Getting really scared.

[grasshopping]

Hello,
Please bare with me - I have extreme, medicated anxiety and I'm feeling completely overwhelmed.

Over the last week or so, more and more people I know are testing positive for covid. It's becoming really overwhelming and I'm so scared it's beginning to cause me horrible, worsening anxiety. (I am already medicated for extreme anxiety and OCD)

I am getting so scared. How can the world be going back to normal in less than 3 hours, yet cases seem to be soaring and will undoubtedly soar even more so once things begin to open up, and masks and social distancing rules are for the most part, scrapped / discretionary?!

I am also so worried about how covid can affect those that are double jabbed.. as everyone I know that has it currently, is double jabbed!!

Has anybody that is double jabbed had covid? My partner and I are both overweight, quite largely, and I am so scared that although we are double jabbed, this could still be fatal for us if caught let alone passing it onto others.

I am so sorry if this sounds rambly. I really suffer with my mental health at the best of times but covid has just about pushed me over the edge and I don't know where to turn.

@WildSwimming101 I am awaiting therapy / counselling st the moment. I've been on their waiting list since November 2020 - still not heard back to say when I will be receiving help. The whole country is struggling in one way or another I think, so I'm really not surprised that there is a long list! Hoping it will help though.

More recently I've found myself getting very back OCD urges, 'if I don't do this, so-and-so will get hurt' for example. Really struggling to keep my mind rational. I know deep down if I don't flick that light switch on and off 5 times before bed, so-and-so isn't going to get hurt, but I can't stop myself from doing it anyway 'just in case' the OCD combined with my anxiety is just a killer. X

My DH is very overweight and started slimming world this year. Covid was a big fear for us too. He is 5 stone down! He has a long way to go and the weightloss is slow and steady at the time but if you can stick at the plan you should see results in no time, the closer you can get to your target BMI the better you will feel. Good luck with it all.

@VaccineSticker thank you so much for being so kind! I will definitely look on Amazon for those books. Anything to help me understand my own mind / what I'm feeling is a great start! It's so complex.
I love crochet (strange for my age I suppose!!) but it keeps me busy and occupied and I get a lovely finished result at the end! So I will try to get stuck into more crochet. I love reading, too so I'll probably treat myself to a new book to keep me busy! 🥰

I know lots of people who have it / had it recently. None of them particularly poorly.

Think of your jabs like swimming lessons - it won't stop you falling in the pool but you're very well equipped to deal with the water.

I don't think any of us can help you with anxiety. It's not rational, from my experience. It doesn't respond to reason if it doesn't want to.

SW distraction may help shift your focus.

Otherwise GP - you're not bothering anyone. GP surgeries aren't dealing with covid patients

Do check with your doc again with re to the referral as they sometimes get lost. Don’t ask me how, but my in laws have lost three referrals in the last 4 years that they had to chase up.

@Jent13c wow that is incredible, well done to your DP! What a brilliant weight loss. I am so looking forward to starting ☺️

I know some double vaccinated people that have had Covid. They have felt a bit rubbish but are ok. You will be ok.

One thing that might make you feel great is walking about. If you like books, what about a book on tape and going for a stroll for an hour (or just 30 min) every night? I know it sounds like a super long time, but it will go so fast, the Covid risk is very low outdoors double-jabbed, and you'll get used to seeing people out and about in a very low-stakes environment.

The physical health benefits are there too, of course, but the mental health benefits can't be beat. No need at this point to walk briskly or try to work up a sweat--just walk around listening to a good book, enjoying the good weather and the evening light.

@Nohomemadecandles thank you. That is a really good and positive way of looking at it! I find myself feeling well equipped some days and others completely out of my depth and so worried.
I think it's seeing on social media the sheer amount of people I know, booking nights out clubbing etc it just scares me I think! I couldn't personally think of anything worse right now and knowing we are literally hours off of being 'free' as such, after so long abiding to rules and adjusting to a new way of life, freedom as we once knew it seems so distant now!

One of the worst things for health anxiety - apparently- is people trying to rationalise risk with you. Apparently. I can see that in a way, cos it sort of implies to the sufferer that their anxieties are worthy of investment, time and coddling. IYSWIM. From my own experience I'm pretty sure that is true of anxiety generally actually. The solution is never to rationalise but to address the maladaptive thought processes directly. easier said than done though. But good psychological support is brilliant and will make such a difference. It's likely to help with your weight too - as a fellow overeater and overweight person, I know now the battle isn't about food but about self sabotage and feeling powerless to change things. Good luck with slimmign world

@Nancydrawn thank you, that sounds a lovely idea. I've got two little sausage dogs who love a good stroll (as long as it's first thing in the AM or late evening due to this heat!!) so I can definitely do that, pop my headphones in and go! We are so lucky to live in the countryside so I have lots of lovely places to choose from on my doorstep!

