Vaccine anxiety is a reality many people are expiercing. Nowadays it’s practically impossible to have a conversation about Covid without mentioning the vaccine. You might be in a situation where the people you’re surrounded by are for or against the vaccine.
People seem anxious to talk about it with their family and friends, due to the topic being so divisive.
Social media shows us countless examples of friends, family, colleagues and public opinion in threads of comments where we have in many cases turned against each other. It’s no longer predictable and safe to openly discuss how we feel, if you are uncertain either way there is someone right around the corner ready to pull you quickly in either way they want.
You might be concerned about vaccine effectiveness and side effects or when you might get your vaccine.
The fake news, protests against it and thousands of different opinions, have made it hard to know what it’s true and what isn’t.
Identify your vaccine anxiety and your concerns
Whether you are for or against it, the first step to stop the vaccine anxiety is to accept it’s real.
The worst way to affront anxiety is by avoiding it, and let it take control of your decisions.
Remember it’s okay if you feel anxious when something is new, the majority of people do and there’s nothing wrong with it.
After accepting your anxiety you identify your fears. To get to know what is causing this feeling it’s needed to be able to stop it.
Get informed
Once you have identified your fears, you have to find information that addresses them correctly.
Research reliable sources and studies. Another way of stopping you concerns is talking to your GP, and they will answer your questions.
Make a decision
Whether is getting vaccinated or not, making a decision it’s important.
You’ve done your research and you have facts you can trust that will help you decide by yourself what’s your next move.
In case your anxiety comes back hold on to your decision and sources.
Be aware
The topic is on the air, everyone is talking about it and listening to many different opinions coming from everywhere.
Unfortunately, it’s no longer predictable and safe to openly discuss our opinions or even how we feel, if you are uncertain about your decisions, there’s someone right around the corner ready to pull you in either direction they want and claim you for your ideas.
“This situation fuels anxiety, closing the door to communication which increases vulnerability and decreases resilience” said the counsellor Emma Eilbeck.
To be aware is as important as the other steps. Don’t let and unsafe environment let your anxiety come back or your decisions to be unclear.
This doesn’t mean you can’t talk about Covid vaccination, the truth is you should be able to do it freely without anyone judging you.
“One of the massive building blocks to emotional resilience is the ability to share our story, to open up and talk and be heard without fear” said Emma.
Treat others the same way you would like to be treated, just support them and their mental health, whether you are for or against their ideas. If you need to talk about it, reach out our lines are open 24/7.
