Severe anxiety re: Coronavirus

[polkadotpixie]

I'm really not doing well. I'm terrified, I'm not sleeping at all, I'm constantly on the edge of a panic attack

I'm petrified my 18 month old son is going to die. He's very snotty and coughing, no idea it it's COVID-19 or a cold

I'm almost as scared that I'm going to die and leave him without a Mum. I'm 35 with no underlying health conditions but my anxiety is in overdrive

I started with a fever, sore throat and diarrhoea last night so I'm thinking I have it. No cough or shortness of breath though

My son and I are self isolating but my husband refuses to which is causing me even more stress. He works outside alone with minimal human contact but he's self employed and says he can't afford not to work. This is true but he's putting people at risk regardless and there's nothing I can do to stop him

I don't know how I'm going to cope cooped up alone with a toddler for 2 weeks. I still have PND and don't cope well alone with him anyway

I'm scared something will happen to my Mum too. She's in good health but she's 65. I'm scared I'll have passed something onto her

I'm really on the brink. I have been put back on Sertraline by my GP and I have Diazapam too but nothing's working 😭

That sounds horrendous.

I don't know what to say other than, take a breath. Maybe try a mindfulness app? They work well for some people.

Try and establish a new routine for you and the toddler. Don't worry about giving him screen time or anything, do what you have to do.

Stay in, you're doing your bit. That's all you can do.

Thanks for your reply, I appreciate it

I've played in the garden with my son for a while blowing bubbles which has calmed me down a bit

I don't actually really feel unwell. I don't have a sore throat now and no more diarrhoea thankfully. No coughing either but my temp is still well over 38C so self isolation it's got to be

The thing to remember is that most people do recover from this. Yes, it is serious and can be very unpleasant but it can also be very mild and in the majority of cases it is. There are no deaths in your son's age range at all.

Your husband is not following guidelines but what can you do - you cannot physically force him to stay at home. for you. This too shall pass.