Is there anything more I could be doing

[Mydogisthebestest]

Can anyone help me navigate a way through this? Is there anything I’m missing or could be doing that I’m not already or have organised

I’m really anxious and worried and I’d ask that you be kind please. I’m absolutely not wanting to add to anyone else’s risk

I can’t wear a mask. I have a medical exemption for a physical illness and also for mental health issues. (I have PTSD)

I’m staying at home as much as I can. If I can get a shopping slot I’m shopping online, otherwise I go to the supermarket at quiet times and avoid people. Social distancing etc

The local shop deliver essentials and leave them outside (milk, bread - that type of thing - I phone and order and pay over the phone)

When I have to go out I go in my car, with The windows up, I wash my hands just before leaving and sanitizer them when I get into and out of the car. And also when I touch surfaces.

I always sanitizer trolleys etc

I haven’t had anyone in my house except DD since March and I’ve only gone twice to friends, once to socially distance in the garden and once indoors Socially distanced, where I used a downstairs toilet and took kitchen roll home that I’d used to dry my hands (bagged). (It rained.)

I haven’t seen my other kids who are adult indoors, we have had coffee at a distance but we are meeting this week for a meal.

I’m also seeing DP next weekend for the first as he has been shielding and as DD is 18 we could not bubble.

The fact I can’t wear a mask and reading some of the threads on here I’m very aware that I’m seen as a risk to others.

I already have a sunflower lanyard and I’ve ordered a mask exempt thing for it.

I will, of course, turn away from anyone who approaches me if they do not social distance.

Is there anything else I should be doing that I’m not doing to reduce my risk to others?

You do you, honestly you seem to be doing tons. I have PTSD too although it wouldn't prevent me from wearing a mask. But it's an absolutely horrible thing to have so I completely understand. I hope you're not challenged on it because you have every right to do the best you can. It's a horrible thing to suffer from.
You seem to have everything really thought through

I think you've pretty much covered all bases OP.
The risk of getting The Covid is pretty small really. I think on a par with, our lower than that of being in a car accident. Something like that - but low anyway. It seems higher than it is because of everything in the media.

Which isn't to say we should all stop taking precautions. We absolutely should. This is what's keeping the risk so low.

I think you are doing everything you can do OP.

You’re doing everything you can. But it sounds like you might need help with anxiety.

I think you're going OTT.

You are avoiding places and situations where a mask is useful anyway. Distance is more effective than a mask so you are doing good

I am receiving online counselling and I take medication for diagnosed anxiety linked to trauma which caused my PTSD.

I do sometimes have to go to the shop, eg for petrol, but I socially distance and pay contactless where ever possible.

I was really just wanting to know if there was anything I had missed, you know?

Most people are doing far less than you and they don't even have a good reason for it. I wouldn't worry.

OP you are doing everything you can, well done.

Wear your sunflower lanyard at all times when out and about. As parents of a shielded little girl I certainly wouldn’t judge when if I saw you wearing the lanyard.

Stay safe and well OP.

Thanks everyone. The last thing I want to do is put anyone at risk

You are doing well OP, might be worth having a chat with the GP though, you sound really anxious. Make sure you are still finding a way to have fun and live your life though, a life lived totally in fear is no life at all.

I have spoken to the GP - unfortunately this is something I’m going to have to work through and the lack of face to face appointments is hindering things for me but I am doing my best.

Just because you aren't able to wear a mask doesn't suddenly mean you are a massive risk to everybody else. Millions of people have been walking round without masks for 3 months. you sound as if you might be worrying about it a bit too much. be kind to yourself x

You don't need to apologize for being exempt any more than I need to apologize for not being exempt.

Be kind to yourself OP

I've got one thing to add to your list: be kind to yourself.
You are doing more than many, please try and be less harsh to yourself

People really only started wearing masks on Friday. You sound very anxious. The chances of you catching it/giving it to someone else are very low right now. (Although could increase dependant upon area)

The fact that you are even asking shows what a kind person you are. Youre doing brilliantly. Be kind to yourself :-)

You are doing amazingly well.
I'd add to the "be kind to yourself"....and let others be kind to you. I have found this whole time to be so much harder than I thought I would. I think it's really important, if you are struggling, to find a small thing that sustains you - an online chat or group that helps you feel positive, being creative, doing something you love. ❤

Thank you everyone. I am trying my absolute best. But I need my life to get back to some kind of normal. Seeing my kids and seeing my OH.

I have taken on board the feeling from here over this weekend that people who aren’t wearing masks aren’t legitimately exempt and are putting others at risk and I am worrying about it. I know I’m anxious about it - I have tried different types of masks and even just bandanas but I can’t tolerate them at all.

They also make my glasses steam up and because I walk with crutches I can’t even stop to wipe them and I feel unsteady and at risk of falling. And I’m feeling like I’m going to,vomit and wanting to claw my face off and the blood is busting in my head with panic.

I did try and I will keep trying.

I would honestly hide all the mask threads.

I left Mumsnet after 14 years of being here, when this all started as it was just making me so bloody anxious and panicky. I tentatively came back for a particular thread, but I'm being very careful where I tread!

Sounds like you are doing everything you can, and it's great that you are doing counselling.
I have to wear masks at work (have for months) and find that I tend to mouth-breathe, which I don't usually do. I have to remind myself to nose breathe, which reduces the fogging up effect. Slowing down your breathing consciously and using nose will reduce the panicked hyperventilation effect that can set off physical symptoms (pounding heart, nausea, tingling fingers, rapid breathing).
At some point you (or anyone else who is struggling) might want to think about acclimatisation / gradual exposure.
Are you any good at relaxation? Try to get good at it.
Then maybe lie on your bed, get comfy, and just hold the mask in your hand, by your hips. Relax as best you can, stay there, until you feel calm. When you are ready, move on to the next stage, which could be where you rest the mask on your face, don't use the ear straps, close eyes, try to let the anxiety fade, stay with it as long as you can. Then put ear straps on. Then put it on while sitting in a chair. Then stand up. Then walk in it. Then talk in it. The more you wear it the more you will get used to it.
Throughout the process, encourage yourself to relax as much as you can whenever you feel your anxiety rising. The principles are that you take yourself into a situation that makes you anxious, and you stay there, relax, and realise that the anxiety will reduce, then move on to a slightly harder situation, relax and then move on again.
Hope this makes sense, hope this is useful to someone out there.
(Used to teach relaxation, panic attack control and anxiety management in a previous job - just given you the very bare bones here)

Blue that is exactly what I have been working on. And how I’ve been trying to work up to wearing the mask. Unfortunately for me my asthma and my trauma make it very difficult.

Thank you though it helps to realise I’m doing the right things

You are doing the right things, mydog.

One more thing to add to the list: be kind to yourself. You are being really thoughtful about the risk to others but don’t forget you and your needs in it all. It has to be a balance. Make sure you get 5 portions of joy a day.

Thank you for putting so much thought into keeping everyone safe. Good luck and I hope the online counselling helps with the PTSD. If you’ve not tried EMDR it’s worth investigating.

Thank you @Msmcc1212. I’m on the waiting list for EMDR via my community mental health team but it’s on hold due to COVID.