To call the present times tough would be a major understatement. The nation is continuing to grapple with the ongoing second wave of COVID-19 and its aftermath.
The situation is indeed dire with the increasing graph of ever growing positive COVID cases and a major scarcity of essential services. Someone that you know or acquaintances with may likely have contracted the virus or you may have lost your loved one to it. You may have also tested positive for the virus.
Perilous times-
We are living in such perilous times that many people including me feel so helpless and powerless that we are not able to help the situation. It is a terrible feeling, isn’t it?
The pandemic has bought some new terms amongst us which came in the aftermath of COVID. They are referred to as COVID induced depression, post-COVID stress disorder, COVID anxiety amongst others. These disorders were present even before the virus arrived but the likelihood of them affecting people has increased drastically these days. In this article, we will focus mainly on COVID anxiety.
Have a glance at these questions and see whether they ring a bell.
- Do you constantly worry that you or someone you know may be infected with COVID-19?
- Is the feeling of uncertainly making you feel uncomfortable?
- Are you afraid that you or your loved ones may not have access to the proper health care and facilities if you contract the infection?
- Do you often find yourself worrying that you may lose your livelihood?
- Are you experiencing uncomfortable and unexplainable worrying with heaviness in your heart which seems to just stay with you always?
There’s a high chance that you may answer yes to one or more than one of these questions.
It makes perfect sense, doesn’t it? We are under tremendous pressure and it’s normal to feel these negative feeling. But if you find yourself constantly thinking about the negative aspects of the situation and feel yourself being engulfed by the anxious emotions, then maybe you are experiencing COVID Anxiety.
According to the National Alliance of Mental Health, most people encountering anxiety may feel these symptoms which include both physical and emotional symptoms.
They include:
- constant feeling of uncertainty
- feeling of dread and fear while facing a situation
- disconnection with one’s self
- the feeling of restlessness and irritability
- experiencing tense and uncomfortable emotions
- shortness of breath or feeling of choking during panic attacks
- experiencing heart pounding or fluttering feeling in the heart
- shaky limbs, tingling in the fingers or numbness.
- thinking about the future and worrying about the possibilities
Experiencing some of these symptoms may not necessarily mean you have COVID induced anxiety. Although if you find yourself being overwhelmed by these then maybe it is time to pay heed to what your body is telling you.
Stay safe and know that this too shall pass.
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