Mask and panic attacks/ sensory overload

[Teafirst]

Firstly please know I'm not going to stop wearing one, but I'd be super grateful for any hints and tips to make it less panic inducing.

I've started feeling - overwhelmed when I wear a mask. I wear glasses too and taking them off helps a little, but I feel like there's too much stuff on my face. I kind of feel full like I can't take in anything else and if I need to listen to the children or take information in l, I just can't. Then I started feeling like I couldn't breathe either. I know it's stupid, I've got this far always wearing one, what's gone wrong? I honestly feel slightly unhinged typing this out but I just wondered if anyone else felt like this and how you coped.

Obviously masks are going to be around for a while yet, and I need to wear one for school and nursery drop offs and if I have visitors in my office. So far I've excused myself if I can, gone outside and tried to regroup without mask before starting again. But by the end of the day everything just feels too much - a bit like when a baby cluster feeds and is on you all day. I don't even really know if I'm describing this well,it's awful, physically awful.

The glasses makes it tougher. Do you find the disposal ones better? A bit lighter on your face?

They do seem to make it worse. I've only worn the disposable ones a few times, I've got cotton washable ones. I could pinch one of the emergency disposable ones we've got in the car, try that tomorrow.

Try some hypnotherapy for your anxiety and panic. It can make such a massive difference to your life when you can control your irrational fears.

You are obviously exempt so if you’re not going to help yourself by not wearing one then I don’t know how anyone else can help.

I'm the same - I get too hot, can't hear, feel suffocated and like you, can't take anything in. My glasses slide off my face because of the mask too.

After having another panic attack wearing a mask and glasses (and needing rescued by my lovely DH) I am done. I will try to wear a mask, but if I feel panicked and totally overloaded then I'm taking it off.

I've exhausted myself with this since the whole thing started as I have always tried but enough is enough now. Quite happy to keep my distance and wash hands but I have to take the mask off before I melt down.

Try some FFP2 masks. They don't need to be single use. The benefit is that there is space insie the mask around your nose and mouth and they are actually superior at stopping Covid getting in.

Mine fit really well and when I breathe you can see the mask move in and out.

It feels much more like not wearing a mask than wearing a cloth one or a cheap disposable blue one.

www.boots.com/boots-protective-ffp2-nr-face-masks-5s-10292473

Personally I'd admit defeat and not wear one. That is way too stressful. No idea how you go about getting an exemption.

Switch to FFP2/N95 masks! Not only are they much easier to breathe in, they also provide far better protection than surgical or cloth masks.

I find you need to avoid getting too out of breath while wearing the mask, which will only make the sensory overload worse. So don't put it on while rushing or too far from a shop. If you really need air, you can easily pull the mask a few cm from your face and breathe normally (not possible with surgical ones).

@MaudieandMe you see I wouldn't have said I was frightened or anxious! But I suppose it's irrational and subconscious rather than tangible.

@JenniferAlisonPhilippaSue am I though? Do I need a GP letter? I guess I'll have a Google. I didn't consider that.

@EddieVeddersfoxymop I'm sorry you're experiencing something so similar. I think you're right though.

@ShadesOfMagenta I'll try those, thanks for the suggestion.

@HollyBollyBooBoo I don't know either, I'm going to have a look once packed lunches are made and washing done.

Sounds to me as if you have got a good enough reason not to wear one especially now the pandemic seems to be subsiding.

I get like this - I declare a mask exemption as much as possible - but if I absolutely have no choice (healthcare settings mainly), then I use a disposable one with a silicone mask cage which pulls it off my mouth a bit and cuts down on that element of distress.

It's shit.

I used to take myself outside to remove my mask when it got overwhelming. The toughest time was when I was in the hairdressers with foils over my face, the mask and glasses. I ended up going to the toilet just to have a few minutes without the mask. These days my work and the hairdressers both have a rule that you don't need to wear a mask when drinking so I take it off to have a drink for a few minutes and get my breath back.

You don't need to get an exemption, you just say you are exempt. There is no need to provide proof

Just dont wear one. Anxiety and distress are valid reasons for exemption.

Just don't wear one OP it is that simple, they will shortly be scrapped anyway as the science is dubious at best!

I get a bit like this. It's hard to explain, it's not exactly hurting me but I get a feeling in my face that just makes it seem unbearable to wear a mask for a moment longer. Really horrible. I remember feeling similar as a child in the opticians when they'd put those heavy frames on you to test out different strength lenses. Definitely worse in glasses and doesn't seem to be panic related although I can feel panicky when my glasses steam up too. I find that I can tolerate silk masks a lot better, they are quite expensive, but for me worth it. I still won't go anywhere out of choice if I need to wear a mask though!

Might be useful?

Just don't wear one. A very quick and easy solution.

If masks cause panic attacks then just stop wearing them!!

Seriously, there are lots of people who are exempt for lots of reasons. You don;t need a letter from the doctor. Just remove it when you need to, or don't wear it at all.

if you've previously been ok it might be that you are more stressed at the moment overall ,even subconsciously ,and the mask is a bit like the straw that breaks the camels back. The other thing is how are your hormones at the mo, certainly for me being peri-menopausal has meant I get these sorts of feelings too and sometimes far worse than others so sometimes I have to take my mask down at various points round the supermarket.

I felt like this sometimes with one of my cloth masks. When I switched to ffp2!I found them much better.

This happens to dd sometimes. She is autistic and has sensory processing issues. She wears a mask when she can and doesn't when she can't.

You've described something very similar to my experience. I've found that taking my glasses off helps. I can't see but am less likely to panic. Paper masks without glasses are tolerable enough for me to get into the pharmacy, ask for what I want and then wait outside. I don't go in other shops at all because I have never felt confident enough to claim an exemption. Thanks for sharing OP.

• I realise my comment doesn't help you! But you have helped me feel less like an outlier