Anxiety wins

[SmileySocks]

I have debilitating social anxiety and for a couple of years I have been trying to manage it and get out more e.t.c. This pandemic has broken me though and I can't take anymore. How am I supposed to manage social anxiety when we're constantly being restricted and told not to be social?! It almost feels like it may as well be illegal to socialise.

I must say before I go on, I'm not an antivaxer, I'm not against wearing masks and I understand why we have these restrictions and lockdowns and all the rest.

But... I feel like we're never going to get out of this and I can't live like this, forever locked up and restricted. For some reason, I don't know why but wearing masks makes me even more anxious than I already am and I can't do it anymore. I think it could be because no one can hear what each other is saying and for me to speak up/louder heightens my anxiety.

Lets say we all or the majority of us get vaccinated and the restrictions are gone, great! Then it mutates into a new, deadlier strain that we're not protected against and back come the restrictions and lockdowns everytime there is a case. What is the point of the vaccine if we still have to be locked in at home, wear masks anytime we leave the house and can't go anywhere even in our own country or town?? We won't die from covid which is fantastic but I feel like I may as well be dead, this is not living.

I used to make myself leave the house to do my shopping and whatever else, either with my Mum or my assistance dog. I knew staying home wasn't going to be good for my anxiety but at first it was great, a relief from having to try and be more social. Now, I feel like I'm fighting an uphill battle, that all the work I did on myself has gone to waste and I'm just too tired and fed up so I give up. I'm getting groceries e.t.c delivered, I'm looking for a way out of my toxic environment job so I can work from home. I'll still walk my dog and take him to doggy daycare as he shouldn't suffer and be trapped at home just because I am but that will be it.

I know the less I leave the house, the harder it will become and the more unwell I will become but I don't care anymore. I can't survive an anti social new normal while trying to manage social anxiety. If it wasn't for my dog I wouldn't be here, this world isn't worth living in anymore.

So the anxiety wins, I'm too tired to manage it anymore and don't see the point.

[Sophie_M]

Hey SmileySocks,

Thank you for reaching out here tonight and sharing what you are going through. We are so sorry to hear you are struggling so much at the moment because of anxiety and restrictions. It is a difficult time for many people. We hope that you find our forums to be a safe and supportive space to talk through your thoughts and feelings. Our community is here for you and would be able to chime in with their wisdom and experience of going through a similar situation.

Our Support Service is trying to reach out to you via email to offer additional support.

We hope you know that there is always help available to you, whether it's from our professional mental health counsellors Beyond Blue (available 24/7/365 on 1300 22 4636) or our friends at Lifeline (13 11 14) or the Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467).

Please know that you are not alone and we are here for you. Please keep checking back in with us whenever you feel up to it. 

[Petal22]

Good morning smileysocks,

Sorry you are feeling this way….. I understand anxiety I had severe anxiety OCD, I have now recovered from the condition….

I understand the pandemic puts us at home more, it can feel isolating…. Have you thought about FaceTiming your friends and family? It sounds like you have a beautiful dog….. they are such a blessing our dogs….. lots of cuddles and pats for your dog they always make us smile…….. have you tried meditation that’s great for anxiety…….. When you do your grocery shopping try to chat with the staff at the shops….. I know it’s hard with the mask …… but it won’t be for ever..

Practice slowing down your breathing, listen to music, do some cooking 😊 have you tried mindfulness? That’s also wonderful for anxiety….. I can help you with that if you like? Exercise is great also you can practice mindfulness while out walking your beautiful dog…..

Have you ever received professional help for your anxiety?

I understand we wonder if this pandemic will ever be over I believe it will be…… I think back to the days with the polio pandemic…… that lasted a long time but it did come to an end…… so will this pandemic….

I believe there is always a point to fighting never giving up! When I went through severe anxiety OCD my illness felt like a marathon but every day I’d always tell myself I was going to recover and that there was always HOPE…… I’m now on the other side of it and life is amazing! If I can recover from my condition there is HOPE that you can aswell! Hang in there look for the positive in everything….. practice gratefulness, read positive affirmations…… things WILL get better for you!

im here to chat to you 😊

[SmileySocks]

I can't do phone calls/face timing. I can still see my family in person and I do. I'm not going to any grocery stores atm, it's a real struggle just to leave the house. Even without a mask I can't talk to staff, I go shopping with my Mum and use self checkout.

Yeah pets are amazing and dogs know how to cheer us up.

I've done meditation, mindfulness, grounding exercises, I've had professional help and been on meds. I've recently gone back to my gp and she's put me back on meds and on a MHCP. I'm on a waitjng list to see my psych, this virus has done a number on so many peoples mental health.

Extended restrictions/lockdown, never ending new variants and needles (boosters). It doesn't feel like it's going to end anytime soon.

I think I'll just become a hermit, only leaving the house to take my dog for a walk/to play with other dogs.