COVID-19: Anxieties about going back to work if you have a visible difference
Advice to help if you are anxious about returning to face-to-face work with your colleagues and other aspects of going back into work.
If you have a visible difference, face coverings may bring mixed feelings for you. We share advice to help you adjust to the idea of wearing a covering.
Changing Faces recommends that you follow the latest Government guidance for your nation or region on staying safe outside your home, including wearing a face covering as required.
However, if you have a visible difference or disfigurement, we know this may be complex and bring mixed feelings or additional challenges for you physically and/or emotionally.
Some people with a visible difference may find wearing a face covering or mask challenging, however others may find it comforting – and some may feel conflicted, experiencing both these feelings at times.
The ability to wear a face covering or mask may feel equalising and mean you feel less fear or worry in “facing” the world. If staring, comments or questions are something you experience regularly in public, then this may be reduced by wearing a face covering.
Masks have made a big difference but I worry about when the masks come off and if people are going to start commenting again. I don’t know if I’ll be prepared to deal with that because I’ve got used to people saying nothing. I’m hoping people remember that some people look different and remember to be kind.
However, the need to “hide away” or feeling that this is being imposed upon you may feel negative, especially if you have worked hard on coming to terms with your appearance – and are rightly proud of yourself for this. Wearing a face covering or mask may feel like a loss of your self-identity.
For some, wearing a face covering or mask may revive anxieties about people behaving as though you are contagious or something to shy away from – or take you back to previous times of shielding – feeding into old feelings and worries you have already dealt with or learned to cope with.
On the other hand, you may feel safer behind a face covering or mask. Consequently, you may struggle with social anxiety now restrictions have been eased and in some parts of the UK you’re no longer “required” to wear a mask, and this might compromise your comfortableness around returning to “reality”. You may have got used to wearing a mask or face covering in public or this may be a daily requirement of your work or study. This may cause anxieties about having to “reveal” your visible difference as face covering requirements are lifted.
If your condition, mark or scar prevents you from covering your face in the advised way or at all, you may feel anxious that people will notice or comment on this – even now the mask mandate has been dropped in England. You may feel worried that people will judge you or feel pressure to explain your reasons for not wearing a face covering or mask.
Here are some tips that you might want to think about as you consider the impact of wearing a mask or face covering:
Advice to help if you are anxious about returning to face-to-face work with your colleagues and other aspects of going back into work.
Explore what anxiety is, how it can be connected to your appearance and what you can do to control and manage feelings of worry.