Covid-19 Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) and PTSD
After the stress of two PCR tests, my reaction to the do-it-yourself-at-home Rapid Antigen Tests was relief.
Mainly because accessing a PCR test is difficult; my only option a 4km round trip on foot to a private pathology where, IF I get to the head of the queue, the confronting sight of collection staff in PPE who then poke a stick up my nose, drives my sky-high agitation toward dissociation.
So, the idea of RATs was somewhat calming.
Until I realised that with my PTSD, RATs aren’t so simple:
This pandemic constantly sets off my PTSD. A traumatised brain gets scrambled when stressed, so I need a RAT that’s really EASY to use; the more complicated the instructions, the more likely I’ll do the test wrong and get an inaccurate/invalid result. Then I’d have the added stress of either the cost of another RAT, or of accessing a PCR. Complicating this, my PTSD distrust of almost everything (including myself) means the fancier the testing apparatus (and the more bits to it), the greater my fear of the technology failing and/or of my ability to use it. Medical self-tests for any health problem are scary.
Most of the RATs on the (Australian) Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA) approved list are nasal swabs which must be inserted into the nose at a certain angle and depth to get the sample. I’ve never attempted this, but already I can picture myself, swab in one shaking hand, worrying that I’m poking up too far and wondering what would happen if I did. Would it go into my brain, resulting in a trip to hospital (one of the worst places anyone with PTSD can end up)?
Another issue is, it can be triggering to have things poked inside my body – any part of it, by anyone (including myself).
So, basically, I’d swab so shallowly out of fear, that there would be no point in doing it. That’s if I attempted it at all. And if I didn’t attempt it (and didn’t get a PCR), I’d have a possibly unnecessary, 7+ days ‘trapped’ in my house, sobbing in terror to my GP via Telehealth that “I may have covid and (despite three vaccinations), suddenly die”.
Thankfully though, there’s a small number of saliva tests on the TGA list and, reading the instructions, I’m pretty sure that even with a fearfully scattered brain, I could get a saliva test right. So, after confirming with my GP which of the saliva tests would be the best choice, I’m both decided and happy.
Until I try to source one.
Online, I find only two companies selling this particular test, both out of stock, one promising more.
And, dispiritingly, the tests are expensive ($13+ each), and difficult to buy in small quantities. I don’t need 100s of tests, nor have thousands of dollars. Even the smallest packs available (5 packs) are outside the weekly budget of a disability pension, meaning I would have to use my savings.
Then, suddenly, I hear that the Australian government will distribute free RATs to pensioners. That’s helpful. But what type of RAT? If the nasal ones end up being the cheapest and easiest to access, it makes sense that the government will hand out those ones – the ones which are near impossible for me to use.
Clearly, to get a RAT which I can use I’m probably going to have to pay a lot of money for it.
And within moments, I am confident that these RATs will work well with PTSD!!
Scrutinizing the packets, I can see that indeed, the instructions are simple, the apparatus uncomplicated. Even my scattered brain won’t be able to get it wrong, and I’m not fearful of sticking a lollipop type thing in my mouth.
What type of RATs do people with PTSD need?
RATs which are
Simple (therefore less stressful) to use
Saliva RATs are easiest
simple instructions
least invasive (less traumatic)
people who are triggered by objects in their mouth may prefer the type of tests which involve spitting into a container (rather than an oral swab)
Cheap or free, with options
if free or subsidised, provide a choice of RAT (saliva or nasal) so people can choose the one they can best use/is least traumatic
Widely available in the community