mask anxiety
[/mæsk æŋˈzaɪ.ə.ti/]
nounpl: mask anxieties
ansiedade ao usar máscara
1. Psychological discomfort or fear experienced when wearing a face mask, often triggered by feelings of suffocation, claustrophobia, or social self-consciousness
She developed mask anxiety during the pandemic and struggled to wear protective equipment in public spaces.
Ela desenvolveu ansiedade ao usar máscara durante a pandemia e tinha dificuldade em usar equipamento de proteção em espaços públicos.
2. Anxiety related to the social pressure or stigma of wearing masks in certain contexts
His mask anxiety was more about social judgment than physical discomfort.
Sua ansiedade ao usar máscara era mais sobre julgamento social do que desconforto físico.
3. Emotional distress caused by prolonged mask-wearing, including physical symptoms like increased heart rate or breathing difficulty
The healthcare worker managed her mask anxiety through breathing exercises.
A profissional de saúde gerenciava sua ansiedade ao usar máscara através de exercícios respiratórios.
The term became prominent during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021) when mask-wearing became mandatory in many public spaces. In Brazil, discussions about mask anxiety were common in both healthcare settings and among the general public, reflecting the tension between public health measures and individual psychological well-being. The concept gained clinical recognition as mental health professionals began treating mask-related anxiety disorders, particularly in frontline workers and individuals with pre-existing anxiety conditions.
NYC Slang
mask stress, mask freak-out, mask panic
Related Idioms & Phrases
to have a panic attack over masks
mask-related mental health issues
wearing your anxiety on your face
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