I WAS a prepper for 20 years. Had therapy now this

[cantQuiteBeliveIt]

Literally for just over 20 years
Always had stocks of everything
Lived in a cluttered home
Ruled by anxiety. Germs, war anything

Last year I’d had enough I was really ill I had therapy. Extensive and expensive
Got a professional declutterer/organiser and a bloody skip. I did it. I felt BETTER

All through my therapy I was reassured in 20+ years my preparation hadn’t been needed
The organiser helped so much made me realise I didn’t need all the Pasta/tins/medication/cleaning stuff

Last Xmas the first Xmas in 20 years we went to see the lights and went for coffees etc. I felt free
We even got a downstairs bathroom installed to take away my norovirus fear and the fact we only had 1 bathroom
I’ve relapsed totally with the Coronavirus issue

I also have an unwell child who would be in a high risk group. I feel like I’m drowning. My house is full of stuff again my mind of full of fear I can’t believe I lived this for 20+ years then felt better and what I’ve had ‘6months off’
I’m so so upset

Ive got no advice to give but wanted to send hugs im sorry ur going through this

This awful for you to go through. Maybe it's time to back to see a professional so they can help you prep without going over the top and to help you manage your fears and anxiety during this outbreak.

Big hug and hope you are OK

Get back into therapy ASAP.

OP I'm sorry to hear this. It's a set back. The progress you made still stands. The media reporting around this is fuelling panic.

The chief medical officer was on the radio yesterday morning and he was very reassuring. Even for the higher risk groups, the vast majority of people will survive this virus.

I just feel like it’s the worst luck ever and I feel scared. I feel cheated
I felt better
Now I’m back to where I was

You're not exactly back to where you were. Because now you know you can beat it. So that's hugely further forward.

I'm not a prepper but my house is a tip. I can't manage it. The thought of a declutterer strikes fear into my heart. You have my huge admiration.

Do you work or can you stay in to minimise the risk of catching it.
Did your therapist give you exercises?

I don't think you're right back where you were. This time there is a risk. It is not totally unnecessary to keep supplies for a self-imposed quarantine if necessary.

I find taking precautions that aren't difficult to take reduces my anxiety (about this virus) so why not take them.

Surely now this is the time to actually be a prepper?

can you stay in to minimise the risk of catching it

WTF? Surely that is the most unhelpful advice I’ve read on here!

@timeforplentyin2020
You're very wrong.

Not everybody needs to be out and about taking risks, FEELING anxiety because of the risks (perceived or otherwise) that they have no choice but to take.

OP has struggled with anxiety and related issues before and smart precautions control anxiety.

Don't label my practical advice unhelpful when your own head is buried deep in sand and you clearly haven't experienced anxiety or you'd know that taking the precautions (although labelled unnecessary by some) does help reduce the anxiety.

OP. You are NOT back where you were. You recognise that you've been triggered back into some old behaviour - well done!!! Now is the time to reduce your consumption of news, and hide the coronavirus threads on here. Speak to your family about what you are experiencing and call your therapist to book an appointment. Think back over what you covered in your sessions. What was the first little step you took towards recovery? Could you get support from your family and do that same little step this weekend? You will continue to experience times like this over your life of things that trigger you hack into old behaviour. Believe it or not these are OPPORTUNITIES to celebrate, as you can flex your new found skills and strength Each time one comes up, and you put what you've learnt into practice, you will get quicker and quicker at minimising the impact of any trigger! How bloody brilliant you are to have the capability to do that You are not back to square one OP, you're just levelling up!!

Think of positives - you have two bathrooms now. Something that made you feel better/more reassured and you still have it now.

Isn't it easier to keep things clean when there isn't so much clutter? If so, then doesn't it make sense to have fewer things/would be less painful to let them go if there's a clear benefit to not having them?

You are aware of hygiene precautions (and have been using them) for years, so don't need to be taught how to wash your hands and make an effort to remember to do so. Hopefully, you also learned over that time how to take care of your skin so it isn't harmed by regular washing. You know the difference between ineffective, hygienic and excessive washing.

You know how to risk assess. You are aware of when thoughts spiral and can question whether you are having a proportionate reaction or not.

You are aware of the tipping point where it gets out of hand. And that it can get out of hand.

And you're not getting into fistfights in ASDA over toilet rolls. Because you're wiser than that.

You've got experience and skills from both when you were not coping and after therapy that you can draw upon now. You have insight.

This has brought pack your original feelings, but you are not that same person, as you have grown and learned from it. Try and find those useful things from both stages of your life, calmly, realistically and without punishing yourself.