Anyone had Covid & struggled with MH during recovery?

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I am recovering from a nasty bout of Covid. I was lucky enough to stay out of hospital, but needed to call GP and 111 to help with nausea and breathlessness. I am mostly physically recovered several weeks later, but still have fatigue, loss of appetite etc.

What I'm really struggling with is anxiety. I feel a bit haunted by how ill DH and I were, & how scary it is to be seriously ill. I keep going over those terrible days in my mind and how I lost all ability to function. I find myself really missing my sense of smell, and my appetite, and I worry that I'll never go back to being 100%.

Anyone else experienced this, and what helps you?

Not recent, but I had Covid last Christmas and I really struggled in the way you describe. I was similar to you, not hospitalised, but one night my husband was on the verge of calling an ambulance as I was struggling with my breathing. I honestly thought I was going to die and I’ve never been so scared. I was ill for 5 weeks in total and I did feel traumatised for quite a long time afterwards. I didn’t do anything specific but that feeling of trauma went away eventually. Came back the night that I had my first vaccine and I had Covid symptoms again though. It sucks, but you will get through it. Sorry I don’t have any more advice to give x

Thanks Baby. Good to know it improved for you.

Yes, this was me. I got sick in March 2020. It was pretty traumatic.

Time has helped, as did the support of other mumsnetters at the time. I do still get a bit emotional about it though.

Thanks Porcupine. I find it comforting to know I'm not the only person who's experienced this. You are the second person to tell me that it gets better with time, which is so good to hear.

The majority of trauma resolves naturally. Your brain needs a bit of time to process the experience, that's all. Same as your body needs to recuperate.

Give yourself compassion and stay connected to other people and things that you enjoy (however small) in the meantime.

If you find yourself re-living what happened or worrying about what might happen, it helps to reconnect to the present. It's sometimes called "grounding" .

For instance, noticing how the floor feels under your feet or how your chair is supporting your body. Controlled breathing exercises to calm your heartrate (there is an app called Breathe that you could use).

The 5-4-3-2-1 technique where you notice/name 5 things you can see, 4 things you can see, 3 things you can touch, 2 things you can smell, 1 thing you can taste. (Or however you want to match your senses).

The scary thing is in the past, in the present moment you are safe. Bring yourself back to the present not the past or the future.

Thank you x