LETTER OF THE MONTH

What a relief it was to read “A World Of Worry”. Recent events have been incredibly challenging for everyone and I have noticed the impact on my own mental wellbeing.

Like Meredith Arthur, I too have never considered myself a worrier. But several of the tell-tale signs mentioned now sound familiar to me—feelings of uncertainty and fear, over thinking and an inability to relax have all recently manifested in my life. Immediately after my first COVID vaccination, while waiting for the obligatory ten minutes, I found my hands shaking uncontrollably as I convinced myself I was likely to have a massive allergic reaction to the dose.

Lifestyle adjustments like exercise are a great help, and I’ll certainly take Dr Minden’s advice to accept my anxieties. Perhaps the most reassuring point I’ll remember is that I’m not alone, and many people encounter anxiety in some form or another. It may be ironic, but reading about how excessive worrying can cause debilitating effects has actually made me feel a lot less worried!