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How are you dealing with COIVD-19? Because I’m not doing that well…

Mistelwing
Community Member

Hello! So, this is my first ever post here, and I kind of feel nervous posting my feelings as I’m not someone who commutates on the net. Okay, so about me; normally I never thought of myself having Anxiety, I mean I’ve been worried and stressed about things before. But with everything that’s been going on, I feel like my world has been turned upside-down.

I work in Retail (in a shop that refused to shut down, though it was non-essential) as well as live with two high-riskers, so this had added a whole new level of risk to me. It’s to the point now the very thought of going into work/social places makes it hard to breathe. I shake, I break down and basically consumed by terror at the idea I could get the virus and potentially cause the deaths of the people I love. It got so bad I lied to work to take time off, but now they aren’t giving me many options and want me to work because we’re super busy again. But I can now barely sleep or eat at the thought of going back.

I’ve tried going outside and “slowly” get back to normal, but the moment someone gets close to me I panic. One time I had to quickly run to my car to stop myself hyperventilating. Ironically, a Sales assistant who loved making someone’s day is now terrified of the pubic…

It’s made me wonder how are you guys dealing with this? What things are you doing to calm down or help in this weird and difficult time? Or whether I’m just over-freaking out about everything.

1 Reply 1

Sophie_M
Moderator
Moderator
Hi Mistelwing, Thanks for taking what you say is an uncomfortable step by sharing your experiences with us here today. It was very brave of you to do so and important that you did. We're sure members of our valued online forums community will be along soon enough to offer you advice and support. In the meantime, you might find it useful to check out our dedicated Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service: https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au. It was created precisely because a lot of people are struggling at this time. You are not alone. We have specially trained mental health professionals there available to take your call 24/7 on 1800 512 348 if you'd like to talk it through as well as read and write it through here.