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Anyone else waking up early with Covid-19 anxiety?

[Deleted User]

Been awake an hour now, I wake with extremely anxious thoughts about Covid.

Very annoying. Anyone in the same boat?

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Clegg

Haven't been waking up at night with anxiety or panic issues, but I definitely feel it during the day. The suggestion about limiting the amount of social media and news you consume is a good one. I asked about in in a different thread and that was suggested to me. Since I've cut back on media consumption I've started feeling a bit better.

Another good suggestion was also to stop reading the main Covid 19 thread on Boards.

ChikiChiki

Waking up not a problem, getting to sleep is. Have not fell asleep earlier than 2 all week having gone to bed at 11.

[Deleted User]

rainbow kirby wrote: »

Nope, but that's mostly because I've already had it. I'm waking up and wondering how much energy I'm actually going to have today because I'm still absolutely wiped.

Wow. What was it like?

rainbow kirby

Woke up with a sore throat on March 20th, full on fevers, chills, body aches, nausea etc by lunchtime. Cough started shortly after. Had a fever for nearly a week, was virtually bedbound for 12 days. A lot of that time was spent drifting in and out of sleep, but because of upper respiratory tract involvement, frequent nosebleeds and ridiculous post nasal drip fuelling the cough I had to sleep sitting up. The cough got so bad in the second week that I ended up calling an ambulance, but wasn't brought in. Between the sore throat and the secondary infections I picked up (my immune system is clearly a total winner, I got both bacterial and viral secondaries so a week of very heavy meds) I could only eat soft and bland food for over 2 weeks, still a little wary of spicy and acidic food.

20 days on... I am wiped. I am 35 and was healthy before if a bit overweight, running when I could and chasing two toddlers. My kids spent 16 days isolating with their dad while I was ill. My big efforts today were a 20 minute walk to a fancy cheese shop and tidying my kids' bedroom. Each required a half hour rest afterwards.

It's going to be a long recovery.

[Deleted User]

rainbow kirby wrote: »

Woke up with a sore throat on March 20th, full on fevers, chills, body aches, nausea etc by lunchtime. Cough started shortly after. Had a fever for nearly a week, was virtually bedbound for 12 days. A lot of that time was spent drifting in and out of sleep, but because of upper respiratory tract involvement, frequent nosebleeds and ridiculous post nasal drip fuelling the cough I had to sleep sitting up. The cough got so bad in the second week that I ended up calling an ambulance, but wasn't brought in. Between the sore throat and the secondary infections I picked up (my immune system is clearly a total winner, I got both bacterial and viral secondaries so a week of very heavy meds) I could only eat soft and bland food for over 2 weeks, still a little wary of spicy and acidic food.

20 days on... I am wiped. I am 35 and was healthy before if a bit overweight, running when I could and chasing two toddlers. My kids spent 16 days isolating with their dad while I was ill. My big efforts today were a 20 minute walk to a fancy cheese shop and tidying my kids' bedroom. Each required a half hour rest afterwards.

It's going to be a long recovery.

Oh Jesus, that sounds extremely rough. Glad to hear you are on the mend after all that.

[Deleted User]

Well that didn’t help the anxiety one little bit. Probably wasn’t the thread for that story.

[Deleted User]

I think of myself as someone with very good mental health these days. Historically not. Many tools and practices and so on in place to ensure I never back slide to where I used to be.

But because of this I am hyper aware of the background angst/anxiety this whole thing has caused. Partially around me and mine catching the virus and suffering. But mostly around areas I am relatively ignorant about - like the economy and social cohesion.

I am aware that like the sea beating against even a strong wall - erosion of the wall will win eventually - that eventually even a low level of anxiety could overwhelm anyone's mental health.

Part of me never wants to get this infection of course. Another part of me thinks if I am going to get it - then I hope sooner rather than later just to get it over with so that background anxiety goes away.

One thing messing with my head is that I have not been sick with so much as even a sniffle in 10 years or so. Literally nothing.

I do not know what that means. But my brain keeps telling me either it means I have an incredibly good immune system that takes all infections and issues on without me even knowing it - or I have been lucky never to be infected with anything and if I do get something serious my untrained system will not know what to do with itself and I will just be wiped out.

I am hoping the former of course - which given how many people I have been exposed to over the last 10 years would make the most sense.

biko

You probably won't get it OP.
And if you do, you probably won't even know it.
And if you know it, it'll probably be mild symptoms.
And if you get strong symptoms, you probably won't need a ventilator.
And if you do need a ventilator, you probably won't die.
And if you die, you have no more anxiety.

leggo

I used to have an awful time with anxiety, like I’d over-analyse every step I’d take on a busy street, I remember a friend noticing that every time I’d pay by contactless I’d get really antsy in case I’d paid 3 times and it rejected and I’d have to try again and what would people think?!! It was constant and crippling in hindsight. And that’s before anything major happened and I’d just fall apart.

