Anxiety out of control

[Mathersm]

I'm new to this site and was just hoping to hear from people who have similar issues with anxiety and panic attacks as my family don't really understand and think I should just be able to snap out of it. The past week I've been feeling so anxious due to fear of catching corona virus or one of my family getting it, I'm having trouble breathing, my heart keeps pounding, my chest hurts and I feel so weak. I know I should be focusing on other things but I can't push this fear away, so scary 😢

[Mary-intussuception]

Hi

& Welcome Mathersm

Sorry this is such an extra scary time for you.

Are you able to switch the TV off and find a quiet place to sit?

Get warm and comfy and take some slow, deep breaths. Concentrate on your breathing,

Breathe IN for a count of 2, hold for 2 then OUT for 2.

Increase to 3 then a count of 4 if comfortable with this.

Get a drink of cold water and sip slowly till all gone.

Try and get into the habit of a glass /cup or two first thing in the morning then a glass before every meal.

Another exercise is - lay on top of your bed and stretch. Stretch every part of your body and relax. Repeat several times.

Write a list of things to do and make a decision to stick to the times. Make 3 set times a day to do the breathing exercises plus anytime you feel the symptoms returning.

If you can't get these symptoms under control soon, may I suggest that you phone your GP? It might be a while before they call back. But I would make sure you describe all your symptoms to the receptionist - just as you have on here.

Sorry that your family don't understand.

Saying someone should just be able to snap out of it is so unkind. Bet they wouldn't say that if they had a broken leg !

Keep posting and talking things through whenever you need to.

Let's know how you are.

God Bless x

[Mathersm in reply to Mary-intussuception]

Thankyou so much for replying and your kind, helpful advice, I will definitely use your tips. Controlled breathing definitely helps me so will try and set times to do this. I will keep posting and try to keep positive, I just can't wait for this all to be over and get back to normal, I will appreciate things so much more.

[Mary-intussuception in reply to Mathersm]

❤

xXx

[Littleone88]

Iv been the same, completely on edge and anxious all the time every night I’m having to do breathing exercises to get to sleep. Which is actually helping. But any kind of pain or whatever ii feel ii panic and then can’t breathe: hate it. Can’t wait for this to be over .

Stay in wash ur hands. And hopefully we will all be ok. X

[Mathersm in reply to Littleone88]

This sounds exactly like me, I was so scared to go to sleep the other night because my breathing was so bad I was scared I wouldn't wake up again. It's nice to know I'm not the only one feeling like this, I was starting to feel like I was losing it xx

[Littleone88 in reply to Mathersm]

Yeah ii was the same not last night the night before , my breathing was very slow and deep, felt like ii has to force myself to sleep was awful. So ii put some breathing exercises on and luckily fell asleep doing them cos ii was so tired.

Anxiety is the worst! My dr prescribed me some meds to take whilst on lockdown: but I’m to scared to even take them incase they give me dodgy side effects can’t win xx

[Mary-intussuception in reply to Littleone88]

God Bless x

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[Mathersm in reply to Littleone88]

I take antidepressants which I have since I was 16 and they do help, you can get some side effects at first but mostly just fatigue, maybe meds will help but no good if you think they're going to make you more anxious. Take care and keep up with your breathing exercises, that's what I'm going to do xx

[T1nkerBell in reply to Littleone88]

I'm the same way about meds. Anything new makes me afraid I'll have a panic attack, and I can't wait 6-8 weeks to see if the drug will work, and doesn't have horrible side effects.

[Mathersm in reply to T1nkerBell]

I understand completely the fear of new meds, I've just had a horrible sinus infection and was given medicine that I'd never had before and reading through the possible side effects made me really panic, spent the first 2 days in a constant panic worrying if I was going to be OK. I never used to be like this, don't know what's happened

[Alliekaatt in reply to Mathersm]

I thought I was the only one who thought about “what if I don’t wake up “ when I have anxiety and try to sleep..!

[Hidden]

Mathersm

Are you in Lock down ?, if you are and not going out, should be ok. Some people are still working or going shopping every so often, as long as you follow the rules set you should be ok. Remember you are also allowed to go out for a walk, again follow the rules set down you should be ok

Remember yes we MAY get the virus, however if you do still the number of patients who die is still quite low so I would try and put things to the back of your mind

Remember wash your hands with soap, not to touch your face, keep away 2m away from people. If you are in Lock down, look for hobbies and diversions to occupy your mind, If you have a garden, go outside and either sit out or go gardening. If you like walking or running you are allowed to be away from your home. If you have a bike go out on the road for a cycle, remembering not to go to far from your home. If you have a dog, or family members go out for a walk, however only be out with family living in the same address

