Face Mask Anxiety and Paranoia
Coronavirus has been around us for a year now, which means it also marks a year of wearing Face Masks. In most areas, Face Masks/Coverings are now essential; shops, school, workplaces, public transport. For many, it causes nothing more than a mild irritation on their face, a bit of sweating around the jaw or slight discomfort.
However, for many who experience mental health difficulties or have experienced trauma, wearing a Face Mask can cause more than a little rash or discomfort. Of course, as per the Scottish Government’s guidelines, some people can be exempt from wearing a Face Mask. As stated on the website:
Some people may not be able to wear a face covering safely and therefore could have an exemption… This includes where it would cause difficulty, pain or severe distress or anxiety to the wearer or the person in the care of the wearer.
Some people choose not to wear a Face Mask because of the above extract, however many people choose to wear a Face Mask despite their exemption due to a variety of reasons. This could be through fear of being judged or called out, nobody knowing about their anxiety/distress/trigger, or being questioned as to why they aren’t wearing one (please remember that you do not have to disclose your personal information in detail to anyone, that is a breach of your privacy. Nobody should be forced to explain why they are exempt. Especially not in front of a crowd of people at a store entrance.)
Face Masks mean you can’t read people’s facial expressions, but what other downsides can they have?
How Can Face Masks Cause Anxiety/Paranoia?
Face Masks can trigger paranoia or anxiety in a multitude of ways. Some of the following examples can give you an idea of what aspect of mask wearing can lead to them becoming problematic:
Face Masks Cover Airways
Some people have anxiety around being enclosed or restricted (think, Claustrophobia.) Face Masks heighten this through being an additional barrier over our mouths. Sometimes it can feel like being locked in a tiny room.
Covered airways can also be a trigger for past trauma. Some people who have been in situations where their mouths have been covered or if they have felt silenced in the past, can see Face Masks as a reminder of this.
Face Masks Hide Your Identity
People who struggle with a range of illnesses can experience anxiety due to not being able to either see other people fully or see parts of themselves.
Some people who experience Body Dysmorphia who wear Face Masks, cover the only part of their body they are happy with. This can make them feel extremely uncomfortable and anxious knowing that their face is covered and may lead them to think that areas of their body they don’t like, are more noticeable.
Some people experience paranoia in relation to who people are. This can be a result of delusions or hallucinations, or general mistrust of people. Face Masks cause a problem here due to them covering a large part of a person’s face. Perhaps said person remembers who their nurse is because of the shape of their lips. It might just be the thing that stops someone receiving the support they need and isolating themselves.
Face Masks are Something New
It can be something as simple as the fabric of a Face Mask that can send someone into sensory overload. Some people generally don’t like people or objects touching their face. Yet it’s something most of us have to wear on a daily basis.
Change can be a huge trigger for anxiety. Walking to your local shopping centre and browsing the store is long in the past, meeting friends for lunch and going to the cinema isn’t as much of a pleasure anymore. There have been a lot of changes because of this pandemic, and Face Masks for some, is just a change too far.
If watching the news or turning the corner to see another ‘Socially Distance Yourself From Others’ isn’t a big enough reminder of COVID-19, then Face Masks sure as hell don’t let you forget we’re still in the midst of the pandemic. When you’re at home, with your family or your dog, it can almost feel like you’re in a safe cocoon. As soon as you step out the door and check you’ve got everything for your outing, the daunting reminder of the pandemic lurks at the bottom of your pocket. Keys, phone, Face Mask. All of a sudden, anxiety hits; will you catch it? Is it safe to go out today? Will the shops be too busy?
Face Masks Obstruct Our Ability to Read Others’ Facial Expressions
We communicate more to each other non-verbally than what we do through talking. It’s estimated that 93% of our communication is non-verbal. What does that mean? We communicate through our tone, body language, gestures, facial expressions… even how close we get to each other (6 metres apart remember!)
Is it any wonder that we feel more anxious whilst talking to others when part of that 93% non-verbal communication is hidden behind plastic partitions and Face Masks. Is the person we’re talking to mad, sad, happy, annoyed? Unless you’re an expert eye reader, your guess is as good as mine. Now I know tone of voice still exists here, but then, is it just me that finds they have to shout at the cashier at the checkout so they can hear me?
For people who experience paranoia, this can be a big trigger too. Put yourself in someone’s shoes for a minute (it might be your own for all I know) Here’s an example.
Person A is talking to Person B. Person A experiences paranoia. Person B is talking about their friend and how lovely they are. Person A can’t tell if the person is being sarcastic or if they’re mocking their friend, because they’re shouting over the crowd in the shop. Person A also can’t tell if it’s their friend actually talking, because they can’t see their mouth moving. Person A starts to wonder if there’s someone behind them mocking Person B. Person A becomes increasingly paranoid and leaves the shop before they had the chance to get their items.
