Scared to leave the house

[Cherryrainbow]

I've been diagnosed with post natal anxiety and honestly I feel so drained and sick of feeling terrified of getting covid, I already have anxieties about illness and dying. Its got to the point where I cant bring myself to leave the house, I've had panic attacks over it. The thought of leaving my house with my baby to take my 7 year old to school after half term literally makes me feel ill. I dont know how to cope. I've been given medication to help deal with the physical side of things but I just can't relax or stop my mind racing, I can't stop the fear of going out. Has anyone else felt like this or found ways of coping? X

[DownWhichOfLate]

What’s your journey to school like? Is it by car or by foot? You need some grounding techniques to keep your panic at bay.

[Cherryrainbow]

Its a short car journey. Then I would have to walk up to the main gate with son and wait in a queue for the teacher to collect the class.

[Begonias]

@Cherryrainbow I'm currently going through similar anxieties as you. I was on the extremely clinically vulnerable list and remained indoors only going out for a walk once a week. I'm still being careful but i have to do the school run.
I work myself up and get panic attacks whilst driving to school and walking into the playground. I have to remind myself that nothing will happen and concentrate on my breathing. I'm getting counselling for my anxiety and I take beta blockers to help with the palpatations.
What helps me is writing down how I feel when I'm having an attack,what the triggers are, what happened as result of the attack. this is to remind me that nothing bad happened. I know come Monday it will be awful doing the school run, but Tuesday it will become slightly less awful. It doesn't help that I'm a natural worrier and with covid I find I'm constantly anxious about my health.

[Cherryrainbow]

Thanks for your reply hun. I've been put on beta blockers too. Thanks for sharing your experience I was feeling like I was the only one with these fears and experience. I think apart from the school run I won't otherwise be leaving the house unless going to drs so... hopefully will be safe :( I just need to build myself up to this x

[Believehope]

The beta blockers will help a lot. Make sure you are busying yourself and chatting with your 7 year old. It will keep your brain busy so it doesn't have time to panic. Child-friendly music (times tables songs?) in the car. Headphones ready with a story/podcast for when you have dropped off.

The secret is not to let yourself fall down the rabbit hole of panic, keep busy to keep it at bay.

[theotherfossilsister]

I'm reading a book about anxiety by Chloe Brotheridge, and it's really helping me understand why we feel so threatened and things. I'm still struggling with horrible acrophobia though.

[DownWhichOfLate]

You could try being really enthusiastic with your 7 year old and try to trick yourself in to believing you are excited to be out and about. Grounding techniques are things like: think of 5 things you can hear right now - make it in to a competition with your child, so both listen very carefully and you might hear a bird or a siren in the distance etc. It’ll hopefully distract you enough. Make sure you get fresh air every day - pram walk with your baby.

[Sandytoes86]

I agree with the above poster about being really enthusiastic with your child , this works for me. I also find if I go a little bit late to school (but only by 5-10 mins) it’s a little bit calmer and easier to distance . I understand how hard it is OP, I really feel for you xxx

[Alexasettimer]

Have you spoken to your health visitor.
I was diagnosed with post natal anxiety back in March when my baby was 5 weeks old.
I felt exactly the same way you do.
I was petrified to even go for a daily walk (which was all that was allowed back then)

I had high intensity CBT and it’s really helped.
I’m still anxious but I have found ways to deal with it and put things into perspective.

Have a chat with your midwife/HV and ask for a referral.