Headspace was a godsend. It teaches you that anxiety is an entity unto itself. You’re not anxious because of certain things happening, you’re anxious because you’re not managing your anxiety. It’s so simple to do the daily exercises they have and it’ll legitimately change your life. Now when I get anxious in any situation, I can identify it, catch it and be done with it in seconds.

It’s not even that it’ll make your worries go away. I have a close relative in a nursing home, for example, and they’re constantly on my minds these days with what’s in the news. But I can still work, sleep, function and get on with my daily life. I can contextualise that this situation is beyond my control and I can’t help it beyond doing my bit and following the guidelines, that if I get something wrong along the way that’s okay because I’ve had to learn an entirely new way of life within a few weeks and mistakes can happen, that if something happens someone I love I’ll deal with it then etc. Might seem straightforward but if you’re suffering with anxiety you’ll know how big of a deal getting that bit of space is. It could be a good time to put some focus on this and use this situation to teach yourself a skill you’ll benefit from for life.

rainbow kirby

ReginaldSmythV wrote: »

Well that didn’t help the anxiety one little bit. Probably wasn’t the thread for that story.

Well someone did ask! I'm not exactly going to sugar coat it.

wakka12

I'm having trouble sleeping but its because of restlessness due to lack of socialising and stimulation during the day rather than anxiety about COVID. Tbh I kind of forget about COVID from time to time throughout the day until it comes on the news

Rufeo

rainbow kirby wrote: »

Woke up with a sore throat on March 20th, full on fevers, chills, body aches, nausea etc by lunchtime. Cough started shortly after. Had a fever for nearly a week, was virtually bedbound for 12 days. A lot of that time was spent drifting in and out of sleep, but because of upper respiratory tract involvement, frequent nosebleeds and ridiculous post nasal drip fuelling the cough I had to sleep sitting up. The cough got so bad in the second week that I ended up calling an ambulance, but wasn't brought in. Between the sore throat and the secondary infections I picked up (my immune system is clearly a total winner, I got both bacterial and viral secondaries so a week of very heavy meds) I could only eat soft and bland food for over 2 weeks, still a little wary of spicy and acidic food.

20 days on... I am wiped. I am 35 and was healthy before if a bit overweight, running when I could and chasing two toddlers. My kids spent 16 days isolating with their dad while I was ill. My big efforts today were a 20 minute walk to a fancy cheese shop and tidying my kids' bedroom. Each required a half hour rest afterwards.

It's going to be a long recovery.

Any idea how you contracted the virus

rainbow kirby

Rufeo wrote: »

Any idea how you contracted the virus

Just plain old community spread in Manchester. I got ill four days after my last day in the office.

Lux23

I was in the beginning, but now I appear to be over the anxiety of Covid-19 and back to worrying about all sorts of other crap like study and work.

the beer revolu

I was very anxious about what was going to happen around the time the schools were closed. I remember going to bed kinda shell shocked hoping to wake up to find it was all a bad dream.
My wife went to the UK to see her mum that day.
I was anxious about her not getting back.
Anyway, she cut her trip short and since she's back and the two weeks are well up, I'm really not anxious about it at all.

I'm obviously very concerned about all the sick and dying people and I worry about how the global economy will be after all this. I'm bored.

But I'm just not anxious about catching the virus. I've had no close contact with anyone apart from Mrs beer for 4 weeks, now.

[Deleted User]

I'm in a constant state of dread. I've a tiny baby and my husband works in a hospital, so I'm feeling pretty vulnerable to begin with. The extra layer of worldwide horror overlaid on general postpartum stress is the stuff of nightmares. I don't get much sleep, but when I am asleep it's another chapter in the ongoing nightmare I'm having that involves losing half my family and being unable to say goodbye.

Should have been the happiest year of my life. It's not.

Montage of Feck

Waking up early isn't so bad these times, nice weather and little traffic so you can let the window open and hear the birds singing in the morning.

the beer revolu

Candie wrote: »

I'm in a constant state of dread. I've a tiny baby and my husband works in a hospital, so I'm feeling pretty vulnerable to begin with. The extra layer of worldwide horror overlaid on general postpartum stress is the stuff of nightmares. I don't get much sleep, but when I am asleep it's another chapter in the ongoing nightmare I'm having that involves losing half my family and being unable to say goodbye.

Should have been the happiest year of my life. It's not.

No matter what way you look at it, that's a tough situation. Anxiety for your little baby is natural.
*virtual hugs *

[Deleted User]

the beer revolu wrote: »

No matter what way you look at it, that's a tough situation. Anxiety for your little baby is natural.
*virtual hugs *

Ah, I will be doing my best to drag my mood up though it's hard when you're shattered.

One thing I have found out or had underlined in the middle of all this mess is that people are lovely. Individuals might not be, but humans generally are a nice bunch all supporting each other and helping each other out. So that's one nice thought to hold tight to.

