This corona virus is sending me over the edge

[brainfogg]

I know no one can tell me it will be ok but I haven’t had anxiety this out of control in about a year. It’s been managed fairly well with meds and I haven’t had any OCD symptoms in ages but it’s all coming back.

I’m washing my hands obsessively, using lots of hand gel, checking the news every 20 mins, not sleeping, last night when DH got back from shopping I wiped every single item with antibacterial spray. Never don’t that before.

My heart is racing constantly, I’m not getting on with things I need to do, I’m debating ordering masks but read they don’t do much. So then I’m thinking get my immune system stronger but what if it mutates into a virus that causes that overreaction of the immune system? Cykotine storm I think. So maybe I’m better not strengthening it too much.

I have a part time job that involves looking after children and am thinking I shouldn’t go because I’m scared I’ll pass it to them or them to me but we need the money.

Sorry for the very long post. I’m in turmoil and I hate that because it’s so selfish of me, there’s people truly suffering and I genuinely want them not to be. I find this world very hard to cope with.

It's hard not to worry OP. I was quite relaxed until I spoke to my colleague in Singapore and Hong Kong again today. Incubation is 24 days they now think, etc etc. ...and we don't live that far away from Brighton.

@zafferana thanks for calming words.

I understand you are in the throes of an anxiety episode and I feel for you. If it helps my brother called to day. He is working not far from Wuhan. While he says the city is “locked down” (to use a phrase I hate), the huge majority of people are absolutely fine. He is bored but otherwise perfectly well and has no intention of coming home. He says the media are completely over exaggerating the dangers. I hope this reassures you a bit.

Don’t read the threads on here. They are really making me feel terrified and I think some posters enjoy that aspect.

I feel the same as you

Hi all, sorry I haven’t replied til now, I took a couple of days break from MN as I was getting in a state, not sleeping again and my heart racing constantly with worry.

@dementedma I hope your brother is ok, must be a worry being near Wuhan, however it’s lovely to read that he’s not panicking and that others are going about their daily business as usual!

The info re children is reassuring too. However I’ve now just read something on Reddit (I know...! 🙈) about that cykotine storm I mentioned in my first post. I’ve been trying to get my immune system strong, but now back to thinking not to bother!

Today has been hard, lots of potential germs everywhere including soft play - eek!! I’ve got an anti viral foam now though so been using that a lot instead of antibacterial. The kids I look after via my nanny job are so lovely, I can’t help but carry on as normal with them, cuddling the little one etc. I literally have to put this virus out of my mind when I’m with them or I’ll be a nervous wreck!

Thanks again for the support and solidarity

Hi brain fog
Glad to hear you are getting through. Good plan to avoid MN for a bit.
Where did you get the anti viral foam. I've only got anti bac. I don't believe in antibacterial because of resistance but in this case.

Take care of yourself and here to help with the worries.

Hey op are you getting treatment for your ocd ??
There is very effective treatments medication, ERP, CBT

People just love to hype these things up and make a huge deal out of it. I think they are bored and want a bit of excitement just like my dh loves to watch things like The walking dead on TV. Obviously they don't care about the effect that might have on someone with some anxiety. Don't get sucked into their silly games OP you would be better off reading some nice books and doing some relaxation.

It’s this one @madeyemoodysmum - www.ebay.co.uk/vod/FetchOrderDetails?itemId=372084144890&transactionId=1169261303024

I can’t for the life of me remember how to make a link clicky on here. Lol. Can anyone help?! I know what you mean about the antibac and whether it’s any good, this stuff feels like it’s doing more somehow. Prob doesn’t kill COVID but if it catches other bugs it’s doing some good.

@Schmoozer I’m not tbh. Well I’m on meds long term, antidepressants and beta blockers but whenever I’ve had CBT in the past on the nhs, they’ve discharged me because I’ve missed two or more sessions due to anxiety getting there. It’s based too far away. And I’m not seeing the psychiatrist I was under because she wasn’t helping unfortunately, everything was centred about medication increases. I will try again maybe with the CBT if they’ll refer me.

@Fannia I know, you’re right and I’m trying not to get sucked in by it. It’s just so difficult, my default mental position is worry first, facts later 😅 Distraction definitely helps, maybe I’ll watch the Walking Dead as I’ve heard it’s amazing!

Oh it’s automatically clickable, didn’t realise!

😷 i know the feeling with germs etc its really starting to take hold over my life. Took dd age 2 to soft play last week. I usualy avoid and now she has bad cold. Which i deal with ok but also a rash on ankle i have a fear of these things spreading. Its like it takes over my body. I dont want to eat and feel sick in the pit of my stomach. Im so ocd with sanitiser etc its not normal i know this. Anyone else get like this. I hate the fear 😭

Hello again all.
Dani what you describe are the physical effects of anxiety. Many others feel the way you do and you are not alone. Well done for getting out with your toddler. She may have got her cold from soft play or elsewhere... you’ll never know. Be good to yourself and this will pass.

