Hello dianne Duncan: I'm an older person. But I recall, many years ago, my parents used to put a few drops of eucalyptus oil into hot water & they, or I, would then breathe in the steam to clear congestion. I don't know if it was a good idea or not. But I can still recall the experience of doing it. And as I recall... it worked!

I have struggled with anxiety including agoraphobia, as well as depression, over the years. And I find that, as I get older, it is becoming more difficult to control. Where, in years past, I could push it down & just keep pluggin', as I get older I find it just seems I have less control. I don't know how old you are but perhaps at least part of what you're experiencing is age-related & not something you have any control over. Thus it is not something to disparage yourself for.

One of the problems with this sort of thing, I believe, is that it tends to spiral up. One has an experience such as you describe, which causes one to begin to worry about the new increase in anxiety. And the worry then makes the anxiety worse, & so it goes. Hopefully, having the opportunity to write, here on NT, about what you're experiencing will help you to feel okay about it... that & hopefully getting your sinus condition under better control. But, beyond that, having the opportunity to talk about what you are experiencing with someone in real life can also be helpful. So hopefully you have people around you with whom you can share your concern. I wish you well...