Self-anxiety by obsessive reading Coronavirus news

[StressoeZoe]

I've become completely obsessed with reading and watching coronavirus news - on TV and refreshing coronavirus threads here and news websites.

I think part of it for me is the uncertainty about when lockdown will be and what the measures will be and if I can get to help relatives. I hate the lack of government transparency and all this hinting about the next measures. I don't know why they couldn't have set out a clear staged process and said they'd implement them as and when.

Like - stage 1 ban large gatherings, 2 close schools, 3 social distancing. 4 close shops. It's not like they haven't known what was coming over the hill for at least a month.

Anyone else in this obsessive scab picking news hell?? or just me?

Any advice other than just stop because I don't thinnk I can.

Yes I feel the same tbh, I've officially finished work for the time being today and after tonight's announcement, whatever that might be, I think I will TRY to stop myself from tomorrow. As we won't be able to anything more than we're already doing to prevent us catching it, and I have become obsessive with it but I think it's due to extreme anxiety

I'm going to trial having my phone put away for a good part of the day now.

Thanks @covetingthepreciousthings

Strangely it is comforting to know I'm not alone in this. I'm not sure if my anxiety is causing my news obsession or if my news obsession is causing my anxiety.

Yep, I’m trying not to but I keep checking the news and reading threads on here. I think just every piece of information feels important somehow

I'm feeling totally overwhelmed at the moment . I'm usually strong, hold the family together , they all turn to me but not today I can't be positive

I think part of my obsession, especially with mumsnet in particular, is because for a while over the last few weeks everyone I know in real life has been so so blasé about the whole situation, and every day I was in work and everyone was acting like nothing was happening. It was almost like I needed that reassurance that I wasn't going completely mad and that this is a big deal, if you see what I mean?!

Me too.

I have no idea what used to occupy my thoughts all day long before this.

I am hoping that once full lockdown is announced (presumably tonight as what else is an 8.30 PM speech to the nation going to be about) I will be able to stop. Maybe not thinking about it, but at least the constant refreshing.

I'm the same OP. I cope by using distraction techniques then allow myself a designated "coronavirus hour" where I can check latest headlines, read threads in MN, Facebook etc. I have set times for these then rest of time I read or watch YouTube videos of funny things anything really to keep my mind off it.

I had a meltdown this morning but am ok again for now anyway Xx

Thanks guys so glad not just me. I do feel a bit calmer isn't the right word less agitated now there is an anouncment. I'm still very worried about the police powers and how 'police state' this will be and whether there will be more announcements and army type road blocks. I think this whole thing has been really badly managed by the government in terms of public communication. It's well known that uncertainty is bad for people psychologically.

It's still a mess - there is a thread on here with mothers asking what they should do about contact if there is a court order in place. On the face of it, that doesn't fall into any of those categories but failing to obey a court order is contempt of court. The guidance isn't clear enough.

My friend has severe anxiety - and CV had initially tipped her almost over the edge. However I found some very useful advice on the WHO site, which she has followed - she's doing brilliantly now.

www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/mental-health-considerations.pdf?sfvrsn=6d3578af_2

Thank you @Ariela that is a very useful link.