This list doesn’t cover all the reasons, but they’re a few examples of how Face Masks can trigger paranoia and anxiety. If the pandemic has taught me anything, it’s that people can be quick to judge others without thinking of the possible reasons behind why someone might not want to/doesn’t wear a Face Mask OR why someone doesn’t cope with interacting with others as well as they did before Face Masks became compulsory.
How Can I help Myself, or How Can I Help Someone I Know?
For You - Take Breaks - go outside and breathe in the fresh air. Take a lunch break outside of work, even if it’s just to the nearest bench or in your car. Have a pause outside between shops and gather your thoughts. It can be overwhelming to wear a mask over a long period of time, and it’s just as essential to take time for yourself.
For Others - Be Patient - if someone you love, know or work with requires a bit more time whilst doing something, let them have it. If you’re going to the shops with a friend and they want a break between shops, let them have it. Yes, right now you’ve to limit your time around people, but giving someone the time and space to let them recover for a period of time, can make so much difference.
For You - Remind Yourself of the Benefits - It can be scary being reminded that we’re in the middle of a pandemic, but we’re all doing our part. Yourself included. Every step you and others take to follow the government’s guidance, makes a difference and keeps everyone safe. Sometimes at the end of the day, you can feel zapped from hearing non-stop and being reminded non-stop of COVID-19, but you should feel proud of yourself for taking part in a community that wants everyone to be safe and well.
For Others - Be Mindful - I know waiting in queues can be mundane and seeing someone pausing in the middle of a shop for 5 minutes to gather their thoughts can be another inconvenience. But remember, that 5 minutes that person is taking can be the difference between them getting their food shopping or not eating for a week. We don’t know what’s going on inside each other’s heads, don’t resort to tutting and throwing insults around. It doesn’t help anyone.
For You - Look for Gestures/Body Language - If you’re worried about who a person is, what they’re saying and how they’re saying it; look for gestures and body language to reassure you. Some people have their ‘quirks’ let’s call them. Whether it’s using a favoured word or flicking their hair to the side. Look for the laughs in conversations, or them being open in posture (no crossed arms.)
For Others - Be Open and Positive with Your Body Language - It’s easy to stand anywhere with your arms crossed out of habit. I know, I’m the world’s worst for it. But I don’t mean anything by it. If you could see the smile on my face, you’d know that but unfortunately right now, very little people see it. Try to keep your body open and inviting, throw a thumb up or clap your hands. Try to make sure you’re reassuring a person rather than looking like you’re going to tell them off.
For You - Tell People How You’re Feeling - Communication is key, as referred to above in the body language section, but we can still use words too. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or you’re in a situation you don’t want to be in. Say it. Say you don’t want to go out, or say that you need to have a break. You don’t have to explain why, but it could help. If you’re at work, you can be supported to find alternative ways to work to accommodate your anxieties. Talk to your teachers, your friends, your family. There’s more people that feel like you, than you actually think.
For Others - Offer Distraction or Alternative - Thanks to technology, we can easily FaceTime or Zoom each other without leaving our beds or changing out of those favourite pyjamas. Use them to your advantage. If someone feels uncomfortable meeting in a shop or café (when they eventually open), look for a walking or cycling route or a local park. If someone is becoming anxious because they’ve listened to the news non-stop about COVID-19, remind them of their achievements or plans for the future. It doesn’t have to always be COVID-19 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
For You - Consider Your Exemption or Seek an Alternative - If you deeply struggle with wearing a Face Mask, there are alternative. Other than a complete exemption to wearing a Face Mask/Covering, there are options such as Face Shields out there. Consider the fabric of your mask. Weigh out your options. At the end of the day, if you feel like your anxiety/mental health becomes severely impacted by Face Coverings, the only person that needs to know the reason is you.
As COVID-19 starts to dwindle into the past, I hope that in the future we won’t have to worry about wearing Face Masks (we can keep the social distancing though, because… I’m a social hermit anyway.) But until then, if we all take the steps ourselves, to be mindful of our own limits and aware of our feelings and mental health, and take into consideration what other people might be experiencing and show empathy and understanding, we will get to the other side quicker. And maybe, just maybe, some of us will turn out to be a little kinder to each other.
As always, if you liked the article, feel free to give it a like at the bottom of the page. Feel free to share on the social medias, if not for yourself but for others. Drop us a comment below if there’s anything you’d like to share or expand on, you might have some tips yourself for people!
Until next time, stay happy, stay healthy and stay positive. And remember, someone out there cares about you, so if you need help or feel like chatting, reach out.
Beth
