Terrible Anxiety

[Bear2393]

Hello, I have been having terrible anxiety since COVID started and it’s gotten worse in the last few weeks. I am going to make an appt with my therapist but thought this might help get me through while I’m waiting for my appointment. I came here because I don’t feel like my spouse understands it at all. Looking for support.

[mydogs]

Dear Bear I am exactly the same I have been shielding for the last 17 weeks because I have a lung condition and my anxiety and depression has gone through the roof I have become obsessed with COVID and terrified to go out in case someone comes near me or tries to talk to me in case I get infected.my Daughter is a nurse in a doctors surgery and I won’t let her come in until she has put her clothes in black bag and straight into shower and she only came to stay with me to help me through this and I am making her life a misery because of this fear.I spend all day in floods of tears and panic,so I sympathise with you wish it would go away so we could have at least one less thing to make us anxious please take care you are not on your own sending you a big virtual hug x

[Bear2393 in reply to mydogs]

Thanks for your reply. I work in healthcare and I am good while at work. When I get done for the day I start questioning everything I did throughout the day. Trying to protect your patients, yourself, your family it takes a tole.

I am glad you are taking the proper precautions to protect yourself. We all have to be our own advocate along with our families.

[Optimistic_22]

Hey so here’s a question are you having panic attacks are they new or worsening?

If so Check your medications you are taking. Stimulants can also make your anxiety worse coffee herbal supplements vitamins can also be stimulant and albuterol inhaler’s.

I was having shortness of breath and took the inhaler. And I ended up in emergency room due to tachycardia and palpitations. So just go through everything that you’ve been taking even if it’s not new to see if it is considered a stimulant.

Hope this helps.

So now I’ve been having the worst anxiety attacks of my whole life for like five hours to 12 hours straight. Due to the stimulants I was taking.

[Bear2393 in reply to Optimistic_22]

I’ve been having about one or so a week. I drink only one cup of coffee a day. Generally avoid alcohol because I know that just plays into my issues. I don’t take any medications besides Advil or Tylenol if needed. I’m starting to think a daily medication may be in my best interest.

[Optimistic_22]

Hey so here’s a question are you having panic attacks are they new or worsening?

If so Check your medications you are taking. Stimulants can also make your anxiety worse coffee herbal supplements vitamins can also be stimulant and albuterol inhaler’s.

I was having shortness of breath and took the inhaler. And I ended up in emergency room due to tachycardia and palpitations. So just go through everything that you’ve been taking even if it’s not new to see if it is considered a stimulant.

Hope this helps.

So now I’ve been having the worst anxiety attacks of my whole life for like five hours to 12 hours straight. Due to the stimulants I was taking.

[mydogs in reply to Optimistic_22]

I have been suffering from anxiety and depression for over 20 years but cannot take medication because of having closed angle glaucoma I have recently started adding my ventolin inhaler when feeling breathless and now wonder has this made me feel tight chest and breathless even though they are supposed to ease symptoms thank you for your response xx

[blackcat64013 in reply to Optimistic_22]

Thanks for the timely reminder. 🙂 When our mental health drags us down we often reach for the pick me ups, in my case coffee first. I have been told to cut down to 2-3 cups a day from 4-6 minimum 🤔

[missycrn]

I’m with you! I have a terrible fear that has led to anxiety and depression and insomnia. I’m not handling it well at all.

[Golden777]

Completely Understandable. There are about 8 people in my family, three are taking precaution(I'm one of those), the other five are arguing about how crazy we are being about it. Thats me and my two sisters vs dad, stepmom, sis, and two bros. Not to mention the 14 grandchildren we have to protect. We are having so much ups and downs, breakdowns and healthscares during this time. We also just got 4 cases in our small town. I've realized that all my negative thoughts aren't helping me, they're just leading to more unnecessary negative thoughts. So when any negative thoughts aren't be helpful to you, stop them immediately. And if you're taking all the right precautions to defend yourself and your family, that's good enough, just take in the good moments.

[Sunnidayz1]

What you are going through is a normal response to COVID. It's completely understandable. Im not sure why your spouse doesnt understand. Maybe he's not in tune with his feelings? IDK🤷‍♀️ But it's normal.

I have a background in Neuroscience so the main reason why people are feeling depressed and anxious during this time is bc the situation makes underlying issues worse and bc as human beings we need to feel in control of our lives. The brain loves certainty and without our normal routines we get scared and worried. "We have no control over our lives" the brain gets threatened by it and gets scared. It's a normal response to threat.

What I suggest is to first of all understand, truly understand that it's normal. That will help calm you. Nothing is wrong with you.

2. Focus on self care more. When we take care of ourselves and nuture ourselves the brain rewards us with feel good hormones making us feel good, resulting in good thoughts.

3. Everyday list your agenda for the day. And as the day goes check off accomplished tasks. That will make u feel more in control of your life bc you will have control.

These 3 points will make a huge diference in how u feel. Keep in touch & lmk how u r feeling...oh and.one more thing....adding meditation & exercise to your daily routine doesnt hurt either!

Sunni❤🙏☀️

[Jeff1943]

Bear2393, threats to our well being are all around us. Fortunately they are very small threats because the chances of actually harming us are statistically very, very minor.

The same is true of the Covid19. Unless you have some major ongoing illness, the chances of being killed if you are under 65 are extremely small. And if you do catch it it will most likely be no more severe than a head cold.

Above 65 years of age the chances of becoming seriously ill with Covid19 start to rise but are still statistically remote.

So why are you reacting to this small risk in such an exaggerated form? It's not the fault of the Covid19, I suggest, it's the fault of your anxiety disorder. When our nervous system becomes over sensitised through high anxiety it magnifies the way we respond to small threats. We exaggerate them ten fold in our minds and always makes us believe we're heading for the worst case scenario.

And that's why the level of your anxiety is out of all proportion to the size of the threat.

So wear a mask when visiting inside public areas. Wash your hands with soap and hot water frequently during the day. Apply antiseptic hand lotion in between hand washings. And keep as far away as you can from people not in your household.

Basically, there's absolutely no reason for you to live in constant fear and anxiety of something there's little chance you will catch.

Just keep to the rules and get on with your life.

[Bear2393 in reply to Jeff1943]

You are absolutely correct that I am potentially overreacting to COVID. Unfortunately when you work in healthcare you hear a lot about it. It’s not just the COVID that’s bothering me but that’s been the biggest thing that has me anxious. It’s rough and I continue to work through it.

[Slim1201]

Hello

[Slim1201]

I'm going thru the same thing