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

I know this post is from a while ago but just wondering how long it took for things to settle back down anxiety wise

Hi i know this was posted a while ago was just wondering how long it took for your anxiety to calm down im currently experiencing the same!

@KWC Hiya, my anxiety settled within a couple of weeks if the initial virus. Hope this helps x

Bless you and thankyou for replying :) im day 8 of the virus so hopefully a few more days and ill feel better x

@KWC I'm sorry your feeling rubbish, I've had COVID I believe 3 times, the first time was what prompted me to make this thread,
It's never fun being unwell, but the subsequent times I caught COVID I didn't have the constant anxiety to the point i did the first time round.

I do have contamination OCD, and that feeds my anxiety, however that was beginning even before I caught COVID for the first time but it is directly to the COVID times, being told over and over and over again to wash your hands etc that is something I struggle with to this day. It didn't come about because I caught COVID though.

Hugs, it's not nice.

Ive been on sertraline for years for my anxiety and i remember being poorly last year and the same thing happened as if my tablets were just not working! I need to try and just ride it out i guess i increased my dosage last time i dont feel the anxiety is as bad but its the constant nausea and lack of appetite, i think if i could eat i would feel better! Thankyou for taking the time to rey to me ;) x

@KWC I was the same in terms of eating, it takes your appetite away, try something small and easily digestible like soups or toast, although I know at times it feels like your chewing cardboard when it comes to toast, get yourself some complan shakes or milkshakes that will give you some energy etc.
It isn't nice but you are on the end of it now even if it doesn't quite feel like it right now, keep reminding yourself that it won't last forever, this time next week you'll feel so much better!

Anxiety is horrible you have my sympathy x

Yeah i know im hungry my tummy is making loads of noises and growls but i am just struggling to get anything down, although i have a had a banana this morning i still feel so nauseous! Im abit lost in the post but did you say about 3 weeks before you felt better? Thankyou i had never experienced anxiety until about 4 years ago and it completely ruined me for about 3 months until i got put on sertraline and it kicked in, i think the fear is always in my mind that they will stop working and ill live like that forever, my brain cant seem to remember all the good times knbetween all of thses blips especially when your in the midst of it! X

@KWC nooo you'll feel much better before 3 weeks, as soon as your better from COVID the anxiety starts to go away as well, you'll probably have slight worry left over for a while but it shouldn't be debilitating for you. It should settle down to what your baseline is. Xx

Aww thankyou for the encouraging words, ive managed a little soup just before im starting to feel abit better anxiety wise as the day goes on but im still exhausted from the uphightness from the morning! I will get there just gotta keep going best i can :) thankyou again thiugh it does make me feel better having the encouragement of someine who has also been through the same thing! X

How long did the anxiety take to clear away after this if you can remember?

How long did the anxiety take to clear away after this if you can remember?