To ask if Anxiety is an acceptable excuse for not wearing a mask?

[balihai550]

Just this...I had a mild panic attack in M&S today because for some reason masks make me feel closed in and like I can't breathe.

So I took it off and then had to explain to three people why I couldn't wear it. Anxiety in their view wasn't a good enough reason.

I often try to get online shops but atm all the ocado, Sainsbury's and Waitrose slots in my area are gone, so have to venture out.

Is not wearing a mask because of Anxiety and panic attacks unreasonable?

@covidaintacrime whatever. you're just determined to pick.
She is within legal right to not wear a mask if she has a reasonable excuse. Based upon the limited info supplied in her OP I said YABU. Should try other thinga first before giving up on mask. Obviously OP may have done some or all already. But her op doesn't say so....

I initially had panic attacks regarding mask wearing at the beginning, due to something i witnessed as a child.
Anything that obstructs my air is horrendous (i even panic if my duvet is too close to my nose at night) however, i wore mine initially around the house for a short amount of time initially, like a minute.. and gradually increased the amount. I can now wear for 6 hour shifts at work. It takes time, but also try different masks, i finally found some linen ones which made such a difference.

Yanbu to not wear a mask.
It doesn’t matter what the bitches on here think so don’t pay any attention to them.
The guidance is very clear - if wearing a mask would cause you severe distress you don’t have to wear one and you are exempt.
And no one has the right to ask why you are exempt either.
If you can wear one do, if you can’t don’t.
It’s very simple.

From the lack of compassion and empathy shown on this thread, I can only assume that some posters have led a charmed life. I hope that when they're hit with PND, or the gnawing anxiety of perimenopause, or reeling from a trauma that they encounter more kindness than they've shown here.

whatever. you're just determined to pick.
She is within legal right to not wear a mask if she has a reasonable excuse. Based upon the limited info supplied in her OP I said YABU. Should try other thinga first before giving up on mask. Obviously OP may have done some or all already. But her op doesn't say so....

Determined to pick? What does that mean?
You're correct she has a legal right if she has a reasonable excuse. Which she does.

It depends whose anxiety you deem greater, yours or all the people around you and serving you?

So many on here demanding that others sacrifice themselves for the greater good while at the same time making it quite clear that its not reciprocated and that they don't give one shiny shite about you.
People have been demanding these endless sacrifices since this pandemic broke out.

Op, I have a condition which is connected to my nervous system. I will get nervous and anxious 20 times faster (according to consultant) than someone without my condition. I am mask exempt but I wear one anyway. The more I have worn it the more used to it I have be become. I even managed 8.5 hours straight sitting in A and E with one on.

My advice, rather than stressing about having to wear one is wear one every day for a little bit longer in the comfort of your own home. Then when you do go out keep your mind on what your shopping for and forget about it. It does get easier.

I feel hugely anxious when I see someone without a mask and I’m sure I’m not the only one. I use the tube for work and if someone sits near me without a mask I get really panicked. But I get on with it because I have to go to work, I have no choice. As PP have suggested, you may need to try wearing one at home until you’re used to it or consider online shopping.

Sorry that some people have been such arseholes OP. I didn’t really understand anxiety until I developed it suddenly over a specific issue and it was horrifying.

Just a quick suggestion - are you wearing a fabric mask? I too felt really claustrophobic in them which made me breathe faster and feel panicky. Now I use the paper surgical masks (also because they don’t fog up my glasses!) and haven’t had any issues since.

@Speedyspunker I am sat on my sofa applauding your post. Thank you.

Anxiety and slight panic - No not an acceptable reason

Actual panic attacks consistently brought on by masks - Yes

*balihai550:

Is not wearing a mask because of Anxiety and panic attacks unreasonable?

@ElizaLaLa:
Yes, it's unreasonable imo.

What do you think surgeons with anxiety do?
Wtf? Surgeons with anxiety? Please don't let them near me.

YABU. I do feel for you, but anxiety doesn’t trump someone’s else’s right to be as safe as possible from serious illness whilst in their place of work.

@VashtaNerada what about the people who can't wear them that have to go to work?

@Calmandmeasured1

*balihai550:

Is not wearing a mask because of Anxiety and panic attacks unreasonable?

@ElizaLaLa:
Yes, it's unreasonable imo.

What do you think surgeons with anxiety do?
Wtf? Surgeons with anxiety? Please don't let them near me.

Speedyspunker, compassion and empathy should go both ways

@Chimboo I'm just so fed up of seeing this kind of attitude. A close friend who suffered a violent assault can't tolerate a mask and was told on another forum to get over her sense of entitlement and to stop playing the victim.

I think the anxiety is the one you can work on.

I have felt panicky had to leave shop for air but it gets easier. You were having a panic attack but able to continue shopping. I would have left thecstore eegroupped and gone back in....

Reality us an oxgen mask you can't remove for a break.. in the current pandemic you need to work on it

My ds has asd so except but we have done this in the same situation

@Macncheeseballs I actually agree and I think pandemic panic is perhaps dulling our natural kindness to some extent. Maybe survival instinct kicks in and compassion and empathy fly out of the window.

I see a lot of posts on Mumsnet talking about getting pulled up for not wearing a mask or for having taken it off briefly. I have never had a mask on my face and no one has ever even looked at me askance. I go in and out of a variety of shops as normal. Fortunately it doesn't make me anxious. Not once has anyone said something to me. Well apart from your usual chit chat and pleasantries.

Sorry you're in a pickle as you'll be feeling panicked with the mask on and then panicked taking it off.

@SnackSizeRaisin

Can't you get a tesco or Asda slot either? I think you should wear a mask or not go shopping. M and s is hardly essentials .
It's a food hall. It is just as a smaller version of a supermarket. They sell bread, butter, milk, baked beans, meat, veg and fruit, just like bigger supermarkets. If the food in M &S isn't "essentials" then it isn't in other supermarkets either. The OP can buy their food where they want.

I have really bad anxiety and panic attacks. I am also a nurse. When I first started having to wear masks it would freak me out but I got through it and now wear them 14 hours a day.
As someone who has seen people die day in and day out for the last 10 months please wear a mask.

@ElizaLaLa

Is not wearing a mask because of Anxiety and panic attacks unreasonable?

Yes, it's unreasonable imo.

What do you think surgeons with anxiety do?

Stop being surgeons?

I have anxiety but wear my mask 8 hrs a day, it's not nice and I often go to the loo just so I can't take it off but I pull myself together and get back to it and just keep telling myself I'm doing it to protect others and not to be selfish so YABU

So because I have trigeminal neuralgia I must only have online shopping? I physically cant wear a mask, its agonising. If u look at me, you would think theres nothing wrong with me. I keep my distance, in and out. Majority of people I have seen that dont keep their distance are wearing masks or not wearing them properly.