Anxiety is trying so hard lately

[bin_tenn]

I only want to vent for a minute. Overall, anxiety is minimal as of late, and I've been continuing to remember and practice the things I've learned over the years, both on my own and in therapy. So far, so good.

I'm noticing yet again how easily the anxious mind can latch on to things. It doesn't have to take over, I refuse to allow that, but fighting it can be a bit exhausting sometimes. Lately, I've been convinced that I may be coming down with COVID-19. There is no genuine reason, other than I've occasionally felt some mild fatigue along with a mildly sore throat and intermittent nasal congestion.

It's that time of year though. The weather is getting cooler, leaves are falling, etc. I know it's not abnormal for me at all to experience these things at this time of year. Yet, here is anxiety, thinking the worst. What a joke, huh?

I'll be fine. I just tend to notice more often just how busy the anxious part of my mind is. Pretty much at all times. It's constantly looking for things to latch on to, and it seemingly never stops. Oh well, life does go on!

 

[BrokenArrow]

Yeah, I think we've all had the covid scare. We wouldn't be anxiety sufferers if we didn't have atleast one. A couple weeks ago I ended up with a mild cold. Runny nose, cough, and mild fever. I thought the world was ending. Turned out to just be a few day long mild cold. My anxiety always seems to get worse in the winter. It gets darker earlier and you can't spend as much time out side and it just seems like there is less to do. With the mind having less to do, it has more time to find reasons for anxiety. You seem like you have a pretty decent grip on it though. Hang in there.

 

[alwaysworried]

It's funny how quickly the anxious mind overrides the logical, rational parts of your mind, right? That's what keeps me stuck in the cycle. It's always kind of amusing to me to see how the second I fixate on a new problem or a new sensation, whatever I was worrying about before disappears! I always joke that I wish I could switch off that anxious part of my brain that always keeps me thinking the worst...imagine how nice it would be.
Since I can't do that, I just have to focus on sitting with/accepting my anxiety and trying to eliminate the fear response I have to otherwise normal physiological symptoms. Easier said than done...I agree with you that it does get exhausting. Setbacks are the hardest. We just have to keep at it and eventually it will get better!

 

[Belizz]

Yeah I have been exactly feeling myself like that lately, exact same symptoms. I am generally on the calm side but my mind has lots of opinions.
I have a slightly irritated throat and I feel a little tired, also sometimes feeling warm and sorta feverish doesn't help. But all these symptoms are temporary and they come and go.
Some days I am totally fine and I keep on saying to myself that I have been feeling like this for 1-2 weeks now, and it should develop into something serious by now.
I do my best to protect myself of course there are times I need to go out etc but, I just leave it as it is and say "I do my best, if it still happens it happens"
Remind yourself also there are lots of cases of normal common cold + flu.
It's the season now, as you mentioned. Keep up the good work with coping.
We are here, just share your worries.

 

[bin_tenn]

Thanks, everyone. Yes, it's quite amazing how simple it is to fall into these traps. Fortunately I can spot them well ahead of time, so I don't feed them anymore. During this entire pandemic, I've continued to feel at ease about the idea that I could contract the virus. I know I can, and I'm not worried. I don't *want* it and I take routine precautions to avoid it, but if it happens then so be it. I just can't help but to feel surprised at how hard anxiety works. :O

 

[bigjetplane6]

Hello! I’ve had many anxieties over COVID. It’s such a terrible addition over everything.
I usually have a sore throat (one sided), sniffles, and ear pain. When I started with the throat pain, I obviously thought COVID. I also get body aches sometimes and feel like i’m coming down with a cold - luckily, it hasn’t been that.
I’m glad that you can spot pre anxiety and find a way to manage it. It sucks when we start feeling anxious and think “Oh no, not again”.
I hope this was a false alarm! Don’t let anxiety beat you. You got this!

 

[bin_tenn]

Hello! I’ve had many anxieties over COVID. It’s such a terrible addition over everything.
I usually have a sore throat (one sided), sniffles, and ear pain. When I started with the throat pain, I obviously thought COVID. I also get body aches sometimes and feel like i’m coming down with a cold - luckily, it hasn’t been that.
I’m glad that you can spot pre anxiety and find a way to manage it. It sucks when we start feeling anxious and think “Oh no, not again”.
I hope this was a false alarm! Don’t let anxiety beat you. You got this!

