Listener question: 'My issue is basically experiencing debilitating fear.  Just to explain......To date I have elected not take up the offer of vaccines in relation to the current pandemic.  This decision is based on my own research and I do not judge those that have done differently. I see a time very soon (I know future thinking) when the unvaccinated will be unfairly discriminated against for their decisions. I wondered if you can speak to this fear Clare? 

Primarily,  I think it’s around being unfairly judged, blamed and punished (Wow - as an aside Clare, even typing this made me well up) by many who have chosen a different road or those that impose the rules. 

Secondly, I’m afraid of where this is going, Our civil rights are changing, the impact on society of lockdowns imposed whilst many experts are being ignored.

Thirdly,  I fear, the outcome if the government blame the unvaccinated for the continued restrictions, in the same way symptomatic spread was Incorrectly targeted. 

I’m trying really hard to pinpoint this Clare....it’s around a fear of standing out, being unfairly judged, blamed and punished and the abuse of power/trust.  When I speak of fear, it can present as all consuming ‘terror‘.

this is a fear of judgement, physical punishment (harm) and abandonment.  But more importantly as an adult, it’s how it manifests in the body.... how debilitating and fear inducing those sensations are that seem to render me in fight or flight.  

These can be triggered easily, ie just being in the spotlight etc.  Could it be possible this has nothing to do with the pandemic???