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.

Old, fat and a heart arrhythmia condition which is exacerbated by infections, so yes, I am vulnerable and honestly believe that Covid could kill me.
So I have taken as much care and control as possible, working from home, taking vitamin D, using anti viral gel, wearing a mask and snorting a protective barrier powder when I go out.
Working on my weight…

I have had both vaccinations and feel a lot safer for it.
I will go for the boosters as well.

I'm in my 60s and I might die of Covid but then I might die of flu or anything else, I have to die sometime and it will be likely in the next 20 years or so. Who knows.

You won't stop feeling them by attempting to rationalise them away.

I agree with that, with the proviso that many feelings arise from beliefs. If OP can figure out a faulty belief is driving the crazy feeling, and could find a way to change the belief, therefore the feelings would change. So a rationale basis for change after all, when the driving belief is identified.

I’m currently having CBT for health anxiety and I’ve had 2 doses of the vaccine.

I’m still scared it could kill me!

Health anxiety is awful.

@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.

Friends aunt was 94, very frail and ticked several boxes on the CEV list. She was poorly for a few days then as fine as ever.

Have you covered the “intolerance of uncertainty” yet? I think that’s definitely what covid is. Because we can’t know 100% that it won’t kill us, we catastrophise. If someone could tell me it categorically would not kill me then I wouldn’t worry.

41. Normal BMI. Not particularly concerned about it.

I am in the high risk category and not fully vaccinated yet. I have been and still am being extremely careful. It is a worry to me catching it as I have two under two and it would be a struggle if we got very ill aside from the worry of long covid. I don’t think you are unreasonable to worry or be careful. When you are fully vaccinated though you should feel significantly safer at that point, if you don’t, maybe then I would consider you to be overly worried as most afford a good level of protection especially if you get a mra one. You are right to seek treatment if the anxiety is impacting on your quality of life but at the same time I don’t think it’s totally irrational to be anxious in these times. I don’t think I will die from Covid for sure but I am also aware I am more likely to than someone’s with no health issues. Really though I just don’t want to catch the bloody thing because it sounds very unpleasant!!!

Genuine question
No judgement

If you are very overweight (largely due to diet choices and lack of any meaningful exercise) and have health anxiety - why don’t you do the main thing that will tangibly improve your health. Lost weight?

I know it can’t be easy, but I’m baffled at notion that someone can have a BMI through the roof and petrified of covid and yet still eat badly and not do any meaningful movement.

And that is baffled and not…. Judgey

Having worked outside the home from the beginning and in cv group, I came to terms with the risk early on. I have been of the opinion that covid would not treat me kindly.
However, it didn't provoke huge anxiety in me.
Surely catastrophising is little to do with the actual risk and more to do with your perceived risk and anxiety over that, so I don't get how a survey helps.

I'm 33 and overweight. No I dont think I would die from covid. I worked face to face with the public when heavily pregnant last autumn / winter.

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

She's right.

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

She was speaking factually
You are catastrophising
You are over estimating your risk. Wildly infect.

OP @Noreana this sounds like a horrible way to live and I sympathise.

To give you my thoughts (I am higher risk that you). I am in the most vulnerable category-I have an organ transplant so take drugs to lower my immunity, I also have a higher than normal BMI and am pregnant.

I was on the shielding list and I have to say the first set of letters scared the crap out of me. It was along the lines of 'if you want some fresh air, open a window but don't go outside'.

My risk is much higher than yours-1/9600 death and 1/388 hospitalisation.

I have been enjoying the freedoms as I can and simply managing the risks as I see them. I wear a mask, I carry hand sanitiser around, I keep my distance from people. There isn't much more that I can do.

I am now double vaccinated so now have a lot more confidence but even before then I would simply try and assess each risk as I came across them. Some I decided weren't worth taking but most I just try and minimise the risk to myself.

Hi OP - would it help you to know your actual estimated risk calculation in relation to covid? I'm having CBT at the moment (not covid or health related) and have also been told for my worries it sounds like I may be catastrophising and overestimating risk. I am not sure how much it would help me to know how other people feel in the same position (as my stupid brain would probably find a way to tell me we're different) but actually what the risks are thought to be would be good. That would help cut through some of the uncertainty which can lead you to think things are worse than they are.

With covid there are such calculators and I think you'd be pleasantly surprised by the results. I used it for my 70+ year old parents with health conditions and the estimated risks were reassuringly low.

Also, regarding your therapist saying you're carastrophising/overestimating risk, those are known behaviours to do with anxiety so don't take it as a judgement targeted against you - I know it does sound a bit patronising at first!

I'm in my late 40s. I was obese until recently, and it did make me anxious. I've managed to lose some weight and got my BMI down to 27, so far; I've also now been double-jabbed so I feel relatively confident about my chances.

Perhaps if you started a fitness/healthy eating plan it would make you feel more in control - it worked for me, I felt I was doing something about it and improving my chances, and I feel generally much healthier now I am not carrying as much excess weight, which helps my morale.

I'm working on my diet, but would recommend exercise to anyone struggling with anxiety about health. It's less emotional (for some people, including me) than food, and it feels proactive, rather than not eating which feels passive and makes me feel more vulnerable. I know we are all different blah blah, but this has worked for me. Now I'm stronger and lifting some decent weights, I am more inclined to see food as fuel and not comfort. Also giving up booze from today.