Thank you! I've definitely been in much worse shape, in terms of letting anxiety take hold before I try to combat it. It took a few years of my own effort and several therapy sessions before I finally learned how to spot it well in advance. Not always an easy task, but very helpful!

 

[Dls1108]

Thanks, everyone. Yes, it's quite amazing how simple it is to fall into these traps. Fortunately I can spot them well ahead of time, so I don't feed them anymore. During this entire pandemic, I've continued to feel at ease about the idea that I could contract the virus. I know I can, and I'm not worried. I don't *want* it and I take routine precautions to avoid it, but if it happens then so be it. I just can't help but to feel surprised at how hard anxiety works. :O

I agree with u about the sense of ease that has slowly been progressing about covid. I don't want it of course but if it happens then u fight like hell! Can't spend our lives fearing the unknown - although isn't that pretty much what anxiety does lol.......easier said than done but gotta think logically. For me, the anxious thoughts I have are generally pretty controlled and I can overcome them (mind over matter) but when the thoughts become overwhelming and I feel like I can't control them, is when I know it's time for a med adjustment. I'm actually surprised that throughout covid, this is the first time I'm needing a med adjustment! Guess it was to be expected right!? Have a wonderful day! Everyone keep their heads up and know we will get thru this!

Dana

 

[Cuchculan]

The anxious mind is an amazing thing. It can create something out of nothing. As for Covid? Lord knows how many times I felt coughs and sore thraots coming on since this all began. By now I have come to blame the mask that I wear. To think we still have the Winter months ahead of us. Were the whole Covid thing will probably sky rocket. They are testing for a virus. Over here they have said the normal flu would throw back a positive result. As would the flu jab. Because they contain a virus. So we will have a lot of false numbers. Ireland has gone from about 100 cases a day back up to over 1,000 cases a day. The difference? Most don't need to even go to hospital. Most are younger too. One theory put forward is those vunerable have already died first time around. Thus we are seeing loads of cases and no deaths. Or is this just the flu showing up as positive when tested? Think about homes for the elderly. They all had the flu jab at this stage. If tested a postive result will come back. But they won't need any medical attention at all. And if we had a 1,000 cases yesterday, how many will we have in two weeks time? I can see the numbers going up. But most cases don't seem to be as serious. Make your own mind up on why they are not as serious. Of any deaths, it is the normal. You would have a certain number of flu related deaths each year as a rule. They will all be put down to Covid this year.

 

[Iugrad91]

Trust me, the Covid worry is not an HA thing. Everyone I know worries that when they have the sniffles or a sore throat or an upset stomach, that it’s Covid. Numerous friends have been tested (and neg) because they didn’t feel good for a few days. I actually think my HA has allowed me to handle it better because I know how to think thru and rationalize that it’s probably the changing seasons, allergies, or something I ate. I just wish the thoughts didn’t creep up in the first place. It can be exhausting trying to wrestle with your own mind day after day.

 

[bin_tenn]

The anxious mind is an amazing thing. It can create something out of nothing. As for Covid? Lord knows how many times I felt coughs and sore thraots coming on since this all began. By now I have come to blame the mask that I wear. To think we still have the Winter months ahead of us. Were the whole Covid thing will probably sky rocket. They are testing for a virus. Over here they have said the normal flu would throw back a positive result. As would the flu jab. Because they contain a virus. So we will have a lot of false numbers. Ireland has gone from about 100 cases a day back up to over 1,000 cases a day. The difference? Most don't need to even go to hospital. Most are younger too. One theory put forward is those vunerable have already died first time around. Thus we are seeing loads of cases and no deaths. Or is this just the flu showing up as positive when tested? Think about homes for the elderly. They all had the flu jab at this stage. If tested a postive result will come back. But they won't need any medical attention at all. And if we had a 1,000 cases yesterday, how many will we have in two weeks time? I can see the numbers going up. But most cases don't seem to be as serious. Make your own mind up on why they are not as serious. Of any deaths, it is the normal. You would have a certain number of flu related deaths each year as a rule. They will all be put down to Covid this year.

