Coronavirus Anxiety: What Is It?

The coronavirus disease 2019 is a proven threat worldwide and is currently a pandemic. As stated by WHO, "Seventeen million people in the entire world are confirmed cases of the coronavirus, and deaths are now reported to be at 690 thousand ". These statistics are not just numbers - they are people.

You might know someone who struggled with COVID 19. With that, it's inevitable not to worry about your safety or your loved ones. With the coronavirus being seen as a threat, increased calls of distress have been reported throughout the US. Most calls were centered on the severe signs of anxiety and a demand for an anxiety care plan.

WHAT IS CORONAVIRUS ANXIETY

Coronavirus anxiety or COVID anxiety is a term that explains the signs of anxiety you're feeling towards the pandemic. It means that you are anxious because of the threat of catching the coronavirus.

It isn't a clinical term for anxiety. But, if unaddressed it could develop into an anxiety disorder.

Feeling COVID anxiety is normal and valid. It shows that you're grounded with reality. It means you know that the pandemic is real and should be taken seriously. The fear you have towards it is normal, which doesn't mean that you're going nuts. It means that you are aware and that you are afraid - and that's okay.

When you're scared, it shows you see something or someone as a threat to you or someone you love. This threat ignites signs of anxiety, and your body or mind tries to cope so that you won't feel severely disturbed by it.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF COVID RELATED ANXIETY?

While fear and anxiety are natural, COVID anxiety must be taken seriously. If not, this will affect you psychologically and physically. Here are the signs of COVID anxiety:

UNCONTROLLABLE THOUGHTS AND WORRYING

If the thoughts you have are about the pandemic and it creates worry and fear, this is one of the signs of anxiety. It's normal to think about the pandemic. But, if you find yourself always thinking about it, it sparks up anxiety. Worry and fear are two peas in a pod. Both feelings feed on each other, and it eventually creates anxiety.

INABILITY TO FOCUS

One of the signs of anxiety is your inability to focus. You feel alert, but staying focused isn't happening. When you're anxious, you lose focus because everything feels like a threat. Activities that require laser focus may be hard since persistent thoughts come up.

RESTLESSNESS

Being unable to sleep or rest is a sign of COVID anxiety. The inability to feel calm or rested can affect your day-to-day function. You may feel on edge, exhausted, or unmotivated if you aren't able to get proper rest.

PANIC ATTACKS

For severe cases, you show signs of anxiety through a full-blown panic attack or symptoms of it. Persistent, overwhelming thoughts trigger panic attacks. It causes physical symptoms like feeling tingling sensations, sweating, hyperventilation, inability to breathe correctly, nausea, or passing out.

Related: Understanding Panic Attacks

COVID anxiety is real. It may be happening to you right now. It may be happening to someone you love. You must understand it for what it is and its signs.

The pandemic is a threat, and it's normal to feel anxious about it. But if the anxiety you've been feeling changes your ability to function, it's important to reach out for help from a trained counselor or therapist.

A counselor or therapist can help you establish a safety plan and anxiety care plan to address this early on. Addressing your anxiety about COVID can help you stop struggling with your thoughts. Early intervention prevents the formation of an anxiety disorder.

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