Health anxiety taking over my body

[We_ka]

Hey hope your all well.

So I’ve got health and death anxiety and this virus is the perfect combo to just make me feel like crap. The last 3 days I’ve been okay and I thought I was handling my anxiety well and then it started again today. Feeling out of breath, making myself take deep breaths in because I feel like I can’t catch my breath then for a split second thinking ok could I have the virus. Even when I feel like I need to cough I try to stop myself because then I’ll think it’s the virus. It’s my birthday next week as well and this probably sounds so stupid but they’re saying next week will be the peak in the UK and it’s just made me think I will get sick and won’t make it to be 21 because of someone saying it in a song it’s stuck in my head. It’s so annoying

And the worst thing is that nobody around me gets it and I actually feel so silly saying it out loud because it sounds so dumb to people who don’t understand those kind of feelings and thoughts. It’s just a never ending cycle of feeling like anxiety is just creeping up on me and making me think such horrible things, because I’m actually quite a happy person and it brings me down.

Do any of you feel the same or have you found any way to deal with it ?? x

[Meyer_Gdmnx]

Hi I’m also from the U.K I just turned 22 in January and I suffer terribly from health anxiety I just sneezed as did my brother’s girlfriend who are both key workers but not in the nhs. And I’m freaking out that I have the virus I do every single day I don’t touch food packages for two days because of fear of getting it I’m in constant terror so believe me with all my heart I understand. All my friends think I’m being ridiculous by asking my brother to stop working at our local Tesco. Our dad just died recently so it’s our only real source of stable income. But I would be much happier if he wasn’t working. I’m also not going out at all and when I do I wear masks and gloves and my family and friends think I’m over the top. So believe me again I know how it feels. There is some positive news about the virus however and hopefully this won’t last any longer than it has too. When it comes to your breathing which I’m struggling with or was it is a very common anxiety symptom in my experience accepting it as an anxiety symptom and as hard as it is just going along normally really does help. If you ever need to talk just drop me a message

[We_ka in reply to Meyer_Gdmnx]

Hey.

I appreciate your message so much because we can relate to each other in this time. I’m really sorry about your father that must be just another horrible thing to be dealing with during this time.

I to have lost my mother when I was abit younger so I think my health anxiety comes from that as she passed just out of the blue...

I don’t think it’s ridiculous at all you just want to make sure your taking the precautions you can but you should be eating properly! don’t forget that

And your right there is some positive. Unfortunately we don’t see the positive as much as the negative. Only 2% of people are dying from this virus which means 98% will survive. That in itself is a motivation to feel stronger. But it’s difficult when it’s so in your face isn’t it. ?

Definetly. A lot of people deal with shortness of breath from anxiety and it’s hard because it makes you feel like you just can’t breathe properly. But it is all in the mind and like you said once you accept it it’ll be easier to deal with.

Hope your okay, drop me a message if you ever need too talk. X

[Xxbexx]

Hello. I feel exactly the same! I have OCD , so I have to check the need for reassurance every 10 mins, I think of symptoms and the next min I’m experiencing them, I try and meditate three times a day so I can catch that breath without looking weird infront of my kids, I’ve cried and cried when I look at them as I’m convinced the virus will kill me , I don’t sleep because of it , I won’t touch packets either, I’ve now read that they may want the 20-30 year olds to be able to leave the house as they are the healthiest group apparently, well this scared me because I turn 31 today and now I’m sat here thinking I’m a write off. There is so many people like us out there feeling and thinking the same, x

[We_ka in reply to Xxbexx]

Hey girl.

Same here , whenever I start to think about it I start getting physical symptoms.

You have to stay strong for your kids and try to use that as a motivation to feel better and to keep a positive mind.

I think as long as we know we’re doing what we’re suppose to in terms of staying home , avoiding contact and being extra hygienic that’s all we can do. In terms of mental stuff well that’s harder but we need to find our own way to deal with it I guess.

You and I will be okay for sure.

Stay strong xx

[Kcornett35]

I completely understand! I live in the United States. I won’t go to the grocery and I stay inside and have for 3 weeks. Everyday it’s more and more deaths and I’m so scared!!! I pray we all get through this!!

[We_ka in reply to Kcornett35]

The US is even worse than the UK so I can’t even imagine how much worse you must be feeling than even I am. It’s so crazy how we’re all dealing with the same emotions all around the world

[Charlie4444]

Hey guys, a lot of us are in the same boat so try to think of that as a little bit of reassurance! I’m dealing with the same thing, I live a healthy lifestyle in New Zealand, we are 2 weeks in to our isolation period now & there has been a couple of days where I have really been struggling. Today being one of those.

When I am thinking clearly I know I haven’t contracted the virus, I feel fit, healthy and symptomless. But that little anxious corner of my brain seems to take over sometimes & convince me that I am sick! Suddenly a wash of symptoms flood me & I panic! 😫 which makes it 100 times worse, I’m sure it’s the same for all of you.

Be strong guys and try to let that rational part of your mind lead the way 👍🏻 & feel free to message me at any time!

[We_ka in reply to Charlie4444]

Hey.

I think why a lot of us come on here to have a chit chat because it is looking for reassurance of other people feeling the same. Well that’s why I do it anyway 😫😂

Same here literally dealing with the same thing as you. I know I’ve taken the precautions I can and I feel okay but there’s that one little thought ok what if I get it and then boom 100 different anxieties all in one. Lol it’s so silly our minds.

Hope your okay stay safe x

[Ray8788]

We’re both in the same boat, I work at FedEx so I’m touching boxes every day for a few hours loading trucks up, I called out 3 days in a row and thankfully I’m still under my fathers insurance but I’ve been to the hospital 6-7 times in 5 days thinking my shortness of breath was real and I was thinking too much about my breathing I also have GERD which flares up when I eat fatty/spicy food & stress out, every time I’ve been to the hospital I’ve had all the workups they can possibly do in there from xrays to blood work and everything is normal vitals and all so I’m now having a video chat with a psychiatrist for my anxiety and paranoia, the psychiatrist I spoke to in the ER said anxiety is a sneaky thing it will pop up at any time and it can be even without a trigger and would wouldn’t know.

Best of luck I hope you find peace and calm with your situation

[We_ka in reply to Ray8788]

Hey, it must be so difficult for you having anxiety and still working during this time.

I think what it is especially when it’s Heath anxiety , you can have all the tests in the world and they’ll reassure you your ok for a little while but your mind is stronger so it’ll still make you feel like somethings wrong. It’s never ending.

Thank you, I hope you do as well. Stay safe