Anxiety Support Group
Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...
Hi all, first time on the site. I have been diagnosed with anxiety disorder and PTSD since I was young. I specifically have issues with health anxiety. This being the case, one could imagine that the current state of affairs is especially triggering for me right now. I've been fortunate enough to be in contact with my therapist a few times this week but I feel like I need to reach out to others in the meantime as the anxiety has been continually bothersome.
I'm having a really hard time with all sorts of things right now involving the current state of affairs, but my primary fears surround the following thought processes: I am terrified of getting sick and dying, of my partner getting sick and dying, and pretty much anyone I know getting sick and dying from the virus. My partner and I have not had health insurance for years and, while we're in our 20s and 30s, I'm concerned about our ability to fight off the virus. As I mentioned, I have terrible anxiety, and while I've not been offically diagnosed as high-risk, I know that anxious situations cause my blood pressure and heart rate to skyrocket. This was especially the case starting on Sunday this week: the seriousness of the virus became evident to me very quickly and I was simultaneously contacted by my estranged mother. This was all too much for me and I spent three days having a panic attack. I couldn't sleep, my heart was racing, my blood pressure was high, my appetite was gone, and my spiraling thoughts were non-stop. I talked to my therapist and tried meditation, going for walks, playing video games, talking to friends, drinking beer. Nothing was stopping the panic. On Wednesday, on the brink of exhaustion, I finally took the step of contacting the clinic up the road and had a telehealth appointment with a doctor. I was prescribed propranolol (beta blocker) for the anxiety and trazadone (SSRI) for insomnia. While the beta blocker seemed to be working very well the first few days (my vitals seemed to be back to normal, my racing thoughts were no longer able to stick, I was able to sleep at least a few hours a night), the thoughts returned the night before last. I upped my dose, which made my body feel calmer but the thoughts have stuck ever since. I haven't taken the trazadone for sleep yet as I had really bad experiences with SSRIs in the past. Currently, though the physical response is being kept at bay, I'm still feeling completely overwhelmed by thoughts of getting sick, dying, and grief over the sickness and deaths of those around me.
This is especially the case since I'm currently still feeling the weight of exhaustion from the three days of panic, because of an incident about a week ago where I accidentally inhaled smoke from a prescribed burn across the street from my house which caused me to have an irritated throat and some mucus, and still being unable to get enough sleep. I feel like my immune system is not as good as it could be right now and I'm absolutely terrified of getting sick because of this. Additionally, my mental state is in a really bad place. I fear that if/when I start to feel the effects of the virus coming on, I will become completely unhinged mentally which might cause me to have to be committed to the hospital (which seems nearly impossible based on current resources) or to kill myself.
I'm sorry for rambling or if none of this makes much sense. I'm having a hard time concentrating and my memory is struggling to keep up (I think this is from the exhaustion I've been experiencing or perhaps effects of the medication). Basically the bottom line is this: I'm terrified of getting the virus as I'm not sure I can mentally or phyically survive it. My thoughts will not stop spiraling and I feel like I'm losing myself completely right now.
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Years ago, I won a mirrored armoire from my job. It's in my bedroom but I rarely stand in front of it. Yesterday, I had to have a dexascan done so I had to change into a gown. There was a full length mirror in the changing room. I'm aware that I gained 5 to 7 pounds over the last year from cheating on Keto but I didn't know what it looked like. It was a reality check.
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"don't be a hate hole" has been one of my recent mantras which seems to be escaping my mouth more and more often. it emerges when i am faced with the endless list of chores i would rather not deal with. insurance. head lice. bureaucracy. in-laws. the list goes on and on and on and on, ad infinitum.reality checks requested. am i making sense?"ever'thin they is but loving leaves a rust on your...
I think that so many people with or without a history of anxiety PTSD depression are feeling so many feelings. This virus has caused stress in so many ways. I keep thinking that I have it, and I have lots of high risk factors,
I am lonely, bored, anxious, you name it. I've had to work from home for the first time other setting up lots of tele health appts. I was so stressed last week, I feel that it ran me down physically and emotionally. Now this may sound like a crazy idea, and I am sure that you've tried a lot. But have you tried simple mindfulness techniques like: Bring yourself back to the present-find 5 things in the room that you are in, 5 different colors, five sounds, five smells (or smells that you like), five things that you like the taste of, five things that you feel like your feet on the ground, or other things around you that you can touch. Along with this, I think for now you have to stop fighting these scary thoughts and just let them spin in the background. I don't know your circumstances, but most people are surviving this virus. A hospital has to take you in an emergency and depending on where you live can help you sign up for insurance. If you feel the effects of the virus coming on, do another tele-health visit, and based on that, either go to be tested, go to the emergency room etc...we're hearing about scary things on tv, online, all of the time. I have my moments and everyone I know is breaking down. You can only control what is before you and so far you are OK physically. Don't mean to preach because I am highly anxious as well but give yourself a mental vacation if you can....watch a movie, whatever. You'll get through this.
Stay hydrated. Do the things mentioned above to keep your thoughts from overwhelming your well-being.
Stay in the moment. You're doing the best you can with what you have.
Welcome to anxiety board at DS.
For example you could get a few weeks of non perishable food, healthcare items, and anti flu medicines this way if one of you is quarantined at home you are prepared to deal with a case with milder symptoms.
It is also a good time to make sure you have an appropriate amount of cleaning and hygiene products, to help ensure you don’t get sick. Take stock of what you have and fill in the gaps.
Lastly taking care of yourself physically, even a small amount of exercise like walking, can help.
Best of luck to you.
I think everyone in the world has similar concerns but when you already deal with anxiety problems it can be magnified.
What has really helped me is changing my focus. I am trying not to think about the virus, be worried about if I or someone else in my family gets sick, or what is going to happen in the future.
Instead I repeat to myself, this is temporary, life will improve, God is in control which is huge for me, and I am ok. Every time a worry or fear comes into my head, I change my thoughts to God and that He knows all and is in charge of everything. I play inspiring music, sing songs of praise, read devotionals, listen to sermons, and pray. I also go for walks and do exercise tapes which helps too.
The news is bombarding the virus and it is overwhelming. The best thing to do is shut off the news. Taking the right measures of staying at home,washing your hands, using sanitizer and wipes and avoiding any contact with people is the best we can do.
Social distancing is one of the hardest things for me. I however, have been doing chat time with my friends and family using Facebook messenger video chat, Zoom, and Google Hangout, Facebook messenger had cute effects and activities that makes the call even more fun. I did it with our whole family and we had a blast.
I will keep you in my prayers. Reach out anytime we are here for you and we care. Hugs to you!
Right now your nervous system is cranked up on high. It will take some time to calm down.
Write your fears or anxieties down...and write the best case scenario vs ur worst case scenario.
Challenge your thinking.
We are living in a time where death bc of a virus is a possibility. Be cautious but don't be fearful. Remind yield that you're doing the best you can and that's more than enough.
Sending you light n love.