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Original poster

Could someone please ask me to calm down..

50 replies

QuietBatPeople1 · 21/04/2021 11:09

I need a bit of a reality check- I’m very anxious about COVID and avoid going into many places. I do excercise and that’s it.
Yesterday wanted to challenge myself and went into our M&S wasn’t overly crowded but a few school kids decided that this was the local park and was running and shouting, there mum shouting at them.

Was worried I might have been exposed went for my run - then a lady I’ve not spoken to in ages spotted and stopped me for a chat. I had to stop as it’s rude not to- I did my best to stand far away from her but she kept edging forward!the conversation was about 2-3 min max

Now I feel really nervous and counting down days to see if I show symptoms- I checked the local infection rates and it looks low but I still feel nervous

OP posts:
AssassinatedBeauty · 21/04/2021 11:14

In terms of covid risk, it is extremely extremely unlikely that you have been exposed.

Regarding the anxiety, is that something that you've spoken to anyone about and are getting help with?

Original poster
QuietBatPeople1 · 21/04/2021 11:15

@AssassinatedBeauty yes I’m getting therapy via CBT and also have spoken to the gp about medication

OP posts:
Bonifacethethird · 21/04/2021 11:16

Outdoor transmission is super, super rare. I'd only be even vaguely worried about it if you'd spent an hour talking to this women outside at close range. I used to be as anxious about it as you are, I think what helped was gradually being in more and more objectively low risk situations as time went on and gathering 'evidence' for myself that it was okay, because I stayed healthy. You won't have caught anything from the situations you described, try not to worry!

marriednotdead · 21/04/2021 11:17

Well done for challenging yourself and going out!

Nothing you did yesterday would be deemed as a Covid risk by either the government or most people that don't have health anxiety.

Can you distract yourself with some fun things, no more checking stats and symptoms, it will not make you feel any better Flowers

Overdueanamechange · 21/04/2021 11:17

You'll be fine, but its sensible to remain cautious.
Remember that schools are testing children twice a week (or the children are sent home with test kits), so it's unlikely that you will pick anything up from children in a shop.
You spoke to your friend outdoors and distanced, so its unlikely that she passed anything to you, especially if you have both had at least first vaccines.
Many people have been so careful and alone for so long, that now we are venturing out again it does feel a little strange and frightening.
I've worked through the last year and seen customers daily but insisted on either outdoor meetings or mask wearing, and by being very careful I have managed to avoid catching Covid.

DianaT1969 · 21/04/2021 11:17

I don't think anything people say here will help. On a conscious level you already know the risk is low. You may even be vaccinated and not in a risk category. After a year of restrictions, you have to evaluate what life and living means for you.

UhtredRagnarson · 21/04/2021 11:18

Could you calm down please?

AnnieAnoniMouse · 21/04/2021 11:18

(((HUG)))

I'm sure you'll be fine. M&S should have been big enough that IF they had Covid (and the chances in most places are pretty low right now) that it would have dissipated quite quickly.

& I presume you chatted to the other lady outside?

Try not to worry!

I do understand though. I've basically shielded/been extremely careful, but a few times have ended up in situations where I have worried (Drs/hospital appointments mostly) and I've counted down the 14/10 days a bit nervously. Thankfully I've been ok

I have my second vaccination on Saturday and although even after 3 weeks I'll still be very careful, it'll be another defence against it and these brief interactions won't worry me so much.

RainingBatsAndFrogs · 21/04/2021 11:21

OP, a person without anxiety would not worry at all about this, they would be calm.

The issue is not risk.

If you can, calm down.

It is safe to be calm about this.

AnnieAnoniMouse · 21/04/2021 11:21

@UhtredRagnarson

Could you calm down please?
Well done!!

I forgot the OP Asked!!

@QuietBatPeople1. Calm down!!

PainterInPeril · 21/04/2021 11:23

@QuietBatPeople1 Aw, I understand and sympathise. Anxiety is horrible, and covid has made everything so much worse. I decided not to read up too much about covid, I didn't want to become obsessed with it. As it happens, I'm still very anxious about it.

Please don't keep checking for symptoms, or reading about it as that will just tie you up in knots. I'm sure you'll be ok.

Do you have anxiety in general or is it just about covid?

