HOW I OVERCAME POST-COVID ANXIETY WITH COUNSELLING: MY JOURNEY TO RECOVERY

Undoubtedly, COVID-19 has been a global pandemic that has affected so many millions of people around the world. As someone who contracted the virus, I (like many others) experienced firsthand both the physical and emotional toll it can take on a person.  Although I recovered from the virus quite quickly, I was left with crippling post-Covid anxiety, which came to affect my daily life. With the help of counselling, I was able to overcome my health-related anxiety and begin the journey to recovery.

I think the most significant benefit of counselling was being provided with a safe and non-judgemental space where I could talk about my anxiety. Here my counsellor listened to my concerns and worries and helped me to understand that the symptoms I was experiencing were a natural response to the trauma I had experienced. This led to me feeling much less alone and far more understood, lessening my anxiety. 

Counselling helped me to understand what was triggering my anxiety and reactions. My counsellor helped me to identify the situations that triggered my anxiety and taught me how to manage them when they occurred. She also helped me to develop some coping mechanisms that help me to feel more in control of my reactions. She taught me some deep breathing exercises, helpful mindfulness techniques and relaxation exercises, which help me to lower my anxiety, manage my flashbacks and reduce my other symptoms too. 

Contracting COVID-19 has really affected my self-esteem and confidence. I think it was because I had a particularly severe case of the virus. My counsellor worked through my fears with me and rebuilt my confidence and self-esteem. This process enabled me to identify my strengths and abilities, and I have developed a much more positive outlook on life.  

Together, we developed a maintenance plan to keep my post-Covid anxiety under control after my counselling was finished. The strategies included some ongoing self-care, such as exercise and healthy eating. 

I would say that counselling was a vital part of my recovery from anxiety brought on post-Covid. It gave me a safe and supportive environment in which I could work through my symptoms and learn to develop strategies to manage them. I am in a much better place today, and I credit that to counselling for helping me to overcome my anxiety. If you are struggling, don't wait until you feel completely out of control, make that phone call or send an email today it will make such a difference to your life.