Thanks for the hugs, always appreciated.

iamwhoiam

Candie wrote: »

I'm in a constant state of dread. I've a tiny baby and my husband works in a hospital, so I'm feeling pretty vulnerable to begin with. The extra layer of worldwide horror overlaid on general postpartum stress is the stuff of nightmares. I don't get much sleep, but when I am asleep it's another chapter in the ongoing nightmare I'm having that involves losing half my family and being unable to say goodbye.

Should have been the happiest year of my life. It's not.

Aw I am sorry you have this stress . Wish I could help you . As someone said to me lately we have a generation struggling with kids and worries and another generation feeling really helpless and want to help out

[Deleted User]

iamwhoiam wrote: »

Aw I am sorry you have this stress . Wish I could help you . As someone said to me lately we have a generation struggling with kids and worries and another generation feeling really helpless and want to help out

Ah, I'm fine but thanks for caring.

I'm luckier than a lot out there, the last few days were a bit of a wobble though. A lot of people I know have hit their personal 'wall' over the last week, as the reality of this being a longer term issue than we'd hoped hits home. So even it's just a case of reminding ourselves that we're healthy, the bills are paid, the sun is shining and there's a slice of cake in the refrigerator, there's always something to be glad about.

Luckily I'm generally quite upbeat so I'm trying to make the most of the situation and I have a nice garden to enjoy now the weather is so lovely. I'm counting my blessings, something I'm going to keep doing when all this is over because it's now I realize how much I take for granted.

My heart really goes out to people trying to entertain young kids in small apartments with no outdoor space, it must be hugely difficult.

And people are so nice that they want to help strangers on the internet! How lovely is that?

Arghus

To be honest, my brain is so fried from fear throughout the day that I'm spent by the time my head hits the pillow.

Rubberchikken

No but then I don't worry too much about things.
I'm an essential worker so haven't time or energy to pay more than necessary attention to news.

I do think that if someone spends too much time listening/watching the news, it could raise anxiety levels in a stone.

[Deleted User]

Arghus wrote: »

To be honest, my brain is so fried from fear throughout the day that I'm spent by the time my head hits the pillow.

The stress is utterly exhausting. I suppose we'll get used to it and flatline a little on the stress hormones, and hopefully the news will start to be more optimistic most days. We'll all be fine in the end.

iamwhoiam

Everyone I know have had a wobbly day this week . The reality has set in and no end in sight
We can do this , we are strong and one day when its over we will dance on the streets z

Arghus

I would say I was worse a few weeks ago, the weekend in the immediate aftermath after the schools closing. I was hit by the enormity of it all and what it all meant. I couldn't mentally disengage with reality. And I was freaking out because the seriousness of the situation hadn't dawned on 95% of the people I knew. The penny hadn't dropped that this was going to change everything.

I feel a bit calmer these days. Of course the situation is still impossibly grave and my level of worry is constant, but I can go about my day and concentrate a bit. I feel I was a bit luckier than some, because I got my freak out in early. Some of the people who thought I was a nutter 3-4 weeks ago are now ringing up saying "Jesus, I'm freaking out" and I find I can talk to them a bit about it, hopefully, I'd like to think, in a helpful way.

I think we're in for the long haul here and people chafing about when restrictions are going to be lifted are going to look back in a few weeks and realise how silly they are. Or maybe not. Hopefully the situation will have improved to such an extent that they'll never have to face how deluded they appeared to be at one stage.

I don't think we are out of the woods - not by a long shot - there is much more suffering and grief to come. But I do at least think we'll eventually get through it and that some semblance of normal life will eventually return, which is not how I felt a few weeks ago. And that, I guess, is some form of optimism.

fleet_admiral

No. I wake as normal around 6 because I'm in work/school mornin my hwas6

leggo

Rubberchikken wrote: »

No but then I don't worry too much about things.
I'm an essential worker so haven't time or energy to pay more than necessary attention to news.

I do think that if someone spends too much time listening/watching the news, it could raise anxiety levels in a stone.

I work in an essential field but they’ve found us a way to work from home now. It was great getting to still go into the office tbh and feel somewhat normal before going home to weirdness and uncertainty. The first week working from home was equally off, but getting used to it now and getting a routine going has been a godsend. You need some kind of normalcy and habit, that in itself is essential. If your day-to-day is all over the place, it’s inevitable you’ll end up an anxious mess in a short amount of time.

Feisar

Dunno about waking up worried. However I woke up last night to go to the toilet and left the en suite light on. The missus asked me to run it off and I started mumbling about having to leave it on as it was the Covid-19 light?

L1011

Nope. If I get it I'll probably be OK; and I've already been acting as if I have it when it comes to potentially risky people - my parents who are just under the cocooning age for instance. So nothing there particularly worries me

I'm on the list of essential staff - not one of the heroic/frontline or otherwise obvious ones though - so I still have the distraction of going to work which could be helping. ~150 people are working from home reliant on two of us so its definitely helping in that regard.