I have health anxiety and this pandemic has really triggered me - I was doing so well recently but today I could feel my physical symptoms creeping back (tight throat, sweats, tight chest) that happen after I eat or drink something (because I worry that I’ve given myself an illness). I’m not sure what to do because I am finding it hard to avoid the triggers (the news atm) because it’s everywhere!!! And I’m a Student Teacher so I’m still getting constant updates from my uni/school/course mates on the situation and it’s making my anxiety almost unbearable right now. Any tips would be well received!!

Can you set a limit for yourself on how often you’re checking your phone, watching the news, etc.?

I relate to this, especially with tight throat when I eat something or after working out I’ll be scared I’m getting sick. You’re not alone.

I am also experiencing waves of anxiety with the pandemic. Sometimes I am able to rationalize and calm down to relax because I am staying in my home where I am safe. If you live alone or with family, if people are not coming and going from work and having guest over, if you wiped everything down then you did it once and the virus can’t get inside. I find that comforting!!

In addition, even people without OCD are experiencing high anxiety because they are extroverted, loosing money, and don’t want to get sick either! We are experiencing something that is new to everyone and scary. As long as you know you are doing everything you can to take care of yourself emotionally and physically we will be safe! We have to resist the urge to look things up and try not to get upset about what others are doing. Please try to relax for just one hour one day doing something you love- reading, art, at home work out, listening to music.. then hopefully it will get easier as the days go on!! Then that 1 hour can be two in a week! I know personally my anxiety is ruining my sleep and making me have similar symptoms and it’s hard to know what is real. These times I spend to specifically calm down I feel okay and healthy. Then when I am nervous I can think back to that time and remember I didn’t have these symptoms then and it’s most likely anxiety causing it!