Mask wearing Anxiety

[DancingQueen18]

Hi,

First Time poster, long time Anxiety and Depression sufferer. I have high functioning anxiety. I commute 5 hours a day (which makes me anxious by itself) for work and now with the mask wearing mandate in the office, my anxiety is through the roof! I feel like I'm suffocating when I wear a mask for longer than a couple hours at a time. Is that weird? I have a phone appointment with my doctor on Friday to discuss my anxiety. Covid mandates have definitely made my anxiety worse.

[SkyBaby]

Hi DancingQueen18,

I don't think it's weird at all that you feel like the masks are suffocating. It's a very weird and radical time, I think the fact that you are managing to go in to your office given everything is a tremendous achievement in itself, though it probably feels far from it. Has there been anything that has helped with your mask wearing in the past? The appointment with your doctor sounds like a really good start, I hope they are helpful!

- SkyBaby

[Maddeline]

Hi DancingQueen18,

Welcome to the forums and thank you for sharing! I myself completely understand where you are coming from as someone who has pretty bad claustrophobia and anxiety. The masks can feel suffocating after a while, especially when it is hot weather. The way I help myself when I begin to feel as though I am suffocating is to go outside and have some fresh air. By taking little breaks in the office and walking out for fresh air every 30 minutes or so, it really reduces the suffocating feeling. Also, by having a fan it reduces the fear of suffocation. If you are at your desk alone, it is okay to pull your mask down for a quick breath. But just remind yourself, that you have not suffocated for the last two hours wearing the mask, so why would you all of a sudden suffocate now? When I ask myself this question it makes me realise that only when I am thinking about suffocating, I begin to feel like suffocating.

Hope this helps and would love to hear from you x

[Petal22]

Hi DancingQueen18,

Wellcome to our forums!

Im sorry you are feeling this way, I understand.

Thats great that you have a gp appointment…… maybe you could do a mental health plan together this will allow you to see a psychologist who can give you many strategies for anxiety.

Anxiety can be managed and you really can learn to manage it you just need to learn the tools that a psychologist can teach you.

Hang in there your not alone.

[jaz28]

Hi DancingQueen,

Masks are very full-on and are now a part of life in Australia.

However, a lot of people do get exemptions. You can always ask your doctor for one. It is also a good idea to talk to your doctor about seeing a psychologist to manage this anxiety.

Take care,

Jaz.