Agoraphobia and anxiety

[Vanillasweets77]

I've been out of work for 7 weeks now due to mandatory mask wearing. Can't wear them long periods of time cause my ptsd and anxiety kicks in and my chest starts to hurt I get real shaky start crying and wanna run away. I've been practicing a little everyday with the mask but it is so hard. Now that my county has made it mandatory to wear everywhere I will not he leaving my house. Sometimes I feel like I'd rather die then deal with this anymore. Group therapy and medication helps but it's just not enough. I feel alone. Im usually out going and love to be around people but now i can't. I feel useless. I barely shower. I lie in bed for hours or just do chores to try to calm my mind. I write my feelings in a journal. My mom dad aunts and uncles all live far away and barely talk to me. My sister and brother live with me my husband and 2 kids and is the only one working while I'm out for my anxiety. Im just now approved for short term disability. But it won't be enough to catch up. My daughter is getting her tonsils removed tomorrow which is more money put on our credit card. We're in so much debt and I feel like it's all my fault. I applied for disability through the state but it could be months before I know if im approved and I was already not approved before. I feel like I have no one to talk to outside of therapy. I feel like once group therapy is done I still won't be ready. Im trying to change my negative thinking and use the coping skills I've learned but sometimes it's hard in the moment to utilize them. I feel like a bad parent and wife. I feel useless. Im tired of crying everyday. Im tired if having to change medications every month. I just want to be normal but as my psychiatrist says this vivid mask wearing stuff is probably the new normal and I'd rather hide in my house then deal with anxiety from wearing a mask. I hope I get better soon or get some good news. This disability is killing me slowly.

[SeekingSamadhi]

Hello, May I ask why wearing a mask gives you anxiety? I have found that it reduces anxiety for some people not only because it is safer but because if you are shy or agoraphobic it actually is an effective way to hide yourself from the world around you. It is a protective cloak. If you find it hit, the paper surgical masks are quite light and Much easier to breathe through and wear in hot weather. Medical personnel have worn these at work for decades with absolutely no ill health effects. Do you believe the political propaganda that they aren’t healthy to wear? It’s false.

[Vanillasweets77 in reply to SeekingSamadhi]

It's causes ptsd cause I have trouble breathing in any mask. I end up reliving being strangled as a kid. Im practicing everyday and slowly wearing it longer and longer but it's really hard

[creekgirl]

Google search "hypocapnia." Though we all should be wearing masks in public, some masks restrict proper breathing too much and can create serious health issues. Some people may be more sensitive than others, and length of time wearing the mask and strenuousness of activity figure in too.