Unvaccinated and dd positive

[Whataboutme21]

I have really bad health anxiety which has stopped me from getting the vaccine. ( I have tried, ended up walking out a walk in centre last week after a panic attack )

My dd tested positive on Monday, and was thankfully only ill for 2 days. I’m now struggling to control my anxiety as I’m convinced I’m going to catch it and it’s going to be my own fault if I get really ill.

No idea why I’ve posted this, I’m just struggling to sleep because of it.

All you can do is look after yourself OP. Worrying and not sleeping wont do you any good will it. Dont worry, you probably wont even get it...and even if you did, it could be very mild. Nobody knows as everyone reacts differently...but there is zero use stressing. Get a good nights sleep, look after yourself this weekend. You are OK.

Try not to worry. Lots of people had this virus before they were vaccinated. The vast, vast majority were fine. You might not even get it but if you do, believe that you will be ok. It’s your anxiety getting the better of you.

@Valhalla17 thanks, it’s what I needed to hear. I’ve been ok the last few days as was more concerned about dd but I’ve just had a bit of a wobble tonight.

@WinTheNight yes it’s definitely my anxiety getting the better of me. I’m going to try and keep busy the next few days (as much as I can being stuck isolating ) and try not to think about it.

If you recognise it’s the anxiety rather than any actual massive risk, it might help. Along with keeping busy, that sounds like a good plan.

I’m not vaccinated either, I don’t feel overly concerned.

I hope your daughter recovers quickly, it sounds like she’s over it?

Hi OP. In case you want to think about getting vaccinated again once you’re out of self isolation, one of my DCs has needle phobia. She got vaccinated at a hospital hub, and was able to lie down for the jab. The staff were very supportive. Not sure if you have an issue with needles, but just to say maybe try a hospital hub and explain how anxious you are if you want to try again. Glad to hear your DD has made a quick recovery.

Thank you, it’s not an issue with needles it’s the fear of a blood clot.

I know the risk is tiny and I’m being irrational but I’ve just not been able to get past it yet. Doesn’t help I can only get AstraZeneca (I’m in Scotland and have asked for Pfizer but been told no). I am going to try again once I’m out of isolation and I’m hoping I’ll be able to go through with it.

Did manage to fall asleep eventually and feeling less anxious this morning so thanks everyone

Good news - you’d probably know by now if you’d caught it. Delta is much quicker than the other variants.

Bad news - covid itself can also cause blood clots. I know someone in her 40’s who was recovering from covid who then went on to die from a blood clot it caused. That’s not to worry you more, as I think you have avoided it this time, but to reassure you that it’s important to get the vaccine.

If it helps reassure you in any way you are more likely to be murdered, within the next month, than get a blood clot from the vaccine:

www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-56665396.amp

I completely understand health anxiety and have it myself to a lessor degree, but are you worried about being murdered in the next month?

I’m sure the risk of getting a blood clot from COVID is greater than getting one from the vaccine.

I would urge you to try again to get the vaccine as cases could rise during the Autumn months.

If you have health anxiety then the best thing you do you is Stop spending time on social media and get the jab. You will get the best protection you could get.
You can’t carry on being scared from covid for the rest of your life.
Every time you go out you are risking catching it.

I get health anxiety too, totally understand where you're coming from. Ask your GP to refer you for Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, it's really good. A phone call each week going over methods of handling emotions, thoughts and feelings, and understanding why you feel as you feel. Soooo helpful! In this scenario for myself, I'd use Theory A vs Theory B. Good luck!

@orchardgirl4

I get health anxiety too, totally understand where you're coming from. Ask your GP to refer you for Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, it's really good. A phone call each week going over methods of handling emotions, thoughts and feelings, and understanding why you feel as you feel. Soooo helpful! In this scenario for myself, I'd use Theory A vs Theory B. Good luck!

I actually had CBT years ago which really helped me get my anxiety under control and I was able to come off medication (it’s really GAD I have rather than health anxiety) it’s just been since Covid appeared I’ve been struggling again and not using the methods I’d learned.

I’ve still got the books etc from the course I did so I think I’m going to look them out and try to get this back under control! Thanks

Like a PP said, it is a good idea to revisit what you learned in CBT to get you through these next few days.
If you daughter is no longer ill, you may have got away with not catching Covid from her anyway.

If/when you choose to have the vaccine, what I did was to make sure I drank loads of water and didn't cross my legs when I was sat down, and after the 15mins made sure I moved plenty. But those were my tactics before CBT. And bring something to distract yourself. Prep what works for you.

Is it not possible to talk to a doctor about getting some kind of strong anxiety meds that will enable you to get the vaccine? Just something you could take on the day itself that might get you through it?

@XenoBitch

Like a PP said, it is a good idea to revisit what you learned in CBT to get you through these next few days. If you daughter is no longer ill, you may have got away with not catching Covid from her anyway.

Or you may have had it mildly or already be immune. Sorry you’re feeling so worried. Health anxiety is crap.