Anxiety- anyone else struggling?

[Myfriendanxiety]

My anxiety tonight is through the roof and I can’t sleep. I’m exhausted from looking after 2 small children on my own all the time while DH works but I can’t sleep.

Anyone else struggling?

[Myfriendanxiety]

I’ve got a 1 year old who has had a cold and cough since Xmas. She just can’t shake it off. Because of this though I have no idea when to self isolate as I won’t know if her cough is new.

Both myself and DH are key workers but luckily I only have to go in to my work once in the next 4 weeks, however DH is in every day.

I am also worried about one of them getting ill with something different and there not being the support for them. Or us having a car accident and there being no hospital beds. It’s terrifying.

We are going out the absolute bare minimum, just to buy food but I have to take both children with me as DH doesn’t finish work till late and the shops are empty by then.

[PetrolCan]

I'm feeling really anxious too. I'm worried about my elderly mum 250 miles away. DH may have had this thing over the last 10 days, so I've been doing everything, which is exhausting. I'm worried about not being good enough to do home education, and that I'll ruin my son's future because of it. We've been cooped up for the last 10 days, so feeling very claustrophobic. I'm worried that I'll have to go back to work on Tuesday - non-keyworker, can work from home, but boss is insistent. I'm worried we won't have enough food, although logically I know we're ok on that score at the moment.

I've never suffered from anxiety before. Feeling it now though. Constant tightness in my chest, pounding head, twitchy limbs. It feels weird. I'm trying to get into some sort of routine to keep us all happy, but failing so far.

Love to all.

[WiseUpJanetWeiss]

Yes. Horrible tension and palpitations. I’ve found physical exercise helps - running, gardening, vigorous hoovering - and watching comedy and clips that make me laugh.

[Hairydilemma]

I’m also struggling with this. We’ve been self-isolating as my DD had a cough - now on the mend - and I was looking forward to a bit of freedom at the end of the week, assuming the rest of us are well.

Now though I’ve decided we will pretty much stay in self-isolation. The news about people still being out and about (socially, I mean, I realise lots of people still need to work etc) has really scared me so like a PP said, I’m focusing on what I can control. Keep us inside and hopefully safe, encourage my parents and in-laws to do the same and that’s the most we can do.

Good luck to everyone

[Connie222]

Me. I’m not sleeping, I’m pregnant with HG and the sickness has ramped up even with the meds that were helping before.

I’m due in August, a section as I’ve had two previous. I’m fine with going alone to scans etc (20 week one in three weeks), I’d be fine with going to give birth alone but I’m constantly worrying what the state of hospitals will be then.

[middleager]

For me it's the idea that if something 'normal' happens - DC in accident, appendicitis etc there will be no hospital beds left.

[CharlieTangoBanana]

Most of the UK is suffering

[DioneTheDiabolist]

I think that's a good idea OP. Shift your focus to what you can do.

Strength and health.x

[Myfriendanxiety]

I’ve just looked up that even in Italy there are 886 cases per million people which although is obviously still terrible, it isn’t as huge as my brain is escalating it to.

I think I need to take a break from the media and focus on my little family.

[AmICrazyorWhat2]

I've not been sleeping well either OP and I know it's underlying worry about the current situation. But, I just started a thread on how well my elderly Dad is coping with self-isolation and his attitude has made me put things in perspective. For my immediate family (DH, myself and DC), if we get COVID-19, we're highly likely to recover as we have no underlying conditions. My Dad and SM are unlikely to survive if they do - but they're dealing with the situation well and self-isolating.

Compared with what some people have to deal with in their daily lives such as real poverty or living in a war zone, I'm extremely lucky. So I'm trying to calm myself down by exercising and doing things to distract myself. I hope you find ways to reduce your anxiety as well.

[DioneTheDiabolist]

I dont suffer from anxiety, but this shit has me awake too. What's on your mind OP.

[Myfriendanxiety]

I had CBT and have had my anxiety under control too- all the unknowns have triggered it all off again.

It usually focus on the health of my children but I reassure myself we have 999, and hospitals if they get really sick. Now I can’t even do that as the service isn’t there in its usual capacity.

[heebie]

Massively. Used to suffer from anxiety years ago but CBT helped. I've been unable to sleep properly for weeks and now having full on panic attacks.

[Jj2431]

Me.

I'm pregnant and asthmatic and DH still working. Scared we will get it. Also can't find basics anywhere and I miss normality so much. It's the fear of the unknown. I suffer anxiety anyway :(