Your Covid risk... Do you think you will die from Covid?

[Noreana]

Last week I started CBT for health anxiety.
I’ve lived with it for a long time but have always been able to manage without it having too much of an effect on my life.

Since Covid my health anxiety has been completely out of control.
I didn’t want to seek any help as I just assumed everyone felt the same way.

But last year people my age started to enjoy “freedoms” when lockdown ended and I just couldn’t do it.

I contacted talking therapies and have waited 18 weeks for CBT.

Last week on our first session we discussed what it is that I’m struggling with.

So I said Covid and my risk.
I have a high BMI, no other health conditions.
I’ve had 1 vaccine but had it slightly later than when it was offered to me so second not due for 6 weeks.

I told my therapist I feel very high risk from Covid and I truly believe if I get it, I’m going to die.

She told me I’m catastrophizing and over estimating the danger and my risk (which I found quite patronising)

She told me she is going to do a survey and ask people with my risks, how they feel about Covid and we will discuss next week.

So, I want to hear from people here how they feel and how they perceive their own risk and what their risk factors are.

I am not really worried about COVID. I would not like to get it because it doesn't sound pleasant. But I am not worried that I would die. I think it would be very unlikely for me to die from COVID. I am mid 30s with no health problems although I am pregnant and a bit more concerned due to that - apparently it is more risky in the third trimester.

I probably will get the vaccine even though I don't think COVID is very worrying. Out of the people I know who have had COVID (about 10) about 3 of them have had long term issues resulting from it. Whereas I know many more people who have been vaccinated (40/50 ish?) and none of them have had any reaction that lasted any longer than a few days, max a couple of weeks. I did hear unfortunately of a friend-of-a-friend who died from the vaccine. But in general the vaccine feels lower risk to me.

I was convinced I’d die from it. I’m obese (BMI over 40) and have asthma. I got Covid and was fine! Majority of my colleagues are over 50, overweight/obese and have health problems such as COPD, diabetes and they were all fine! So that’s 60+ people who were all okay.

My mental health was what suffered the most! My anxiety was worse than the symptoms of Covid.

The majority of people who catch Covid have been and will be fine.

You do have risk factors, no one can really say what would happen to you if you got it. Obviously you know this already.

It seems to me but it seems to me this issue is not about how other people feel, so much as you being able to accept and live with risk. That's what the therapist should be tackling. We all live with uncertainty and risk every day. Some people a lot more so than others. The key for you is to be able to tolerate that risk without ruminating on it, avoiding exposure to low risk activities and to be able to live as full and happy life as possible.

I'm age mid 50s. My only increased risk factor is my age.
Compared to most people my age, I have better health. Good BMI, no history of smoking or excessive drinking, no chronic conditions I'm treated for, active life style (etc)

According to the calculators online my risk of death is about 1/32000. Or maybe 1/3200. Anyway, very low. What in the world would make me so special as to be 1/3200? Ditto long covid risk, btw. On the whole I like to avoid unpleasant colds, so that's a good reason to get the jab, tbf.

I'm not that afraid of death, tbh. I want to avoid it but can't do that forever. Quality of life in meantime is hugely important. Can't have good Quality of life if worried all the time.

I don't worry about 1/3200 risks.

I would worry a little bit if I thought the risk of death was > 1/1000. Enough to get the jab on time.

I’m CEV so I’ve not doubt if I got covid that it would kill me. It’s sad that at 31 I have to think like that but it’s true. I’ve got my second vaccine next week but luckily for me all my friends and family have had theirs too.

I’m overweight, diabetic with 2 kids in school / nursery. I’m now fully vaccinated but my perception of risk hasn’t particularly changed since having the vaccine. I don’t feel at all at risk. If I get it, I get it. I don’t want to pause my life so will do whatever is within the restrictions.
One thing I have done though is lose 2 stone which should improve my diabetes

@Noreana

*I think you’re going to find the results surprising if you think the majority of people agree. This is such a good idea from your therapist. She sounds lovely.*

@Mummyoflittledragon

My husband has said exactly the same thing!

See. And all these people also agreeing.

You’re one step closer to cracking this as you’ve identified you have a disproportionate fear of death from Covid and are prepared to do the work to change your perception.

Over 50. BMI 39 , mild asthma and double vaccinated with AZ. I am not worried.

@CharlotteRose90

I’m CEV so I’ve not doubt if I got covid that it would kill me. It’s sad that at 31 I have to think like that but it’s true. I’ve got my second vaccine next week but luckily for me all my friends and family have had theirs too.

@CharlotteRose90, even if you were 90+ and CEV it would be nowhere near certain that it would kill you. This is health anxiety. Please speak to your GP / consultant.

@Postdatedpandemic trust me it’s not health anxiety haha but I appreciate the reply. I know my own body and multiple health conditions but thanks anyway

Never given the slightest of shits about it. I've had it too and it was totally manageable. I'm far more likely to be killed driving, riding my bike or other sports I do and I don't spend my days over-thinking that, otherwise I'd never do anything.

In the early stages I worried I would die of it ( late 50s, morbidly obese though not diabetic or even pre diabetic and no high blood pressure) but more I've had both vaccines I'm much more confident I won't be too ill. I am pretty certain I'll get it at some point now though ,as it becomes endemic

@CharlotteRose90 pps are right. There's literally no way of knowing it would kill you.