Sorry, if this is unwanted advice op, and I would never judge anyone for their weight issues. I'm overweight myself. But maybe it will help someone.

@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!

OP - I'm 39 with the same BMI and I absolutely understand how you feel. I got covid in January and I was terrified that I would die. Truthfully, I think the anxiety made my covid experience worse. I was quite sick suddenly - I must have had it for a week or so and then I tested (I didn't have any of the normal symptoms but the Zoe app sent me for a test) and the day after I got my positive test I went rapidly downhill. I suspect that a part of that was the absolute fear I was going to die. I didn't though! I did get antibiotics because they thought it may have progressed to pneumonia (I coughed up something that looked like blood at one point just once) but I never saw a doctor. I was better within a week and it took a couple weeks to get my breath back when climbing stairs etc. I had blood tests run for something else a few weeks ago and they ran everything and there is no hint of inflammation, organ damage or ongoing issues (I know bloods can't tell everything but they do usually indicate if something is amiss in the body) although - my hair did thin and I'm blaming the covid on that one (looks to be recovering now) So yes, I perceived huge risk to myself from covid, I don't want to get it again, I've had my first vaccine, but I think that fear actually contributed to how unwell I felt. I was scared fo go to sleep and scared I would go to hospital and leave my 12 month old baby at home and I was distraught. I don't think I would have been as bad if I wasn't mentally battling those fears - I would have just put my head down and felt rubbish and stayed in bed for a week. I'm so glad you're getting help, because the way we feel isn't right and it's not how everyone else feels and our mental health has such an impact on our physical well-being too.

@Onthegrapevine

Have you covered the “intolerance of uncertainty” yet? I think that’s definitely what covid is. Because we can’t know 100% that it won’t kill us, we catastrophise. If someone could tell me it categorically would not kill me then I wouldn’t worry.

This is an interesting point and one I think you should bring up @Noreana. past that I’m not sure how helpful it is for people to keep telling you you’re catastrophising; surely you already know that hence seeking help

In answer to your question I don’t think covid would kill me no, however, I do think my DP (40’s) and DF (70’s) have raised odds because they both have multiple risk factors. My anxiety for their health has risen during peaks when the hospitals have been under pressure and I am less certain of the help available should they fall ill (and not just with covid). My DF has expressed concerns but DP less so although has been compliant with restrictions. I should point out that DP has a history of brushing off health issues as nothing to worry about and then ending up at crisis point. He was also surprised at being caught as a contact isolation and told me he thought all of this would just pass us by. I think between us we cover either end of the scale in terms of concerns over covid; I’m a natural risk assessor, he is not.

I think personal experience and history are relevant in that how previous health emergencies have affected you/others will colour how you perceive your risk with regards to covid.

Vaccinations and suppression of the virus have both gone a long way in easing my concerns.

I had it in the third trimester of pregnancy which is considered risky. I felt ill, but didn't need medical attention at all.

I have a very high BMI but working on it. No other health issues. Double vaccinated.
I’m concerned and I do get health anxiety, but I do not think I will die if I get it as the statistics seem to suggest i have done all I can (weight won’t just drop off but I am working on it) to reduce my risk.
I’m taking daily doses of Vitamin C, zinc and D.

Hi im 32 slightly over weight put on two stone due to comfort eating since covid and i think exactly the same as u im petrified and i have two children amd managed to keep us as safe as possible since covid came about i even clean my shopping etc however now both my children have covid and i feel like im living in hell cleaning 24-7 worried 24-7 for them and for me i really am praying i dont get it but my son had it ten days later my daughter has it and it's impossible to get rid of the germ entirely from my house so even tho it may sound silly and over dramatic i myself do think like u and its hell !

I'm diabetic and in my forties, as well as having a high BMI. I've never been afraid that I would die, because all the way through the pandemic the odds have been massively in my favor (about 2% of people my age die even without the vaccine, which means 98% of people my age live). Now I've had 2 doses of the vaccine I am confident that those risks are even less.

I do worry slightly that I will catch it and feel ill for a few weeks, or that I might be one of the unlucky ones who develop long covid, but dying from it is not a worry for me. I've been working in classrooms with 30ish kids in for most of the year (not during the lockdowns, obviously) and at times it's been pretty scary that I had no way to avoid all the things we were told to avoid like crowded places indoors.

Nope I don't think I will die from it..I had it last year and had one day of feeling really shit and the other days I just felt rough like any other illness. At no point did I feel close to death.. im now double vaccinated. Also, if I do die prematurely of something- anything, then it is what it is. Iv genuinely had an amazing 35 years of life and had so many great times, so I have made the most of it. Once im dead I won't know, so what's the point worrying.

Overweight BMI, early 40s. Not worried. We all die from something.

I have an immune system disorder and also lung scarring from multiple bouts of pneumonia. The pneumonia caused asthma, in the winter the cold air makes me cough so for years I’ve worn a face mask in cold weather and I try to minimise my time outdoors if it’s chilly. A simple cold that makes the rest of the family mildly ill will leave me choking and struggling for breath for weeks. I have no doubt that Covid would have killed me if I’d caught it before I was vaccinated. Even now I’m nervous and scared that my vaccine will wear off. I’d happily swap my level of risk for yours OP. If you have healthy lungs you’ll be ok.