This morning on Jeremy Vine channel 5. They had a virologist who was really interesting and I feel loads calmer. If you can get it on catch up I’d recommend watching. He explained everything clearly.

@Danigirl02002 I’m sorry I’m only just seeing this, I have to take regular breaks from MN otherwise I go down corona rabbit holes and end up in a very bad way.
I am so sorry you’re suffering like this, are you having any help at all? Sounds like you’re on edge with this

Thank you @DobbyTheHouseElk going to try to watch this.
I’m struggling again tonight, I’ve now developed eczema on my hand because of washing them so much and it was bleeding earlier which obviously is counter productive. DH went to his parents today and came back saying they’ve both got very bad coughs and bad chests! If I’d known this I’d have tried to persuade him not to go. He isn’t bothered though and gets mad at me when I remind him about regular hand washing. Hope everyone is doing ok, guess we just have to see what happens day to day now.

I was worried too, falling into despair but feeling much better now by hiding CV threads on AIBU and then I made this thread for people who are worried to read facts and info to reassure. Please add to it if you can, any positives are helpful for the cumulative effect. I'm pretty much back to feeling normal now 😊

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3821799-The-Positive-Mental-Health-Corona-virus-thread?watched=1

Thanks @RapidRainbow I did actually post on that thread a few days ago! It’s very helpful so am going to keep up to date with it.
Glad you’re doing a lot better now 🥰

Sorry to post on this but I’m struggling again, very much. I’ve read on here something about how the risk of serious complications is tied to your smoking history and I read a post that hinted that if you’re an ex smoker you’re at even more risk than a current smoker which has freaked me out.

I quit smoking about 6 years ago which isn’t very long really so I’m worried sick and so angry at myself for being such an idiot and doing it in the first place. I wasn’t a very heavy smoker but the damage is probably done now plus I’m about 2 stone overweight and comfort eat to ‘help’ my mental state which I know I shouldn’t. Really feeling like just staying in all the time now.

@brainfogg perspective my love, only Nine people out of over 6000 suspected cases are positive. I'd honestly go about your daily life day by day with the caveat that if cases rise dramatically then reduce contact again. This said by someone who felt the same literally a week ago. Take a look at the recent cases comparison by countries I posted, outside of China area, there has been very few new cases in weeks.

I do really appreciate your reply @RapidRainbow but I’m freaking out unfortunately, have you seen the newest developments in South Korea, Iran and Italy? Seems like it’s taking on a life of it’s own now and the facts seem to be that younger people are indeed becoming very ill from this.
I just don’t know what to do, nobody in my life is sharing even a fraction of my concerns except for my son.

@brainfogg. That sounds so stressful for you. I really feel you need to get some support again for your ocd. It must have been a relief to be free of it for a year and devastating that it’s back so badly now. Hope you can get some peace, your anxiety is causing you all sorts of mischief. Try to stop reading the news if you can. Maybe just stick to nhs direct or public health England.

@KidCaneGoat thanks for replying, yes it’s been an ok few months really of my anxiety and ocd being present but not out of control and now the world suddenly really feels terrifying.
I will speak to the doctors Monday again but I’m not going there and risking interacting with all those germs it would just make me a wreck. I feel I don’t trust the NHS sites, I definitely don’t trust the government and am pissed off at their laid back attitude towards all of this and dishonesty about it not being airborne and that you can spread it asymptotically. Maybe they’ve updated this though will check. I just feel like I can’t relax at all and am cancelling plans now and avoiding going out unless absolutely necessary. Sorry to be so negative

It sounds absolutely exhausting for you. Worrying is so tiring and your body must be on full fight/flight mode all the time. Especially if you have to go out with your job. I really hope you can find a way to accommodate precautions about infection but not have it rule your life.

Yes it’s horrendous, I’m thinking I will have to quit my job if it becomes widespread over here because being around young children is going to be a disaster for the spread of this. I also have children in my family who I’m now avoiding and feel so guilty about this but my anxiety levels after are through the roof and I’m worried that’s not good for my body to be that stressed.

Yes fight or flight mode permanently at the moment. Thank you for talking to me @KidCaneGoat ❤️

Hey BrainFogg. I know how tiring anxiety is. There are good and bad days, right?
Watchful waiting is so hard... but the only thing we can do right now. Just one day at a time now xxxx

Hi @OneOfTheGrundys oh it’s so difficult isn’t it? I’ve been very very down today and had a panic attack earlier followed by a migraine. I know all this anxiety is probably messing with my immune system which is making it even worse and frustrating.
Yes we can only watch and wait.
Thank you xx

We can only control what we can control. So if you are worried take some small practical steps. Good diet, regular meals, a little exercise. All in moderation. It can’t hurt.