Severe anxiety with covid

[Backachesandheadaches]

On the 10th March I tested positive for covid and I'm still testing faintly positive now, ever since I've been suffering the worst anxiety I've ever had. Nothing Is taking the edge off, I'm on propranolol and cyclizine and duloxetine NONE of it is working. I can't eat, I'm struggling with sleep I go to sleep anxious and i wake in the night anxious and then I wake in the morning anxious. I had severe watery diahorrea yesterday and il probably have it again today. My chest starts to feel uncomfortable, my body feels like it's shaking internally, I'm struggling to watch the TV, or do my housework. If I try to eat it feels like my throat is closing up. I can't even have a cup of tea! I can only drink water! Sometimes I feel like I'm not 'here'
Has anyone else felt like this with covid?

Yes, unfortunately. It was the strangest anxiety I had experienced and I don’t normally suffer from anxiety. It was like my body was just about to sit an exam but my head was ok - very strange feeling. Frustratingly, I seem to have long covid and this is one of the main symptoms I’m having.

2 here tested positive on the 10th, one on the 11th and me on the 14th March. We’ve all been having symptoms now since 8th March, you name it we seem to have it. Wake up each day, not too bad, but exhausted by afternoon and panic sets in by bedtime and I wake up through the night feeling awful. Only by eldest son 29 has had one negative lft yesterday, the rest are still testing positive and in fact are not bothering to test anymore. We aren’t going anywhere apart from dog walks which I hope are helping to get some fresh air.

Are you able to get outside for a walk. Covid really has some dreadful side effects and I think anxiety should be added to the list of symptoms.

Unfortunately yes, thought it also started out as more anger . Two months later I'm exceptionally low and I can't work out if it's covid or because it clearly really messed my system up. My joints have flared and peri symptoms all came back. Some younger colleagues said they felt the same some time afterwards.

Intense insomnia was a factor and I've been up and down hormonally the last month, a month after I caught it. My youngest also seems to have been very volatile for the last month but seems to be coming out if that now.

Just found out this afternoon I have it. Anxiety is through the roof although it has been the last 2 weeks

Yes, same here. Heart palpitations and crushing dread and anxiety. 10 days post positive test

Not at all - what are you anxious about? Where you diagnosed with anxiety previously?

Hi, long term anxiety/severe depressive episodes person here.

I wanted to say that it seems COVID can affect a lot of people's tummies. The stomach and the brain are linked by a large nerve that lies along the bottom of the stomach. Any sort of stomach upset can trigger anxiety.

I would expect what you are suffering from is acute anxiety brought on by COVID. It is awful when in the stage of peaking anxiety but it doesn't last. We can't stay in a state of extreme anxiety all the time, it's just unsustainable.

You need to eat, whether you feel you can or can't. Going hungry worsens anxiety, it just reenforces to your brain that there is something to be anxious about. Low blood sugar can also mimic anxiety symptoms. Eating is non negotiable. Eat whatever you can, as often as you can, such breakfast bars, Ice lollies, smoothies, soup. A sip of something is better than nothing. A mouthful of something is better than nothing.

The feeling of not really being here comes from adrenaline from the anxiety changing your vision. It's a self protection feature that is supposed to allow is to see the quickest escape route when in danger. The best way to stop this, is to work on lowering your anxiety levels. You can do this by not fighting the anxiety. It feels awful but instead of trying to escape it and distract from it, let it do what it's doing and try to remain calm. Basically your anxiety is happening because it thinks something is dangerously wrong. When we stop doing our usual routine, we just encourage it. We need to do what we usually do, to get the brain to realise there is no danger and turn off the anxiety.

So eat. You can, it's just anxiety making you think you can't. If you are able, try to get outside in your garden and gently walk around it. Exercise, no matter how little, helps calm anxiety. Speak to people on the phone, friends, family etc. Go to bed at the same time even if you don't sleep for hours. Avoid anything anxiety triggering, such a googling symptoms, reading the news, listening to emotional music and so forth, don't put negative things in your brain for the anxiety to feed on.

This will pass. It is not permanent, it will go.

Thank you @PurpleThistles - that’s really helpful and makes a lot of sense!

Thank you @PurpleThistles I really needed to hear that too.

@PurpleThistles

Hi, long term anxiety/severe depressive episodes person here.

I wanted to say that it seems COVID can affect a lot of people's tummies. The stomach and the brain are linked by a large nerve that lies along the bottom of the stomach. Any sort of stomach upset can trigger anxiety.

I would expect what you are suffering from is acute anxiety brought on by COVID. It is awful when in the stage of peaking anxiety but it doesn't last. We can't stay in a state of extreme anxiety all the time, it's just unsustainable.

You need to eat, whether you feel you can or can't. Going hungry worsens anxiety, it just reenforces to your brain that there is something to be anxious about. Low blood sugar can also mimic anxiety symptoms. Eating is non negotiable. Eat whatever you can, as often as you can, such breakfast bars, Ice lollies, smoothies, soup. A sip of something is better than nothing. A mouthful of something is better than nothing.

The feeling of not really being here comes from adrenaline from the anxiety changing your vision. It's a self protection feature that is supposed to allow is to see the quickest escape route when in danger. The best way to stop this, is to work on lowering your anxiety levels. You can do this by not fighting the anxiety. It feels awful but instead of trying to escape it and distract from it, let it do what it's doing and try to remain calm. Basically your anxiety is happening because it thinks something is dangerously wrong. When we stop doing our usual routine, we just encourage it. We need to do what we usually do, to get the brain to realise there is no danger and turn off the anxiety.

So eat. You can, it's just anxiety making you think you can't. If you are able, try to get outside in your garden and gently walk around it. Exercise, no matter how little, helps calm anxiety. Speak to people on the phone, friends, family etc. Go to bed at the same time even if you don't sleep for hours. Avoid anything anxiety triggering, such a googling symptoms, reading the news, listening to emotional music and so forth, don't put negative things in your brain for the anxiety to feed on.

This will pass. It is not permanent, it will go.

Currently on day 5 of covid and been feeling much more anxious than normal - taking more kalms pills than painkillers at the minute 😅 over the worst in terms of covid symptoms but left with heavy chest, lightheaded feeling and dreaded anxiety! This response has really helped me today so I just want to say thank you to whoever posted it, it is the most calming, rational and reassuring advice and I so appreciate it. 🙏

To anyone else feeling this at the minute, you are not alone and it will pass. Big hugs to everyone xxxx