Terrified

[Littlelamb40]

Hello
I'm absolutely terrified of the covid19. It's effecting my mental health and I'm so scared it's never going to go away, and this is our new way of life.
I'm petrified of catching this even though I'm too scared to leave the house.
I just don't know what to do
Are we in this together forever. ??

No. If you look at the history of previous epidemics and pandemics, even the worst follow the peak curve you keep seeing talked about. It is horrible but it will pass.

It’ll pass. I’m scared too but if it helps, I think everyone is. You are not alone by any means.

Try not to pay too much attention to the news and just stay at home until it passes.

Focus on things you are looking forward to when it’s over. While you’re home try to keep some routine and keep busy.

You’ll be ok

What Realitea said and appropriate username.

I found this quite reassuring

swprs.org/a-swiss-doctor-on-covid-19/

Thanks for your advice. I've never felt so fearful in my life. These poor people suffering and dying around the world.

My OH only leaves the house once a week to get essesionals and I'm even petrified he will catch it at a supermarket, and then pass it onto me and my daughter.

The thing is people die everyday anyway. In 2018 over 500,000 people died. That's just under 1500 a day.
In Italy the number is as high as 2000 per day.
I have a feeling the excess mortality isn't going to be as high as feared

I think it's the fact that it's transmitted so easy really worries me. I can't sleep at night and have cried a few times.

It's scary, but it will be OK.

It isn't transmitted that easily, not now people are so aware. As soon as it leaves the body it starts to die. If your husband is washing his hands well after shopping he's greatly reduced the chance of bringing it in to the home. Wiping down purchases, door handles etc also helps you to feel in control.
It's a scary time and bring scared is rational in this situation. Don't try not to be scared. Just try and think about the positive steps you can take for protecting your family.

Its early days and things are starting to get more into a routine now. So hold on there just short while longer

I've been following this in the news for months and I felt a bit scared a few weeks ago, a kind of quesy feeling in my stomach and I wasn't sleeping properly at all, but I've rallied recently and I'm not too bad now.

This afternoon we've been watching old films on YouTube and it was a surprise to us to realise that we had managed to forget the news and what's happening for most of the day. It will happen

It has a spread rate, if everyone were going about their business normally of 2.5 people for every one infected.
Compared with norovirus for example which has a spread rate of up to 3.7 people for every one infected.
It's about as contagious as the common cold

The issue with it is that in normal life people needing care would need different sorts of care. At the moment everyone needs the same sort of care. That's why we have the restrictions we do

It just worries me that isn't going away and keep going until everyone in the world gets infected. Even if we stay in lock down for 6 months. What happens when we come out of lock down, surely it will just come back worse.

Do you have any reason to think you will be particularly badly effected? The reality is that most people who get this will be fine. My DS and I just had it and my Ex-H has it now. It's a bit stressful when you have it and don't know how bad it will get, and it is a tiring and difficult two weeks, but we are over it now.

Booboostwo did you have breathing problems that's what frightens me.

I have a feeling the excess mortality isn't going to be as high as feared

I agree. What's not being reported is how many of these people would have died anyway, from ordinary flu, or anything else.
I'd be interested in seeing the total deaths in the country, not just Covid-19 deaths.

If you chose any potentially fatal disease and count the total, cumulative death toll from an arbitrary day one, it's bound to increase daily until it plateaus.

Yes for one night, I had trouble breathing when lying down and I was very tired anyway because I hadn't slept well for 3 nights before. It was not pleasant, but it was OK. I didn't feel the need to call for help, but did see a doctor the next day (not in the UK).

I'm so glad your better now good news. I constantly think ive got covid19 especially when my chest goes tight and I cough. I panic and think this must be it. Then nothing develops, (it's the same cycle every day)

@littlelamb I've had the virus for 23 days now. I didn't develop breathing problems but just felt like a band around my chest. I didn't even have temp until 3 days ago but GP convinced we've had it DH and I.

OP, a call to your GP for a telephone appointment and some support to deal with anxiety and panic might be useful for you. Have you looked at anxiety UK, MIND UK and NHS resources on anxiety?

I get what you mean @Littlelamb40. I have been having panic attacks and my chest tightens, I struggle to breathe, I panic more. It's a viscous cycle.
I'm also scared when I read too much news or too many threads on here.
I've found it useful to just browse shopping websites and although not bought anything it's nice to see what the new spring /summer trends are and I imagine the types of look I'm going to put together when lockdown restrictions are finished.
You should try to do something similar, something which takes your mind off it.
As long as you are isolating and being consistent with hand washing you should be ok.

It's all the mention of underlying conditions.

I have cardiac arrhythmia and asthma & sometimes feel like I'm doomed in my mid 50s.

Plus different info.

Airborne/not airborne.

I must have missed this but why are you isolating OP? Is anyone being shielded in your household? I find my daily exercise very useful for mental health - particularly as I have a 9 week old baby constantly breastfeeding and crying and a 4 year old climbing walls and me really missing work too although going back soon- v brisk morning walk for half an hour with dog whilst baby naps + exercise at home during afternoon nap really is helping in all manner of ways. Do look after yourself - you do not need to isolate unless I’ve missed something. Try to get the exercise enjoy the Sun and find some anxiety specific support?

JulietTango I found that link reassuring too.

OP you might find the video at the bottom of this link calming:
swprs.org/open-letter-from-professor-sucharit-bhakdi-to-german-chancellor-dr-angela-merkel/

Prof Bhakdi's comments focus on Germany, whose healthcare system does have greater capacity. But the current lack of good data is true everywhere. Data is accumulating and our response will become more sophisticated as it does. The lockdown buys us time to work out a long term response, identify treatments and gather information.

I am a worrier and don't want to dismiss your anxiety. This situation is weird and scary. It helps me to remember that even high risk groups appear to have a good chance of surviving Covid. Most won't need hospital treatment.