Yeah, I get that. I already believe the numbers for this COVID virus are inflated or otherwise inaccurate. That's what makes the whole situation worse, IMO. Not so much that the virus is pandemic status, but that no one seems to know the true extent of it. It's nuts!

Trust me, the Covid worry is not an HA thing. Everyone I know worries that when they have the sniffles or a sore throat or an upset stomach, that it’s Covid. Numerous friends have been tested (and neg) because they didn’t feel good for a few days. I actually think my HA has allowed me to handle it better because I know how to think thru and rationalize that it’s probably the changing seasons, allergies, or something I ate. I just wish the thoughts didn’t creep up in the first place. It can be exhausting trying to wrestle with your own mind day after day.

Yep, I think you're right about it not even being an HA thing. A good friend of mine has been tested a handful of times, because he's actually been around people who tested positive. Yet my friend has tested negative every time, even when he was having what he thought may be mild symptoms. I'm with you on the idea that I wish the thoughts wouldn't crop up in the first place, but I can definitely combat them. I'm not anxious about it at this point, but the thought of possibly having it has certainly crossed my mind.

 

[Joshua1]

I'm noticing yet again how easily the anxious mind can latch on to things. It doesn't have to take over, I refuse to allow that, but fighting it can be a bit exhausting sometimes. Lately, I've been convinced that I may be coming down with COVID-19. There is no genuine reason, other than I've occasionally felt some mild fatigue along with a mildly sore throat and intermittent nasal congestion.

Just stay safe and COVID19 will not touch you, do what the government says and take precautions. It does not just go for COVID19 but for the common cold as well. Winter is arriving, its on its way. U think we should treat winter time as COVID19 and take the same precautions. Well at least that is what i will be doing.

 

[Mariemorris]

Hello! I’ve had many anxieties over COVID. It’s such a terrible addition over everything.
I usually have a sore throat (one sided), sniffles, and ear pain. When I started with the throat pain, I obviously thought COVID. I also get body aches sometimes and feel like i’m coming down with a cold - luckily, it hasn’t been that.
I’m glad that you can spot pre anxiety and find a way to manage it. It sucks when we start feeling anxious and think “Oh no, not again”.
I hope this was a false alarm! Don’t let anxiety beat you. You got this!

How long did you have throat pain? If you don’t mind me asking? And which areas was it? Xx looking for help

 

[bigjetplane6]

How long did you have throat pain? If you don’t mind me asking? And which areas was it? Xx looking for help

I’ve had it since March!!
It’s right under the jaw, and no joke the entire left side of the throat. Sometimes it’s a burning feeling, others it’s a throbbing pain.
No worries. Ask away!

 

[Mariemorris]

I’ve had it since March!!
It’s right under the jaw, and no joke the entire left side of the throat. Sometimes it’s a burning feeling, others it’s a throbbing pain.
No worries. Ask away!

I’ve had it since March!!
It’s right under the jaw, and no joke the entire left side of the throat. Sometimes it’s a burning feeling, others it’s a throbbing pain.
No worries. Ask away!

Hiw do you cope gave you had it checked by ENT ? I am so scared

 

[bigjetplane6]

Hiw do you cope gave you had it checked by ENT ? I am so scared

Yes, I went to ENT and he said it’s allergies!!
What are you feeling?

 

[Mariemorris]

Yes, I went to ENT and he said it’s allergies!!
What are you feeling?

Nagging pain, little shooting pains sometimes my ears but not that sore and little pains in my jaw sometimes

 

[bigjetplane6]

Nagging pain, little shooting pains sometimes my ears but not that sore and little pains in my jaw sometimes

Yup. That’s exactly what I feel. Sounds like allergies.

 

[Mariemorris]

Yup. That’s exactly what I feel. Sounds like allergies.

I have never had allergies what’s yours?

 

[bigjetplane6]

I have never had allergies what’s yours?

Same here, I’ve never had allergies before! Until this year. I didn’t even know allergies felt like this tbh