How do you stop worrying?

[Shoegal0305]

So my DS 18 is currently house sharing 110 miles away, been working a seasonable job. He shares with 3 other lads, one of which has had mild Covid symptoms, cough and lost sense of taste. DS was meant to come home this week but now obviously can't until his house mate either tests negative or he isolates for 14 days. DS has asthma, no hospital admissions since he was 4 thankfully but he has the odd flare up which sometimes requires antibiotics snd/or steroids. I'm worried sick. The lad with the symptoms is likely to test positive as his mum and sister did. I'm starting to go down a slippery slope of anxiety, of which my sons health is a trigger. 😞😞

Try not to worry OP my DS (21) tested positive today and he needs an inhaler if he gets a cold usually, thankfully he is feeling a bit better and not developed any cough/ chest symptoms. Hope he’s ok and hold soon

@HeyMacarona thank you. Like I say my sons health is a trigger for anxiety! Plus I'm not with him! 😂

You recognise that your sons health is a trigger for your anxiety which is good. Some anxiety is completely proportionate given the situation your in.

You also know that your sons age is the biggest factor in the likelihood he could become really ill and this makes it highly unlikely. If he did become worse what would happen? You would assist him to get help and then the medical professionals would give him a plan to follow.

What I’m trying to get across is that you don’t have to fight your anxiety totally. You’re in a stressful situation and it’s ok to be stressed. Not nice but ok. Make plans for your worst scenarios being realised but keep reminding yourself it’s unlikely to happen and take it a hour/day at a time. Drawing up a timetable of your day might help to make you move on when you find yourself spiralling.

Hope your ds feels better soon

Controlled asthma and mild asthma is no longer thought to be a risk factor, try not to worry.

💐.

@Cornettoninja thank you your words are really encouraging and just what I needed to read. It's all about perspective I know that but it's hard to get it sometimes. I just feel a bit helpless. His house mate DID test positive but isn't "poorly" just feels a 'bit rough' (his words 😂). I have been nagging DS to keep taking his preventer, wash his hands, etc etc. He needed a nebuliser early January but recovered well. There is a little walk in centre in the town he lives in so he knows where to get help if needed. Like I say it's the not being there.

@Augustbreeze thank you. It's just a cold always goes to his chest so covid terrifies me. I work front line NHS and whilst DS at home I was so careful, showering at work etc. I haven't had any symptoms and I am exposed daily so here's hoping he takes after me 😂

I’m sure you’re already aware; it’s so hard to be an impotent observer of events, you just have to live through it and whatever it brings.

There’s no point fighting your worry - of course you’re going to worry, you’re his mum! You’ll exhaust yourself trying to bury any anxiety completely.

For me I need to keep the worst moments at bay by doing something even if I keep thinking the same thoughts, doing something almost dilutes the anxiety. It’s a case of finding what works for you, I tend to bombard myself a bit so listen to podcasts/talk radio/audio books so a conversation can catch my interest whilst playing one of those dreadful candy crush type games/sudoku or browsing MN.

You can get through this

It's fine to be concerned, it's a perfectly natural reaction.

What's not fine is to get yourself into a state of high anxiety where you make yourself incapable of providing him with help and support if he needs it.

How can you channel your nervous energy to help him in a better way? How about for a start making sure he'll have everything he needs. Is he taking maximum Vitamin D with K2 for maximum absorption? If not, send him some alongside a multivitamin and mineral supplement if his diet's not great. 18 year old lads aren't renowned for healthy living

Hi Shoegal. My 18 year old niece is in her first year at uni and has just recovered from the virus. All 3 of her flat mates had it before her and she had the worst symptoms - 2 days of a cough and a mild fever. No loss of taste or smell and she was absolutely fine on day 3. My son (20) is living with 6 housemates and one of them has just tested positive so he’s quite resigned to getting it. The one that’s tested positive has no symptoms whatsoever. It doesn’t seem much of an issue in that age group, so I’m not too concerned. Hope that helps put your mind at rest a bit.

Thank you all for your replies today at nice to know there's support 😃