We had to walk with our luggage for about an hour in the snow to reach the university gate. Took us around 10 hours to carry out procedures in the airport as well. But with god's grace all of us came back safety to our country. But then again we were put in 14 days quarantine in a facility created for us. Now i am back home after numerous tests from the government proving we are free from the virus but still I went to the clinic and did my own tests. Still everything was fine. I had no problems but still I feel i am not well. After finding out from the doctor and being diagnosed with panic disorder and anxiety, my pulse rate is really high. The doctor did not prescribe me with any medication for my anxiety because she said i'm still young and the medication might create an addiction. I am coping with my anxiety on my own and finding out ways to deal with it. I have headaches on the right side of my head when i feel i'm being tensed and i feel pressure in my body. I have developed gastritis and taking medication for it. I have supportive parents and they are guiding me through it. But I do not feel like myself, at around 4-5pm in the evening, i start to have very negative thoughts which i cannot control. I develop irrational thoughts which i know are stupid but at that moment i feel they might come true. Please help. I need someone to talk to about it. I feel like i cannot talk to my parents about it even though i know they are supportive.

[Mumma_h]

Hey there,I can't imagine what that feels like. My mental health is fragile anyway don't know how id react to that,too much time to think ,no good for me. It sounds like you may have some PTSD which would be TOTALLY understandable after that. If your parents are supportive I would definitely try to tell them in a way thats easy for them to understand,every parent loves to help ( well all the good ones) and it sounds like you just need some understanding and care . Don't bottle it up ,talk to your counsellor at school and your other classmates to support each other ,they may need it too and be glad you've opened up .

[Orch1d12]

My advice is let go. Let go of the fear and believe god saved you for a reason. If your meant to die it would have happened. We are all meant to die one day but why cut your time short with fear. Think what are your dreams and go live them

[Jeff1943]

It's not at all surprising that you feel the way you do, what you went through was extremely traumatic and maybe your studies had left you nervously exhausted even before the coronavirus thing.

You have done the right thing in double checking on your physical health and you must now accept the verdict of the medical professionals that all is well with you.

The way forward is this: instead of worrying, stressing and obsessing about your symptoms then you should temporarily accept them and take them in your stride and carry on with your life. Accept the symptoms utterly and do not fight them for that just causes more stress and tension.

The stomach is often the first organ to react to stress and anxiety so I am not surprised about your gastritis. Accept even that.

Your mind and body are waiting to heal themselves and recover: let them get on with it without you constantly interfering. Divide your life into lots of sleep, study and enjoying time out with your friends: keep these three things in balance. Things will improve for you, maybe not as fast as you want, but improve they will.

So be mindful that through acceptance and avoiding obsession you will recover from your ordeal completely - and in time for Summer!

[Coralrose5]

See if you can meet with a therapist to help you through healing after this trama.