Every week check the car if you have not driven it, run the car for fifteen, twenty mins to charge the battery, Loosen the handbreak and drive the car backwards and forwards to loosen the breaks and handreak

BOB

[Mathersm in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou for your reply, you're right I do need to focus on other things and I was going out for walks but haven't been able to for the last week as I've been ill with a sinus infection and sore chest which the Dr over the phone said was probably corona which has made my anxiety so much worse as I don't know for sure if it is or just part of my sinus infection. I was told to stay at home and isolate as a precaution for 14 days so when that's over and I feel stronger I will get back to a daily walk as it definitely helps my mental health xx

[Hidden in reply to Mathersm]

Good luck with you sinus, hope all clears up soon and you will be back going for walks soon. Do you feel there are various things to divert your thoughts to positive things in your home, Sometimes hobbies can help as well. Do you have any hobbies.

I come on here, work in the Garden and also take the dog out for a walk. My Wife takes Him out in the morning. Later in the afternoon I take him out for another walk.

We would normally go out together to walk the dog, Sad to say if I went out with my Wife the dog would only get one walk

BOB

[Alliekaatt]

Most people don’t understand that it’s not something you can just turn off.

Coronavirus has been a trigger for me too. I have mostly been able to control my anxiety over the last year or so but with all this going on I’ve been breaking down with that same fear.

Research some coping methods and try everything until you find something that eases it. I think distraction helps a lot. Wish I knew the answers, but you are not alone ! ❤️

[Mathersm in reply to Alliekaatt]

Thankyou for your reply, it's so nice to know I'm not alone. I have been trying to distract myself today and it definitely helps. I wish you could just turn the worry off xx

[Hidden in reply to Alliekaatt]

The problem is you keep thinking of this virus the more Anxiety you are going to suffer.

We are in lock down and I am lucky, with Wife and dog, we also have a garden and orchard and this time of year everything needs to be done in double quick time. I have pruned most of my fruit trees although it is hard work to prepare them for pollination

However it diverts our thoughts, we had managed to get composts etc delivered because the Garden Centre was doing delivery only. Consider what you can do to keep yourself active, it is all down to divert those negative thoughts

BOB

[Mathersm]

Thankyou for your message Bob, I'm glad you've got lots to keep you distracted, I have too as I'm here with my husband and 3 children who keep me busy but somehow still have time to worry but I am going to keep pushing it to the back of my mind and do fun things with the children, it is good we can get out in the garden in the sunshine too.

Rachel

[vanessi]

I’m sorry to hear that. I’m feeling the same, I have lots of anxiety and panic attacks too due the quarantine. I don’t know what to do! I live alone and it is really stressing me out! What do you do to try to deal with it ??

[Mathersm in reply to vanessi]

Hi Vanessa,

Sorry to hear that you're struggling too, it seems to be affecting so many of us. I'm so glad I've joined this group, people have been so lovely and made me feel that I'm not alone and that there are ways to cope, I think it's so nice we can talk and support each other.

The best ways I've found to deal with it is to practice breathing exercises, doing yoga and anything that you can just take your mind off of worrying, such as watching a film, talking to people (video chat if you're alone), getting out in the garden, anything that makes you feel abit happier. If you look back at other replies to my post there have been some brilliant tips that I'll definitely be trying myself xx

[SunnyDay13 in reply to vanessi]

I stopped reading social media and listening to the news two weeks ago. I close pop ups and anything that appears on my computer and phone. This has had a big effect on my wellbeing. I was having non-stop panic. I’m an anxious person as it is, but this was debilitating. I recommend avoiding the news and media as much as you can.

[Mathersm in reply to SunnyDay13]

I am definitely going to try and stop looking/ listening to media as it is making me more and more anxious. It's a shame they rarely show people who have recovered to at least give people abit of hope, it's just all doom and gloom

[vanessi]

Thank you

[kvolm2016]

Just wanted to add my welcome! Looks like you have discovered that LOTS of us can relate to the coronavirus anxiety! Glad to read that you are familiar with several coping strategies to be using during this time. I'm finding that I also need to limit what I am reading, watching, listening to so that I am not constantly filling my mind with all the coronavirus conversation that seems to be constantly happening everywhere! It is definitely difficult but not impossible. Would this help you too?

[Mathersm in reply to kvolm2016]

Thanks for your support. I agree that seeing about the corona virus everywhere you look is just suffocating, I am trying not to watch or read too much about it but is difficult when it's always on TV and popping up on your phone.

[kvolm2016 in reply to Mathersm]

Definitely agree about the phone

Do you feel like you have pretty good self-control with viewing content on your phone or is that a challenge for you?