Coronavirus = Health Anxiety

[MrsGeee]

I usually just sit & reads Mumsnet, I’ve never actually posted I’m just wondering if there is anyone else out there that is really struggling mentally with this pandemic?
I used to suffer with health anxiety really bad for about 5 years. I then went to therapy for a year & I would say it pretty much ‘cured’ me well I knew how to control/handle it.
Well since the pandemic it’s all come back :-( & I’m really struggling. Everyday I think I have it & worried I’m going to die & leave me 2 children. My husband has got really bad ‘hayfever’ this year but I’m convincing myself it’s not hayfever & that he’s got coronavirus!! I’ve been self isolating for about 6 weeks now. My husband only goes to do the food shop if we can’t get an online delivery. Right outside my house is a big field so I take the kids walking around that a few times a week but that’s it. Everything that enters my house gets cleaned or packaging thrown away. My hands are so sore from washing them. I know that a lot of people are struggling at this time. All day I would just sit & google ‘coronavirus’ I’ve not done that now for 2 days as it’s making me worse! But then I think I’m getting all the symptoms not sure if its just in my head! I’m just really struggling to cope :-(

Sorry for the long post

You could be talking about me. I am petrified of leaving my kids. I was taken to hospital at the weekend due to a seizure and now I think I will have picked it up. I have a slight sore throat today and I and panicking. Day and night I read about the virus. I can't function properly. Have you rang your GP?

I’m the exact same and I’m petrified of getting this virus severely since it was only a December I had a sickness bug virus type thing. I’ve had family who have had pneumonia and I’m so scared that I’m next. I’m also terrified of when my son has to go back to school and if he brings it back and is asymptotic I will not know and since other illnesses throw me in bed I’m very anxious and scared about suffering badly from this so you’re not alone 😞

OP, sounds like you have made a good choice to read the news less and to step away from the internet. Are there any other strategies from your therapy that you could be practicing. Maybe get your husband to check you have done any therapy exercises every day. In the same way you have taken sensible precautions to not catch the virus, what sensible steps can you take to protect your mental health?

@oldbagface yes I have a sore throat every day or do I? It drives me crazy!! No not contacted the GP as they will give me anti-depressants & due to my anxiety I'm scared to take tablet as I assume I will get all the side effects stupid I know!! I would advise you to stop reading it is definitely helping me a little or at least limit your self each day.

@Xtinalee thank you - it's awful isn't it? It's just really frustrating as I was so bad a few years ago & feel like I'm going back to my old way which I wouldn't wish on my worse enemy!!

@Anotheronetwo very good point thank you. I'm not really taking any steps to help my mental health it's very hard to get out the rut. I'm going to start looking at some CBT what really helped me when I was in therapy was just talking to my therapist she made everything sound so simple. I also need to crack on with house work as once I start doing something to take my mind off it helps a lot it's just actually getting to do it in the first place if that makes sense! I usually I clean freak & ive just not got the motivation.

Thank you all for replying!! Well this thread is here now so if you ever feel anxious then please post believe me with what I've been through with my anxiety nothing will shock me.

Yes but in general I'm feeling better than I was a few weeks ago.

It's important to remember that the OVERWHELMING majority of people who get it will be ok - even those who are older or have co-morbidities. The chances are they'll be ok.