YOU ARE NOT ALONE - A companion online community discussion board for The Mental Illness Happy Hour podcast with Paul Gilmartin

Reports of a third community spread case of coronavirus tonight. The virus is on 6 continents. Shit is getting real. I don't know about you but I'm feeling fear. The virus is loose and as much as government officials may try to reassure us, the reality is the reality. This virus is very dangerous and it is spreading. I hope everybody is going to be okay out there but I'm feeling pretty nervous tonight.

Brown blob!

We’re going to make it, together.

Here is my advice: stock up on some extra food, and see if you can get a stockpile of prescribed medicine.

Keep posting here.

We are planning on stocking up on things. The cat is very spoiled and he wouldn't understand if he ran out of his favorite food. We always keep more than the average person on hand, but we discussed It last night and decided to get some extra just in case. I'll be fine if I run out of meds. The concern would be hers(lots of medical problems) but pharmacies and insurance are funny about those things nowdays. I already isolate myself, but for others they may have to stay out of public places as a precaution. I know this is not the end of the world, but this virus is bad.

Hey brownblob,

Yeah, I think we are all scared of the corona virus... People are buying up all of the masks and freaking out... But unless you are in China, the death toll/infection rate is pretty low and if you live in a civilized country, the medical system is great at treating the victims. Most people who have it don't even know they have it because the symptom is so weak (yes, and that's why the immune compromised people are at risk). I know that's not going to help your fear and I'm not trying to change your feelings in any way. This is just my personal feelings towards it.

I have so many other shit to deal with that, frankly, I don't have the capacity to put another fear on my plate!

Take care of yourself, brownblob. Extra Vitamin C, D and Zinc won't hurt! Praying that you'll be safe!
I'm sure when spring rolls around, the virus will lose some of it's power.

Love,
Brooke

The greatest defense...hand washing...is within all our abilities. Take that, virus!
I buy a big pack of cheapie gloves in the winter and wear them everywhere. It keeps me from having direct contact with door handles and reminds me not to touch my face.
Heather

Didn't ladies wear gloves as a matter of course in the 50's, just like men wore hats back then?

Bring back fashion!

Oh SD, those old movies with men in hats! The best!
5 years ago a man tipped his hat to me in a parking lot and I will never forget it.
Heather

Keep in mind that panic is highly contagious also.

If you have a history of anxiety you may actually have a greater insight into panic than the average person.

Hopefully you can use this to your advantage and the benefit and safety of others.

BeanyBoo what a lovely sentiment!
Heather

Hi BB, I'm mostly writing to say "I see you." I am going to share my own story to commiserate. Hopefully you don't feel like this is minimizing your experience on this as that it not my intent. My point in sharing is to help you feel like you're not alone (like we would in a support group).

I have a history of health-related anxiety/OCD myself. I (very briefly) touched on this during my episode interview but it was this anxiety that really brought me to my knees in 2016 and finally got me to seek help. In my case (2016) it was neurological disorders like MS, ALS, Alzheimer's, etc. So, when COVID-19 started circulating I kept expecting that I was going to have some kind of reaction but I didn't. I literally told my therapist last week that I was pleasantly surprised at this and that I was taking it as a sign of recovery.

All of that hit a wall yesterday. I was in a local Target looking for some last-minute stuff before my family entered our own quarantine (none of us are positive, we're just trying to take the warnings seriously). I turned a corner on an aisle and there were *tons* of people on the aisle. My anxiety brain went out of control and I got very claustrophobic and my brain started hearing all of the people breathing (and maybe sniffling) and my panic shot out of control. Fortunately, my wife recognized what was going on and got me out of there pronto. Still, it took most of the rest of the day (and lots of my DBT skills) to come down from it.

I've seen you around here on the boards and you're so supportive of others. I hope that you have a toolbox of skills that you can tap into in order to get through this. As the others have said, just follow the guidance of the medical folks and just focus on what YOU can control. We'll get through this!