Original poster
QuietBatPeople1 · 21/04/2021 11:28

@AnnieAnoniMouse - it was SimplyFood so not as large as the department store, hence the reason I’m worried

Yes the chatting was outside in the common

@PainterInPeril I do have anxiety but the last year has heightened it 😔 so it’s worse now

@DianaT1969 no not vaccinated- I turned 40 this month so not sure where that puts me in the queue

Thank you all for being kind and understanding-

I woke up today convinced that I’ve been exposed and struggling to shake that thought off.

OP posts:
EileenGC · 21/04/2021 11:28

Do the maths. How low are your local rates? Let’s say, 20 per 100k. That’s a 0.0002% chance of the people you crossed paths with being infected. Now lower that by more than half because contact was outdoors. Keep lowering because in the unlikely event they were infected, they might not yet be infectious, or are past that stage. Account for about half of them having had a test recently. We’re now looking at a 0.00002% chance.
Even if your rates were over 200, that’d still only be a 0.0002% of you catching it at this point in time.

WrapUpWarm2021 · 21/04/2021 11:31

Well done on making an effort.
I think the more you challenge yourself, notice you don't get ill and cases are low generally the better it will get.

It has done for me.Flowers

WrapUpWarm2021 · 21/04/2021 11:33

If you go running you are in better shape than the majority of the population, so hold onto that thought.

AssassinatedBeauty · 21/04/2021 11:33

It's great that you are getting CBT and have spoken to your GP about this as well. What you're feeling is part of the anxiety, just hooked onto covid as that's what's around atm.

SeaToSki · 21/04/2021 11:56

Anxiety is such a hard load to carry. Well done on challenging yourself. Now what challenge are you going to do today? You took that hard first step, you should keep going or you wont make the most of it. Can you go for another run, but with a friend? Can you book a hair appointment, can you go for a drink in the garden of a pub?

Keep going, you can do it, you are stronger than the anxiety.

Original poster
QuietBatPeople1 · 21/04/2021 12:19

@SeaToSki it really is a hard load. I was planning to push myself to stand out of my car for a bit longer to when collecting my daughter from school as supposed to only jump out when I see her coming down the path

But the worry now has made me lose my confidence a bit

OP posts:
minniemomo · 21/04/2021 12:21

The good news is that the vaccine is highly effective, the research showed only a couple of dozen hospitalisations post vaccine! As a 40 year old you should be eligible in the next week or so.

SeaToSki · 21/04/2021 13:00

Quietbat, what a good idea to stand out for a bit longer at the school pick up. Go for it, I really think you can do it. Maybe set a timer on your phone for 5 mins before your DC come out and then when it goes off just get out of the car and focus on some quiet breaths of the fresh air.

Anxiety is a battle best fought in small steps, BUT it is much much easier if you take a step every day. The beast (the anxiety) will try and push you back in your cave of fear, but everyday you need to take one step back towards the light.

Grit your teeth and go for it

AnnieAnoniMouse · 21/04/2021 14:45

Even if it was a smaller Simply Foid one, that's still a lot of sir fir it to dissipate in AND that's assuming any even had it, which isn't is high risk at the moment. What's your xx/100,000 at the moment?

That doesn't entirely stop me worry, but it certainly helps a LOT.

Standing outside of your car at pick up is an 'easy win!' You CAN do that. As long as you're not licking the children as they walk past you, there's virtually zero risk ZERO.

Let us know how you get/got in with that!!

Original poster
QuietBatPeople1 · 21/04/2021 17:44

@AnnieAnoniMouse
0-2/100,000

Update-
Still very worried and anxious I’ve either caught in the shop or by talking to that lady( she has teenagers which makes me worry more)

I didn’t want to step out of the car but made myself do it and stood at the end of the path for 2-3 mins.

Came back home and still feel anxious- but I’m pushing myself to go for my run/walk now

OP posts:
Spr0cker50 · 21/04/2021 17:54

Pick up some lateral flow test kits or order them online you get a box of 7. Then you will know within 30 minutes and be reassured by negative result. Which from what you've told us you will get

Original poster
QuietBatPeople1 · 21/04/2021 17:59

@Spr0cker50 yes I’ve ordered test kits

OP posts:
lljkk · 21/04/2021 18:06

From what I understand about anxiety, nothing we say can calm you, OP.
Ordering & taking tests will not calm you.
Negative on the test will not calm you.
No facts we say can calm you.

You have to deal directly with whatever is the mechanism that causes the anxiety - to get calmer.