Shielded 95 year olds with COPD and one kidney have had it and been asymptomatic.

I've never been scared of it. I'm even less frightened now.

I've counted and I reckon I know around 70 people (friends, family, colleagues, acquaintances) who've had it and ALL of them are fine. Only one was hospitalised for one night, he's mid 60s and obese.

It ranged from feeling like shit for 10 days (my MIL, in her 70s) to loss of taste and smell only. Most of my family didn't have a fever let alone a cough. Most thought it felt like a cold.

@lljkk

I'm age mid 50s. My only increased risk factor is my age. Compared to most people my age, I have better health. Good BMI, no history of smoking or excessive drinking, no chronic conditions I'm treated for, active life style (etc)

According to the calculators online my risk of death is about 1/32000. Or maybe 1/3200. Anyway, very low. What in the world would make me so special as to be 1/3200? Ditto long covid risk, btw. On the whole I like to avoid unpleasant colds, so that's a good reason to get the jab, tbf.

I'm not that afraid of death, tbh. I want to avoid it but can't do that forever. Quality of life in meantime is hugely important. Can't have good Quality of life if worried all the time.

I don't worry about 1/3200 risks.

I would worry a little bit if I thought the risk of death was > 1/1000. Enough to get the jab on time.

@lljkk

My risk was 1/100000 and yet I still excessively worry.

Yet your risk is 1/3200 and you perceive that as very low.

This therapist has got her work cut out with me!! 😣

Nope.
Www.qcovid.org says my risk of catching covid and dying during the first peak of the pandemic was 1 in 55k

That's not a risk I worry about.

@confuseddotcom090

Nope. Www.qcovid.org says my risk of catching covid and dying during the first peak of the pandemic was 1 in 55k

That's not a risk I worry about.

@confuseddotcom090

What makes you not worry? Do you never think you could be that 1?

I thinks that where my brain is faulty.
I don’t see my risk as being 99999 chances of me not dying.
I see it as there’s 1 chance in 100000 I might die and I am going to be that 1.

My risk was 1/100000 and yet I still excessively worry.

Yes, that's the anxiety finding something to latch on to - it convinces you that you will be that "1" and illustrates exactly why well meaning people trying to help are doing the opposite!

I really hope you find some way to control your HA, its no way to live (a close family member of mine has generalised anxiety and really struggled with it).

Are you often the 1/100,000 person?

I know there's no rationality with anxiety.
But why would you be the 1/100k unlucky person & not the 1/100k lucky person?

It never occurred to me that I’d die. I’m old and fat but otherwise in excellent health. I thought if I got it I’d probably be iller than if I was 20 years younger but I didn’t think I’d be hospitalised, let alone die. We obeyed all the restrictions but never did any more than required of us and we’re leading pretty normal lives now we’ve had both vaccinations.

OP I'm older than you but not as big (BMI in overweight category).
I never felt scared of covid, maybe a bit of disquiet initially but that's it. Tbh was far more busy being absolutely terrified of the financial impact on us.

You worrying about the miniscule, one in however many chance of dying from it is absolutely the anxiety.
Almost nothing in life is risk free - every car journey, every time you cross the road. You could hide inside and wind up dying of the inactivity.
The way a healthy brain functions is to pretty much blank out the very small risks or we'd all be paralysed with fear all day.

Unfortunately I think a lot of people have had the fear of god put into them about covid as it was a deliberate government strategy to ensure high compliance so you'll not be the only one feeling that way but it's not normal or healthy no.

I know I'm not going to die of Covid.

30 years old, good health in general but about a stone overweight.

I'm not afraid of it at all and never have been at any point.

@lljkk

Are you often the 1/100,000 person? I know there's no rationality with anxiety. But why would you be the 1/100k unlucky person & not the 1/100k lucky person?

@lljkk

I guess that’s anxiety? I’ve always believed I would have something had happen rather than good.

Hopefully CBT will sort me out!!!

I mean, I do understand, somebody has to be that 1/100,000, so it's not totally irrational to say well it could be me.

But to think it will definitely be me is quite out of proportion, especially if it stops you from doing other things. I find it helpful to contrast risks. I know for example that when I don't see people

Also, when I think about people I know who died unexpectedly - DH lost a friend a couple of years ago in a road accident, my cousin died last year of sepsis following an ordinary infection which would be considered low risk for her age group - would it have been better if they had sat around in their house and avoided those particular risks? No! It was brilliant that they had such wonderful lives, up until they didn't any more. It was dreadfully dreadfully sad that we lost both of them, but I don't regret knowing them or loving them.

If I don't go out, socialise, work, study, travel, achieve goals, meet people, love people - then my life isn't worth living anyway. It's not worth avoiding all of these brilliant things. I might die in a bus accident, a terrorist attack, or of a relatively benign infection. That's life! I accept that risk. I don't do things which are blatantly stupid - I wouldn't play chicken with a train, drive drunk, take drugs etc - but I am happy to accept that there is a risk of death all the time for everyone and I choose to live my life despite that.

@BIWI

I really can't see how this thread is helping you *@Noreana*.

Honestly, and I really do mean this kindly, step away from Mumsnet and do something that will distract you from these thoughts.

This. The therapist is right, you are catastrophising and this thread isn’t likely to help you change the way you think.