Think I'm having a breakdown, petrified

[Beebityboo]

Full disclosure. I have general anxiety disorder and ptsd from past abuse.
I think I'm having a nervous breakdown. I've had panic attacks before but this one has lasted five hours now and now everyone is asleep I am really struggling.
My precious 4yoDD has been unwell since October and this afternoon has developed a horrible cough (no she isn't going to school tomorrow) .
I'm terrified she has the virus and I'm going to lose her. I know I'm over reacting but this whole thing has me completely and utterly petrified. I never thought I would be this useless in a crisis. It feels like the end of the world .
Just venting really. I don't think I've ever been this afraid/insecure before.
I know I need to be strong for my DC's but I just want to go to sleep until the world feels safe again.

I think is quite normal to be scared. Most of us have never been in this type of situation before. Even if your daughter has got covid 19, there is a good chance she will get better. Children are recovering well and then she will have a level of immunity. Have a look at the positive thread. It helped me get a perspective on things. 💐

I am worried my children will get it and hate that thought.
What symptoms has your daughter had since October and has she seen a GP?
Try and stay positive OP.
Do you take anything for you anxiety?

Even if your daughter has got covid 19, there is a good chance she will get better.

Not just a good chance, it’s pretty much a certainty. It’s not life threatening for young children.

I hope you had an ok night. Children are physically best able to get through this. But obviously you are going to be worried and telling you to find a way to calm yourself isn't making that go away.
Anxiety UK website might help - I know that's a bit of a lame suggestion rather than offer advice. But rather than trawling through different threads to get ideas that might help (but still seeing other posters being anxious), maybe that might be a useful "one stop shop".

@Beebityboo I have ptsd and anxiety and I’m struggling too I take a low dose of fluoxetine but I’ve actually been taking beta blockers as I’m getting panicky at night.
I don’t have any answers but certainly a hand hold and some

Op speak to nhs direct if you think she has it and you are worried it's getting worse.

But of all the people who could get it, your dd has the best odds of it being incredibly mild.

Dont go to your gp, but call them if your anxiety is getting out of hand

I totally understand where you are. I havent seen my kids for over 2 weeks. They went to italy with their dad and have been in lock down since returning. They will hopefully come out on sunday. Every phone call I am listening for signs they feel ill. I am worried they will be ill and I wont be there.

It's a worrying time. People on this forum, have been very kind to me and helped me calm and get some sleep. Things didnt seem to scary when I had slept.

But speak to the doctors if you need help. This is a long road, we all need support

How are you feeling now.

Don't worry about topics, next time post in mental health, lots have hidden this topic.

Ok we need to help you climb down. Your daughter will be fine even if she has it. This is a very recent email from a friends private GP
" •
• Children particularly under the age of fifteen do not have the protein in their lungs that COVID-19 attaches to, so they are generally more protected. They can/will get a more mild flu like illness but unlikely therefore to get the secondary viral pneumonia we are worried about. They are however still vectors for infection and will be shedding and spreading the virus. So they can bring it into households, to the immuno-supressed and the elderly. "

This is a horrific situation, your body is in fight or flight mode. You need to try and get out of that mode in order to be there for your daughter and community. Try and see that if you are a healthy individual , you can be of enourmous help and that crumbling is the problem for you NOT covid. Scale it back, go for a walk, listen to the birds, look at the sky, go back to basics. Strengthen your mind. You CAN do this

Xx

I managed to get about 2 hours of sleep as my older DD has now got a cough/tight chest . My husbands job means he comes in to contact with people who travel a lot and he's now coughing/has a headache. I'm actually starting to suspect they may have it. DD1 never gets sick . I'm scared the school are going to fine me as DD2 has terrible attendance due to her ongoing health problems. I also feel I should keep DS home who doesn't have symptoms, I couldn't live with myself if he spread it arounf his school.

Thanks for being so nice everyone. I had largely gotten on top of my anxiety until all of this started. No idea how to keep going on as normal. I feel like I'm going to have a heart attack quite honestly and may need to go back on anti depressants to get through all of this.

Hi Bee. I’m so sorry you had an awful night. I understand your anxiety and feelings of panic that you seem to be describing. I have a diagnosed health anxiety and am finding the current times difficult too. I realise now that I need some help to get through the next few months. I have reluctantly started taking medication prescribed by my GP for anxiety (I have really put this off for about 5 years but have now given in). I also joined AnxietyUk last week. You have to pay but then you get access to the app Headspace for free (I would recommend this app. You could try it free via the AppStore too. There is an anxiety section to listen to). Finally i am getting in touch with local therapists (I’m thinking CBT would be most helpful for me but there are other approaches). Many can support over the phone. Anxiety UK also have a support phone line and online forum. Do you think any of these might help? Sending lots of positive thoughts your way today. Keep busy. Try not to read or listen to the news too much. Maybe look up Anxiety UK/ Headspace and maybe speak to your GP. Lots of love x

What do you normally do for anxiety?
Can u get any extra meds?
Maybe make a call to your gp amd ask them to send a prescription for diazepam to your nearest GP and get someone to go collect for you. Or grab you a packet of kalms even as Might take the edge off.

@Beebityboo , hi OP I have serious ocd anxiety too! I'm in the same boat I always think that something will always be too good to be true and my kids will be toom from me from this virus I'm petrifed to my kids have woke up today with coughs blocked nose etc me and DH have a cough too .. I'm worried!

Ive ordered a prescription of valium as my anxiety is really high. If I get breathless im a total wuss

Have you contacted NHS Direct?

I strongly suspect the whole school attendance issue is going to have to be put on ice for the next few months, because all schools will have low attendance figures - so I suggest you put the worry about being fined out of your mind.

How did you order the valium, Bran. I feel like it would be very useful for occasional use at the moment but my GP has been resistant to prescribing valium/diazepam in the past.

I was on anti depressants for anxiety for a long time but made real progress this year until the last month.

I'll take a look at anxiety UK.

I get it from my gp, although I dont get it that often so she doesnt mind prescribng them as she knows I dont abuse it. I get a prescription for it maybe every 3 or 4 months.
Its not the sort of thing you want to take a lot, as it is physically addictive, but for occasional use, I find it a godsend. I had to have one the other night.
Sometimes just knowing theyre available is enough.

Also I get prescribed fluanxol 1mg, which is quite good for calming, and thats non addictive. Its a mild anti-psychotic. Maybe ask to try that?

@Beebityboo, there have been no documented Coronavirus deaths in the 'Under 9' age category so I hope that reassures you that even if your DD catches it it won't be deadly.