COVID-19 Symptoms vs. Anxiety Indicators
## Understanding the Differences Between Anxiety and COVID-19 Symptoms
In these challenging times, it's essential to be aware of the differences between anxiety and COVID-19 symptoms, as they can share some similarities. This article aims to shed light on the key distinctions between the two.
### Recognising Anxiety Symptoms
Anxiety often manifests as feelings of worry, nervousness, or dread that are disproportionate to the situation at hand. Other psychological and emotional symptoms may include irritability, restlessness, and a sense of impending doom.
Physical symptoms can also be present, such as muscle tension, trembling, rapid heartbeat, sweating, dizziness, and gastrointestinal discomfort (nausea, diarrhea). Insomnia or unrefreshed sleep is also common, as well as mental symptoms like concentration difficulties, forgetfulness, and a sense of mental "fog" often referred to as "brain fog."
Anxiety symptoms are typically triggered by stressors and may fluctuate in intensity based on environmental or psychological factors. Symptoms may improve with relaxation techniques, therapy, or medications such as antidepressants or benzodiazepines.
### Identifying COVID-19 Symptoms
COVID-19 is primarily a respiratory illness, with dry cough, shortness of breath, and chest discomfort being hallmark signs. Fever and chills are also common, while loss of taste or smell is a distinctive symptom of the infection.
Physical fatigue is another symptom, although in COVID-19 it is often accompanied by other signs of infection, such as body aches and fever. Neurological symptoms, such as memory, concentration, and word-finding difficulties, can also occur, often accompanied by acute illness and may persist as part of "Long COVID."
The onset of COVID-19 symptoms typically arises within days of exposure and may resolve within a couple of weeks, though "Long COVID" can cause prolonged symptoms.
### Overlapping Symptoms
Both conditions may cause fatigue and exhaustion, sleep disturbances (insomnia or unrefreshed sleep), concentration and memory problems ("brain fog"), headaches, and dizziness. However, the presence of fever, cough, loss of taste or smell, and respiratory symptoms strongly suggests COVID-19, while predominant worry, restlessness, and physical symptoms without signs of infection point toward anxiety.
### Seeking Medical Advice
If respiratory symptoms, fever, or loss of taste or smell are present, COVID-19 testing and medical evaluation are recommended. If symptoms are primarily psychological and situational, consider anxiety, especially if there is a history of mental health issues or recent stressors.
For persistent or severe symptoms, it's crucial to consult a healthcare provider for a comprehensive assessment, as both conditions can have significant impacts on health and well-being.
### Support for Managing Anxiety
It's important to remember that help is available for those experiencing anxiety. Many pharmaceutical companies offer programmes for those without insurance, and Medicaid is a social welfare program that covers the cost of mental health treatments. Additionally, some therapists offer treatment on a sliding scale, based on a person's income.
If a person is having frequent panic attacks, they may wish to see a healthcare professional for treatment options. Some universities and colleges offer low-cost therapy sessions with graduate students under supervision, although availability may be limited.
When experiencing a panic attack, it's essential to try to remember to breathe slowly and deeply, stay where they are, focus on positive, peaceful, and relaxing images, and remember that it is not life-threatening.
### A Final Note on Chest Pain
Differences between chest pain associated with panic attacks and chest pain associated with COVID-19 include duration and type of pain. If a person experiences any chest pain, it is best to seek emergency medical care, as it could indicate a heart attack. If a person thinks they might have symptoms of COVID-19, they should call a doctor to determine the appropriate next steps.
- Anxiety may present symptoms such as muscle tension, rapid heartbeat, sweating, dizziness, and gastrointestinal discomfort, whereas COVID-19 primarily causes dry cough, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, fever, and loss of taste or smell.
- If a person is experiencing frequent panic attacks, seeking treatment from a healthcare professional may be necessary to explore potential options.
- Mental health issues like anxiety and panic attacks can significantly impact health and well-being, and it's essential to remember that help is available, such as programs for those without insurance, Medicaid, and services offered by therapists on a sliding scale.
- Chest pain associated with panic attacks is typically of shorter duration and a different type compared to chest pain associated with a heart attack or COVID-19, making it crucial to seek emergency medical care as soon as possible.
- It's vital to understand the differences between anxiety and COVID-19 symptoms to avoid misdiagnosis or unnecessary worry, especially since both conditions can produce an overlap in symptoms like fatigue, sleep disturbances, concentration and memory problems, and headaches.
