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?

I haven’t read the full thread (so long!) but I get the gist. Sorry if this has already been said, but I strongly recommend that anyone who has never experienced anxiety reads just the first few chapters of Notes on a Nervous Planet by Matt Haig. It explains anxiety very well. Maybe read it and try to have some compassion.

I struggle in a mask if I have to wear it for more than 5 mins, so I try to organise things so I never have to have it on for longer than that. That’s all I can suggest OP.

It's a difficult situation on both sides but we can't prioritise accommodating disabilities over preventing someone dying. Try a face shield if you can or shop online for the next few months.

Sorry posted to soon
Meant to say mask wearing reduces risk , but doesn't mean its then ok to stand on top of someone
Lots of things we can do to reduce risk and we should do as many as possible , but to say someone who really can't wear a mask should never go out , I find unbelievable what if they need urgent food .
Of course we should all wear a mask if we can , but also maybe all be going out the minimum we can so as to help protect , its not one measure only , its all doing all we can do to help , which maybe different for each if us .

Reading this thread is awful! Exemption to wear masks is self certified anyway, but people saying because they have anxiety and do it why can't the OP. Are people so short sighted that they don't realise anxiety can affect people in totally different ways? I have suffered on and off with anxiety and depression for over 10 years, I wear a mask because (most
Of the time) it isn't something that triggers me. But who am I to say that it wouldn't be an issue for someone else who suffers with anxiety?

Masks and anxiety http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/amiibeingunreasonable/4058586-masks-and-anxiety

I have just got a new kind of mask. It's like a small upside down visor, with a bit that tests on your chin. Because I don't want to look like a complete dork, I will be wearing a cloth mask over it. I can now wear a mask without breathing in the cloth.

@Glamfilmfloogety lucky you that your employer does , many don't.
I had to wait 9 months for online cbt and its not always easy to access and as you know it takes time to sometimes work, masks have been around less than a year . And this op tried wearing as she said.
But lets also not forget that masks help reduce risk but do not guarantee you won't spread , we all need to be taking as many measures as we can .

*rests not tests

@welcometo2021 this is exactly what I said, my anxiety will probably be very different to yours

I get anxious when I see someone not wearing a mask in a shop.
In my mind they see it’s ok to help this virus spread and they don’t seem to worry who they could give it to or if they get it.
I’ve seen old dears walking into Morrison’s pulling there oxygen tanks behind them because of breathing problems but not wearing a mask because they are exempt? Surely they are the ones who should be all for them if it stops them catching it.

If your anxious about going into a shop then don’t go in. If you feel panicked in a shop then get out and get some fresh air I’m sure the shop workers would rather you did that than just take your mask off.

The local coop where I like are now doing a click and collect can usually click then it’s ready for you in 2 hours. Great service.

Is there anything you can do to mitigate it?

The masks can feel a bit much but could you wrap a scarf around your nose and mouth?

Or a snood? better than nothing and may be less tight fitting and help you.

Actually, I think it's completely reasonable. Buy one of those flower lanyards things that people who are exempt from wearing masks wear.
It's no ones business and if people challenge you say it's due to an unseen disability and you don't need to disclose it.

In my mind they see it’s ok to help this virus spread and they don’t seem to worry who they could give it to or if they get it.

Why do you assume this?

My online shop came today with roughly 1/3 of the items missing - if I couldn’t wear a mask i would still have to go to the supermarket to get what’s missing, doesn’t mean I’d want to or didn’t care about others.

If this thread has taught us anything, it is that anxiety is still an incredibly misunderstood mental health condition.

No OP you are not being unreasonable. As someone who suffers with anxiety, i know how incredibly hard anxiety can be. At times, it can make you feel like you are going to die. Very hard to explain to people who don't have it.

No

@clarepetal

Actually, I think it's completely reasonable. Buy one of those flower lanyards things that people who are exempt from wearing masks wear. It's no ones business and if people challenge you say it's due to an unseen disability and you don't need to disclose it.

That's not what they're for and makes a mockery out of true hidden disabilities.

No OP you are not being unreasonable. As someone who suffers with anxiety, i know how incredibly hard anxiety can be. At times, it can make you feel like you are going to die. Very hard to explain to people who don't have it.

The OP clearly states it was a mild panic attack.

@gamerchick again, people showing real lack of knowledge. Anxiety, in some cases, CAN be classed as a disability. Very dismiss to imply that it isn't a true disorder/disability either.

@Bookworming doesn't matter. A mild panic attack can easily become much worse if not dealt with - the OP dealt with it by removing her mask. Hardly crime of the century.

[quote sunsetorange]@gamerchick again, people showing real lack of knowledge. Anxiety, in some cases, CAN be classed as a disability. Very dismiss to imply that it isn't a true disorder/disability either.[/quote]
That's not what that poster was saying

What about one of these? It holds the mask away from your face so it doesn't go in your mouth when you breathe in

[quote sunsetorange]@gamerchick again, people showing real lack of knowledge. Anxiety, in some cases, CAN be classed as a disability. Very dismiss to imply that it isn't a true disorder/disability either.[/quote]
It can be in some cases.
However there is nothing in what the Op actually posted to suggest that is the case for her.

One mild panic attack after months of having to wear masks thankfully suggests that her anxiety when it comes to mask wearing into severe.

And it's shit to self diagnose with anxiety and get a sunflower lanyard just to get out of wearing a mask. It's a pisstake. People think they're for mask exemption and they're not.

Total pisstake.

I suffer extremely badly from anxiety (also mafe worse by masks) and yet would say no. I don't think it is a suitable reason to not wear one.

I don't think anyone here can say whether or not the OP has an acceptable level of anxiety, and whether or not mask wearing is/has become a trigger.

All that matters is if the OP feels that it was a necessary thing to do - I would do whatever it took to calm down if I was starting to have a panic attack or if I could feel one coming on.