Face mask causing me to panic

[alicequartz]

Im feeling very anxious at the moment as I can't wear a face mask.

Every time I put one on I feel like I can't breathe and get really scared.

It's all because of something that happened to me when I was a child and I almost suffocated.

I've tried different styles and fabrics but as soon as my nose and mouth are covered I can't breathe.

Does anyone have any suggestions of what I can do? I need to go shopping and eventually back to work. It's causing me so many problems.

Just don’t wear one.

You will get used to it. Think of it like breaking in a new pair of shoes. Wear it for short periods around the house and eventually you can build up to a longer period for shopping. Don’t listen to cunty suggestions like ‘just don’t wear one’. It really is not a big deal to wear one.

Have you tried a visor?

I'm like this and then when I went back to work had to wear one all day long. I was crying and gasping for breath within 15 minutes.

Work got me the paper masks and they were much easier and lighter to wear to the point that after about 6 weeks I sat down to have a cup of tea and forgot I was wearing it.

I still can't wear the cotton masks for very long but see if you can try a paper mask.

There are several threads about this with useful suggestions in the Coronavirus section- have you had a look there?

There have been a few similar threads recently so you might be able to find ideas from how other people are managing.

Here's one from yesterday:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/feeling_depressed/3971549-Face-covering-causing-traumatic-memories-TW-assault

Firstly about the traumatic memories, how horrible. I believe this makes you exempt anyway, if necessary.

Have you considered getting help for that memory? That seems like it could help as it is horrible to have it stuck there, whether you wear a mask due to covid or not.

The thin surgical disposable face masks are the only ones I can wear, the rest make me
Panic.
But I’m fairly sure you’d be exempt from
Wearing a mask if you have this awful level of anxiety and a resurgence of childhood trauma. Speak to your GP

Thank you. I will look at the other threads also.

I would prefer to be able to wear a face mask/ covering as I don't want to constantly explain to people why I can't.

A visor is a good suggestion. Search eBay for visor face shield and loads come up reasonable price, free postage 3-5 days. The ones I got for myself and my autistic child are really comfortable. I can wear a mask and I have been in supermarkets since lockdown began but since trying the visor it's so much better you can talk clearly so it doesn't sound muffled, you can breathe fine etc and it doesn't move up and down on your face so you don't need to readjust it or tempt to fiddle with it.

I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks. Plus I lost my hearing after Christmas and my follow up with the ENT was the Friday before kick down - when he pretty much just abandoned me saying I needed hearing aids, find an audiologist to help you. No more information. Really added to my anxiety levels and not seeing mouths made is hard.

Practice. Try different masks. Practice slow breathing in through mid, out through mouth.

It may feel as though the mask t Esso tricks oxygen but it does not. It’s your mind playing tricks. You need to keep telling yourself that when you start to panic and then concentrate in through nose, slow out through mouth. In your head, say it as a mantra. In through now nose, slow out through mouth.

I personally found a mask that was more shaped around the nose felt better for me than straight on the top. I wear these shopping.

I have had to go for various medical appointments and I wear surgical masks to those. Not so fond of the bendy part on the nose as it feels restrictive so I find I need to use the mantra more. I needed a few minutes just to calm down at my first physio appointment.

Practice wearing masks in your home and do walk around as your breathing rate is different walking around.

You can do it. Find your own mantra if this one doesn’t work. Remember, the masks don’t block your oxygen, it’s your mind telling you that. Sooth your mind.

I witnessed a woman and her child being verbally harassed in the supermarket by an older masked couple. It was disgraceful. People should NOT have to explain why they aren’t wearing masks

I’m not putting one on my five year old either as she constantly touches her face and it’s a greater health risk.

gosh I found your post disgusting. Clearly you have never suffered a panic attack. Leave the OP alone. Your ilk make me sick.

The evidence for these cloth masks is sketchy at best.

I had quite a thick cotton one as my first mask and I didn't realise quite how horrible it was until I tried others. I did get used to the cotton one, but I'd imagine for anyone with sensory issues it would have been a nightmare. I now have some lighter cotton ones and some disposable ones and they're so much better.

My issue with the disposable ones is the plastic waste.

OP, Google neck fan! It's a portable fan that goes round your neck, and you can aim it at your face, which may help when out and about