Why am I suddenly feeling terrified ?

[Glitterzzz]

All of a sudden today I feel very very anxious, upset and terrified of contacting this and passing away. I’m not the kind to be constantly watching the news about it and have tried to continue life as normally as possible and until today haven’t felt this serious level of fear which I do right now...

Is anyone else feeling the same

@Parky04
That’s lovely to hear🙂
Good for all of us to hear some positivity.

At this moment in my quarantine, I take advantage of exercising with my daughter, teaching her how to make cookies, paint and experience her artistic side. Sometimes she asks me why we can't go out and I say no, because we should take care of ourselves and she herself has taught me to improve things in this situation!

I’ve calmed down a little. I think I was worse, watching China and Italy and BJ was going on about “taking it on the chin” and washing your hands and meanwhile.... CRUFTS and Cheltenham gold Cup and football and rugby ... all still happening.

We have been woefully “British” about this. Now, we have to get through as best we can.

I’m scared for all the NHS and emergency workers who even now, months in, don’t have the PPE they need. Two nurses died today. I’m sure PPE would’ve helped them.

Sorry @Glitterzzz that I cannot reassure you.

Terrified. Worried for my 2 sons who both have asthma.
If I die what will happen to them? Their dad is a useless t**t

I haven't been stressed at all, mainly because I know that stress will massively reduce my immunity when I need it to be good. I have been doing everything I can to boost my immunity instead. I'm a keyworker, so I need to go into work and be around people, I can't just hide at home.

I also listen to lots of different viewpoints and theories on it, not just the mainstream media which has given me balance and perspective.

I also accept that one day I am going to die of something, maybe this, probably not, but thinking that death is inevitable gives peace of mind, weirdly.

I was really stressed a couple of weeks ago, then it calmed down for a while. The last couple of days, I'm getting anxious again. I think it's the stories about young, healthy people dying. And the rate at which the numbers are going up. It's scary.

Trying to keep things in perspective, but it's a challenge. My biggest worry is that I can't see what the exit strategy will be. I can cope with the lockdown, but what happens when the restrictions are lifted, and will we see another surge in deaths and further lockdowns on and off until a vaccine has been developed? And if that's the future, what does that mean for those of us who are at higher risk? It feels like a very long road ahead....

I was super anxious as soon as it became obvious it wouldn't be contained in China. Not concerned for myself at all. Just my family.

I think the worst, most harrowing thing is that the sick are taken away, and nobody who loves them can see how they're treated. Those who die, do so alone. It's fucking awful. I'd rather it was me than someone I loved because I'm not sure I could live with it.

Yes I have had moments of seruous panic in the last few weeks. I have imagined myself dying at home alone with my kids and no-one being able to come and help. I have imagined my brother dying alone in his flat abroad. Horrible thoughts. You have to let them be then let them go and think about something else / do something. I generally see myself as quite resilient mentally, but I am finding it hard. Drinking too much.

Alexashutup - very concise post. I feel you are spot on.

My coping strategies so far are;
Limiting the amount of news I watch to a minimum,
Getting out of my own thoughts using exercise, a book, an absorbing film,
Restricting my browsing on forums,
Keeping a general routine,
Simple mindfulness techniques, concentrating hard on a task for example. That might be sorting out a cupboard, colouring in a picture or just thinking of an animal beginning with every letter of the alphabet while lying in bed!

They don't always work but it's good to have strategies you can use.

I think we're all having these moments so it's important to look after our mental health.

I have found that not watching or listening to any news makes a difference. I only watch the daily briefing at 5pm and get my updates from there.

I think it’s the actual not knowing about the virus that’s the issue.

How it spreads, what it does, who it affects - for example at first you hear it was just the really old and really sick, then it’s people with underlying health conditions or overweight people but now there is a suggestion that it can trigger a cytokine storm in some people.

The reality is that no one has a full grasp of knowledge on the virus, and that’s not a criticism.

I think the penny is dropping for a lot of people, maybe on a subconscious level, that the solution to the problem (shutting down the country and economy) will have much more severe consequences than the actual 'virus'. Some people are coming to terms with the fact that the authorities do not always have their best interests at heart. Obviously this will make people scared.