COVID19 and increasing anxiety

[Jitters_Jumps___Lurking_P]

With everything going on lately with the COVID19 and the lurking economic depression, my anxiety is sky-rocketing.

I am so worried that I've contracted the virus as I have been ill for the past week.

I have been to the doctors and the fever clinic and both believe that it is only the flu as I have no temperature and I have not travelled overseas or knowingly been in contact with someone who has the illness. I'm currently being tested for everything to be sure but I'm horrified that it will come back positive with something nasty. My worry has turned to what feels like in shock - I'm so confused and scared and my mind won't settle. So many 'what-if' scenarios...

To make matters worse, I'm an immune compromised university student who came back from a field trip a few weeks ago where there was 150+ students (I'm assuming all healthy at the time) in one area and I live with my mother and grandmother (who believe I just have the flu).

I've done my very best to limit any contact with others, practice good hygiene to the point of it becoming OCD and following my doctor requests that I put myself into social isolation (as she is worried about me contracting anything else - not necessarily me spreading anything) but I'm worried that it maybe too late and I've passed whatever I may or may not have onto other people.

I don't know what I would do if my test came back with something and I've unintentionally passed it onto someone else - especially the elderly or other immune compromised people. I think I would shrivel up into a hole and die.

But the doctor says that it's highly unlikely that I have it, that I was only tested to make sure that it wasn't COVID or glandular fever and that I was requested to stay home as to not get sick from other people but I still feel like I need to rip my hair out - scream (if I could) - run (if I could) - throw something.

I honestly can't remember the last time I had anxiety that resembles a state shock like this. I'm so lost.

[quirkywords]

JJ

I can understand while you feel anxious. Do you have your own doctor who you can trust?

It is a very difficult time.

there is another thread 'Coping during the Coronavirus outbreak' thread, where there are many people to support you and share your concerns. You could cut and paste this post onto that thread if you like.

Have a look and see what you think.

[Jitters_Jumps___Lurking_P]

Thanks so much for your reply - I do trust my doctor but the anxiety always gets in the way....
Also thank you for telling me about the COVID19 forum - I've just posted onto the page.

Thanks again and please take care.

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi Jitters_Jumps & Lurking Paranoia,

It's great that you are here and posting about the coronavirus. I can see that quirkywords has already offered a supportive reply and there are lots of people who are in the same boat.

I have really struggled with the anxiety around this virus too. There is a lot of fear around the world and I think the fear is spreading a lot faster than the virus itself!

From what you've said, it sounds like you are doing the best that you can and all of the right things. There is so much that is out of our control at this point so it's really important to focus on the things that you can do.

If you were to contract the virus, it would be kind of awful - but for most people, having the virus is very much like the flu. It would also be super unfortunate if you were to pass it on to other people - but with the precautions that you are taking it sounds like it's unlikely. It wouldn't be your fault either since it is so easy to spread.

If you need to scream or run - let yourself do so (like going to an isolated park or oval where it is safe). Sometimes it can be helpful just to yell into a pillow. If the idea of running is getting your heart racing, you can also do that at home with exercises. There are lots of really healthy ways to cope even when things are really hard.

Hopefully the other thread will offer you some more support and I hope this reply helps a little bit anyway.

rt