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If you used to feel anxious leaving your home before covid-19, how do you feel now?

4 replies

viccat · 29/03/2020 18:26

I'm a long term anxiety sufferer, I think I would describe it as a mix of general anxiety and some degree of agoraphobia - basically I'm hyper aware of any risks that come with leaving the house and have organised my life around staying in as much as possible... Added to this, I've always been an introvert and never really enjoyed "going out" socially other than very rarely.

Last year was particularly bad, basically I rarely left the house and when I did, kind of practised social distancing anyway... (avoided public transport, went out during quieter times of the day etc.)

So now with the coronavirus, I feel like my anxiety has kind of been proven right, if that makes sense? Like now suddenly everyone knows going out and mixing with people and being in crowded places IS dangerous. I used to be able to calm myself a bit by being rational but now, I can't actually imagine ever wanting to go out again even after all this is over...

On the other hand I feel more isolated and "strange" compared to others now that it's so clear from everyone else's reactions that living like this is really, really unusual. I genuinely love being at home and feel happiest at home, but sounds like I'm in a tiny minority. Of course I feel anxious about the virus itself but also I'm probably at a huge advantage compared to most as staying at home is super easy for me.

Anyway just wondered if anyone else was feeling similarly at all?

OP posts:
Purpleclownsuit · 29/03/2020 18:32

I feel worse about actually going outside because of the real risk now rather than my anxiety perceived risk previously. But at the same time I feel much better about staying inside nowadays. Pre COVID there was a lot of pressure to push myself to go outside even though my mental health would suffer a lot afterwards and people would make me feel guilty for choosing to stay in or for being happier inside when I had the option even though it was better for my mental health. Now I can enjoy being inside without having any pressure or guilt looming over me. I’ve found the not having to be somewhere for a certain time like school runs, socially acceptable bedtimes etc is a massive weight off and I genuinely feel the most relaxed I have in years.

I do feel some guilt though in being so happy when this virus is absolutely a terrible thing though.

GreenPop · 01/04/2020 19:02

Scared before and terrified now.
The only good thing is that’s there’s no pressure to go out.

Theodoreb · 01/04/2020 20:41

Same as @Purpleclownsuit loving being able to stay in and not be frowned upon or forced to go out I feel kinda relaxed but I been lucky enough to get shopping delivered if I cannot get it delivered worried I'm going to be sectioned if I have to go shop as I been sectioned in shop at Xmas before now as couldn't cope.

Lynda07 · 09/04/2020 01:24

I'm glad to have an excuse not to go out. I love being a hermit :-).

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