There are many here who are anxious about this virus. Good to hear that you have a TDoc and PDoc. Drugs will help but talking and getting to the core of your issues will help most. Most of my improvement has come from the TDoc not the drugs. Did either of your children get Covid-19?

Keep up the journaling. That is something that will help. You will find lots of support here

Welcome oldergal.

I've had anxiety disorder for over 20 years now, and yes, mine has gotten worse since the pandemic started. My area just got put on more lock downs this week. It is a difficult time for a lot of us.

As Thor2008 said, journaling helps a lot. Talking to your friends, family, as much as you can. Staying busy. Practicing self care with eating 3 healthy meals a day, 8 glasses of water, exercise and adequate sleep... all can help you feel better.

Welcome to the board! We look forward to hearing more from you.

Hi older girl, welcome to DS. A lot of people are anxious with COVID and the quarantine and what’s going on in the world right now. You are not alone. Connecting with friends and family can help you stay connected. For a more personal connection try zoom or Webex. Zoom is a little easier to use and has a free service.

Like others mention, journaling can help get your emotions out and help you challenge negative thoughts. Relaxation is key in controlling anxiety. Deep breathing from the lower belly can help relieve the fight or flight instinct caused by anxiety, meditation, gentle exercise like yoga or Tai chi, and doing activities that make you happy. Also posting and connecting here. Below are some articles that can help you understand anxiety and some techniques that can help. I hope you find serenity and peace. Best wishes.

https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/fight-or-flight-response/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/prescriptions-life/201709/7-ways-calm-your-worried-mind-and-reduce-anxiety

Hello Older Gal. Welcome to the forum.

I've dealt with anxiety my entire even older life and I believe that if there is a "typical" for anxiety, it is something like a typical cloud bank which is forever shifting shapes and on its way to someplace else.

Then we get to the "typicals" within the grand social experiment of Coronaville. . . Do we even know what is going on behind the mask next to us in the grocery lines, much less in the living rooms next door? Hard data on those facts are not yet available and even the concept was vague when our current experts were developing their expertise. I hope research is in progress, but ? ? ? The experts seem to be agreed that COVID is the only pathogen in the petri dish these days.

I don't much understand this cowardly new world, but I'm praying we can figure ^it^ out together. Just praying. . . Welcome to the forum. You are not alone.

Welcome to the anxiety board at DS.

Journal writing is the best gift we give ourselves. It gives us a way to express our feelings, thoughts, emotions, and to let them out in a safe way.

Being in this board will give you understanding, acceptance, and encouragement finding your better balance.

Hiya! and welcome! If you have anxiety-you are typical! you will fit right in. My anxiety was fairly under control until covid hit--but I got a therapist right away-that helps a little and I got right on the meds--and that helped a ton...I am also keeping myself off of my newsfeed (so bad to google-they are purposefully trying to terrify us, I think) and I watch fun youtube videos and do tapping videos and meditation and sleep music. I've been exercising and finding projects to keep myself distracted! hope any of that works for you too!

Hi and welcome. I've had anxiety for 8 yrs brought on by an emotional trauma so I deal with it daily.

Quarantine/Corona seems to amplify it because we are isolated, I understand that. And the fact that I have a professional health care worker in the family and listen to her sadly vent about her virus patients, ages 30-80 sure doesn't help me!

But having said that.....here's what helps me so maybe some of this will be a fit for you:

Fortunately, I have green space at home so I can get outside. I enjoy some of the live shopping channel shows (but I don't order!). I have a cat. I text and I make phone calls. I just put banana bread in the oven. If you like word games, CrossCraze Pro version is less than $5. Best game ever. I stay current but no longer follow the news closely. I follow The Anxiety Guy, love him. I also love Nick Ortner's Tapping. Both of these have corona specific content. These are not a cure for lonliness but they do help!

Good luck to you and we will get through this!

I’m working with a therapist and two ‘basic attendees’ whom I talk with several times a week. My sibling is also a therapist. That can be tricky. I meditate, journal and pretty much work the program but I can’t seem to cross that line that keeps me from getting to the root and that’s self compassion and self love. ☹️ Also , has anyone done EMDR with success? I even began acupuncture this week.

haven't done emdr---but acupuncture is awesome....some kind of witchy practice I still don't fully understand...but it works!!

You are not alone, that is for sure! This time has been unusual and difficult for most people, if not everyone in some way or another. Talking to people is SO important. Don't keep it inside and let it build up. do you keep a journal. write? that has always helped me get through most everything in my life along with prayer. God is there, even when it seems like no one else is. Sending prayers to you and big HUGS!