If you are looking for an exercise based program to do from home, then try this. They have a 30 day trial. They are excellent classes.
www.lesmills.com/ondemand/

@Aalvarino yes I can see what you mean! I'm waiting for therapy at the moment so really hopeful that it can make a positive change to my way of thinking 😊

anxiety is a bitch, and tbf you’re not worrying about a hypothetical situation. Can I suggest some practical things you can do?

Identify all the things which you can control and ditch the ones you can’t.
•lose weight. I don’t know whether it’s compatible with slimming world but 18:6, where you have an eating window is really effective and so simple. Low carb along side it and the weight will fall off you.
•Vitamin D, in tablet or spray form but also by getting some sunshine.
•minimise alcohol- no CV connection afaik, but it definitely exacerbates anxiety.
•avoid social media and minimise main stream media. This is general anxiety advice, but really relevant.
•are you doing lft at home? Maybe talk to your hcp about whether that’d be helpful or make things worse.
•do you have a local open air pool? Our local swimming lake has been 19/20, lovely and warm for a 6 weeks now- and you’re never within 2m of anyone and it’s obviously outside.

I’m recovering at the moment. Double jabbed az

It’s been like flu, tired, achey, headachey, sore throat, runny nose and streaming eyes and now coughing constantly with a feeling of something sitting on my chest. I’m probably coughing every couple of minutes. I’ve been ill since Tuesday evening.

So it’s been horrible but not scary. The type of viral illness I’d have expected to get every couple of years anyway.

Anxiety chat rooms you could try www.healthfulchat.org (All anxiety disorders) or anxietysupport.com

It's always worth remembering that chat rooms aren't always well moderated and like all social media can be trolled. However, you might find them helpful or another tool to try when you're feeling particularly panicked or want to speak to like minded people.

Wishing you well

@Etinox thank you so much for your help and suggestions- they all sound wonderful! Luckily I don't drink alcohol as I have an intolerance - so I can happily go without that!
I wish we had a swimming lake that was local to us! We have the broads.. but not sure how warm that is and also how safe as it often has a very strong underlying current. I will look into some other options r/e swimming as I really do enjoy it 😁

@HasaDigaEebowai I'm sorry to hear that you're unwell, but glad it hasn't been too awful for you. In the nicest way possible, I am glad to hear it isn't tooo bad! It's a relief to hear ❤️

I'm about 7 stone overweight and have only received my 1st dose vaccine, also suffering from a bit of health anxiety since childbirth. I'm currently recovering from covid and, as a pp mentioned, it felt like a bad head cold that was helped by paracetamol, fluids and rest. I thought my anxiety would go into overdrive but surprisingly I felt quite calm about it all, sort of like 'it's happened now so get on with it'. I hope your anxiety gets better and good luck with slimming world!

@SmileyClare thanks so much for sending the info :) I will take a look into them! It's always nice to be able to speak to like minded people who can sometimes relate to how you're feeling. I don't really like to speak to people around me about it as I know they've all got their own personal worries / concerns or things to think about, without covid and the stress of it on top! Virtual support sounds great. 😊

I understand your anxiety. My son currently had Covid, has been fairly rough for over a week and he isn't double jabbed (now reconsidering) and my friend's double jabbed 20yr old daughter who tested positive on Friday is much worse, really unwell. They both have friends who are double jabbed who are all catching and transmitting this virus with varying degrees of severity. It doesn't seem to matter if people are jabbed or not :-( I hope you find some respite from your mental anguish OP x

If it reassures you I have covid just and I'm 39. I missed my fist vaccine date and was rescheduled for the day I fell ill.
I have had a rotten 4 days but feel like the worst has past.
I was extra worried as I hadn't had my first vaccine but I'm ok and haven't developed serious illness and anticipate ill be back at work next Monday

@CocoaN sorry to hear that you've had covid and felt unwell! It's good to hear that it hasn't been too bad for you, either. It sounds like the head cold / flu like symptoms are common for those that are jabbed, which is (in the nicest way possible!!) a relief to hear.
🥰

@Cakeofdoom sorry to hear your son is not very well, and of course your friends daughter too. That's what concerns me, there definitely seems to be varying severities and those that are double jabbed still feeling absolutely horrendous / getting extremely unwell. It's all so concerning.

@misssunshine4040 oh god that's awful, how typical as well that your first jab was rescheduled.. I really hope you begin feeling better soon. It's good to hear the worst seems to be over for you now. Sending love and well wishes. X