topic Alone during covid19 in PTSD and trauma

Alone during covid19

Tialee — Mon, 30 Mar 2020 13:00:30 GMT

Hi, this is my first time posting and I guess it's a big step on my road to recovery o could go on and on g or hours
About my past hurt and trauma but I will save you all the agonising experience and just say it has left me with
A case of bpd , anxiety and depression .
At this present point in time the world is going crazy but I'm finding it extra extremely difficult to go on living.
I am a single mum I work full time and I'm currently off work due to a heap of medical issues .
My children are at their fathers so I can recover and get better from said health issues
As of tonight we go into lockdown which essentially means I am in lockdown alone and I'm finding it so hard to deal with .
My anxiety is crippling , my head is a mess and I guess I'm just wondering how everyone else is dealing with being away from loved ones ?,
Dealing with the extra added stress that the world is producing atm .?
Thankyou

Alone during covid19

Guest_9043 — Mon, 30 Mar 2020 15:07:55 GMT

Hi there,

Thanks for posting. I would like to re assure you, you are not alone. Perhaps in the physical sense you are, however many many people are struggling. The changes have been swift and fast. It's big shock to anyone's system. Before this all hit suddenly I had a gone through an extremely severe mental breakdown two or three days before it. Being told that face to face counselling was off the shelf for me, groups being cancelled until further notice and events I wanted to go to cancelled was something that was not welcome at the time. I really needed all of that with the breakdown i just had. I don't even have any concept of time and which day it is most days. I have had to come up with solutions to cope and cope with ever changing rules added to the pre- existing ones. Many many Australians including yourself are fighting battles within themselves and also externally. It is bound to have a toll. All I can say is keep your chin up, post on Beyond Blue as much as you like and get the much need rest you need to recover.

Take good care of you.

2quik.

Alone during covid19

ElectricBlue — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 00:52:15 GMT

Hi Tialee,

I really feel for you during these crazy times. I understand how isolating and lonely it can be right now.

Are you able to facetime, skype etc. your kids?

Keep reaching out to others as much as you need to.

Alone during covid19

Tialee — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 10:08:49 GMT

Thank you so much for replying , I kind of didn't expect anyone to reply .
I've never been in the headspace that I am in right now and just seeing that someone took the time out to reply has helped me so much .

Alone during covid19

Tialee — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 10:10:31 GMT

Thankyou so much for replying like I just said to the previous comment I really didn't believe anyone would comment .
After I put this up i downloaded some different apps to get hold of the children so hopefully their fathers think it's a good idea and download them too .

Alone during covid19

Diddles — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 10:37:05 GMT

Hi... I’m living alone too and it’s so hard. I have implemented a routine which has helped but the nights are really difficult and I am super lonely and anxious at the thought this could go on for a long time. I also feel like a lot of the media are covering stories on helping families cope but not a lot on how single people, living alone can. Seems odd, but it does feel nice to know there are others out there like me... so in a sense, I’m not alone.

Alone during covid19

Tialee — Wed, 01 Apr 2020 08:57:51 GMT

It really does seem odd getting satisfaction out of others downfall stories but it really makes one realise that they aren't alone that there are others put there struggling and some who have it worse
It puts things in to perspecrive that's for sure .
Also Thank you for replying 🙂

Alone during covid19

ElectricBlue — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 06:23:51 GMT

Hi Tialee,

I get what you mean. Knowing that others out there are experiencing the same thing can help (even if it's sad that it's happening to others as well). I think what it comes down to is feeling less alone and having people who can understand what you're going through.

I hope you've been able to video chat with your kids.

Alone during covid19

Lu_109 — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 10:30:41 GMT

Hi Tialee,

I'm quite new on here as well, so welcome!

I hear you, it's an extremely difficult situation and it sounds like you're doing your best in what's a really rotten hand of cards. I definitely know what you mean, and I'm experiencing a lot of increased anxiety myself from this whole covid situation.

What I've found really helpful, in addition to reaching out to loved ones via various online platforms (I've personally found that 'Hangouts' is quite good, and it has some hilarious trivia games you can play on the call) is various mindfulness techniques.

When I first started trying to practice mindfulness was definitely a bit daunting and I had a lot of questions. How do I know what will work? Where do I start? How do I choose which app?

What I did, was I started small. I did breathing exercises once a day for five minutes, and journaled when I felt like I needed to. I found that this worked well for me and now, do the breathing as I'm going to sleep and journal sometimes twice a day, which is really helping me 'get out of my head' and sort through my racing thoughts.

I'd also definitely recommend having a look at hobbies and ways to pass the time. It could be getting into writing, learning a new skill, or maybe researching something you've always wanted to know more about.

I was going to put in a link to a useful post about what to do when stuck at home, but I don't think we're allowed to put links, so I'd just google it and a lot of articles will show up, you just need to figure out which one resonates with you.

With all that being said though, please don't feel pressured to do anything you're not up to. Don't feel like you have to come out of this a whole new version of yourself. You're doing your best, and that's all anyone can ever ask of you. Stay strong.

Alone during covid19

Guest_9043 — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 06:08:05 GMT

Hi TiaLee

Sorry I only saw this today. You are welcome and I do hope you are starting to feel much better or at least a tiny bit better.

2quik

Alone during covid19

Tialee — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 06:17:09 GMT

Hi lu, thankyou for such a long detailed post I have found my anxiety and depression has been at its highest these past few days and funnily enough without even reading your msg I have started doing the things you have suggested . So thankyou again

Alone during covid19

Tialee — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 06:19:40 GMT

Yes that's exactly it having someone to relate to very much helps . I have been in contact with my children and as hard as it is I know they are in the best space for them to be and will be with me as soon as they are able to be .
I had surgery the other day so I have to now really isolate untill I can go back to work so fingers crossed that is for to long

Alone during covid19

Tialee — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 06:22:03 GMT

2quik I'm not going to lie the past few days have been the worst for me personally in a long time .
I went to the doctor today though and started my health journey also by doing simple things I should have done yonks ago like getting my eyes tested .
I've started researching courses to keep me busy and hoping to get back to work . So whilst mentally I'm not a 100 percent I feel like I'm on the way thankyou

Alone during covid19

Guest_9043 — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 13:25:17 GMT

TiaLee,

I know this might be a funny way of looking at things right now. I will say though that you are really not alone. I think it is safe to say all of us here are struggling with our own different things now to do with Covid19 and life in general. The past week has been the week from hell from me. I see from the steps that you have taken recently shows to me you have the ability to offer yourself love and care by going to get your eyes tested and doing simple little things. Studying is a great way to keep you busy and comes with it learning something new or something you have always wanted to do. I just enrolled in my Editing II course today and start this week. I am so excited. I have been wanting to do this for years and finally am. I hope you find something you would love to study.

2quik.

Alone during covid19

Tialee — Fri, 10 Apr 2020 06:04:18 GMT

Small steps at a time , day by day I guess I'm so glad you are finally doing a course I hope I soon find one I wish to do also .
Thankyou