A nurse academic's lived experience with COVID-19: a reflective narrative

COVID-19 is incomparable in terms of its impact and reach across the globe. Every corner of the world has been affected by this virus in one way or another. The impact of COVID-19 poses an existential and physical threat to us all. This reflective narrative discusses my own experience having caught the virus and examines the impact that living with the disease has had and continues to have on my life. Battling distressing symptoms, and having had to face this life-threatening illness, evoked fear and panic within me, despite my usual level-headed, calm and easy-going personality. I ruminated whether I would be among the statistics of those who eventually recover from the disease or those who sadly do not. Therein was my mental anguish and self-torment; and I very much doubt if I am alone in this.

This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in British Journal of Mental Health Nursing, copyright © MA Healthcare, after peer review and technical editing by the publisher. To access the final edited and published work see https://doi.org/10.12968/bjmh.2021.0010