Coping during the Coronavirus outbreak

[Sophie_M]

We recognise that many of us here in the community are feeling scared, worried and overwhelmed about Coronavirus (COVID19). 

As a result, we created this thread to allow people to come together here during those difficult times and encouraged those wanting to share or seek support to do so here in this space. 
 
It was important with this thread that we maintained perspective and supported each other as best as we could, medical, scientific and public health experts around the world have and still are working hard to contain the virus and treat those affected. 
 
The Beyond Blue Support Service is available via phone 24/7 on 1300 22 4636 or via beyondblue.org.au/get-support for online chat. 
 
There are some other helpful discussions taking place here within our forum community that you may find helpful to read or participate in: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/staying-well/hi-there-i-only-just-joined-and... 

This thread is now closed for further posting. Users are still able to read through and find support through already existing posts.  

[Guest_1055]

Media is definitely a no goer for me. I only watched and listened to an update from channel 9 for about 1 minute.

And I started to feel troubled and fear. I started to soak up the media presenters own emotions.

Wish they can say some happy things.

Well I am not going to live in fear, not going to be motivated by fear, not going to be trapped in fears jaws, not going to consumed by fear and not going to be a slave to fear any longer.

Instead I am going to look up into the sky, focus on beauty and lovely things, smile at people. (if I happen to see any)

Those presenters don't smile. They are just spreading doom and gloom.

A cheerful heart is good medicine. Surely that is what everyone really needs. Myself included, as I am not feeling cheery at all.

I feel for me, I just have to take a vacation in my thoughts about this whole virus thing.

Distraction, think pleasant things, focus on whatever makes you smile. Notice the beauty.

I need look at little babies they can still smile and laugh at the simple things in life. They seem to have a simple trust that everything is going to be okay.

[Kewbear]

Struggling with anxiety for a while now but Coronavirus has tipped me over the edge. The last 12 months I’ve struggled since my Dad was diagnosed with motor neurone disease. My 77 year old mum is carer with my sister and myself trying to help. I work full time and live 100 kms away but I am there on most days off. I am married with no children. Dad is 100% dependant on us. He cannot walk or use his arms so relies on mum for feeding, toileting, hoisting into wheelchairs and bed etc. His mind and mental capacity is perfect which makes it very frustrating for him. His frustration means he is demanding of mum and they bicker and argue as they both struggle with his reliance on her. I work in the health field. I struggle not only with the grief of watching my Dad suffer/die but can also see it sucking the life out of my mum. I am trying to be strong for them and help but deep inside I am crumbling. I feel I can’t let this happen or let them know it’s happening as my sister and I are all they have. We don’t want to put Dad in a nursing home if we can help it. So, I decided to take 6 months leave from work to move in with them to help mum with the physicality of looking after Dad. This begins in 3 weeks. However, I am not sure how my mental health will cope with this and not being able to escape from the situation. Now add in the Coronavirus and I am falling apart. The fear of contracting it at work (essential health worker) is one thing. The fear of my mum and dad getting it (both would almost definitely succumb) another. I had planned on returning home to see my husband a couple of days every few weeks both to see him and as a sanity break. However, now I fear that this will expose me to the possibility of corona as I feel without me around reminding him he may not be as compliant with washing hands etc. Mind you I am obsessing about cleanliness to the point I disinfect things constantly. And now the straw that breaks the camels back. My husband is over me obsessing about everything and not coping with my anxiety. He acknowledges the problem I have with dad but thinks I overdramatise everything and make it into a bigger problem than it is. He can’t cope with me and my anxiety anymore and we are arguing. So now I have an added anxiety of my marriage suffering. I just don’t know what to do. I’m normally the strong one that people come to for help and advice but now I feel so out of control. I can’t sleep, cry all the time and don’t even like being around myself

[Guest_1643]

Wandering if anyone has this problem - I do not have laundry facilities in my apartment.
So now I have 2 problems, to go out and to use coins which is the way that laundry machines work>
I don't have any coins and would have to get change from somewhere.

My doctor said I should stay awy from shops, but I now need clean clothes and sheets very desperately 😞

[Kewbear]

Thanks Pepper, I just read your post and it’s what I am trying to do. Take things day by day. I might go outside, take a walk in the open air and try and find some beauty in life. It won’t take my problems away but I need to find ways to cope

[Itsme6]

Self Isolation

I hear people are struggling with self isolation. Yes it’s going to be tough for many and I worry about the mental health of our nation. I worry about the people who have lost their jobs. Who are feeling desperate.
Welcome to my world. This is how it has been for a large amount of my life. As a disabled person who parents a disabled person we are accustomed to isolation. The only difference is, we did not choose it. It was not due to a directive of our government. It was due to people’s fear of difference.
Since this started I have made an effort to reach out to people to check on them. I started a street pantry. I email and text funny memes to family and friends. Because I know too well how it feels. Being accustomed to isolation does not make things easier for me with the covid19 crisis. My anxiety is creeping up. I’m worried about my parents. I see people assaulting the elderly over toilet paper. This is nuts. We need to be supporting our most vulnerable not attacking them.
So I decided to write some words down in a circle. I’ve been learning about physically stepping into a circle that I visualize in moments of joy. It helps you create an anchor. Something to keep you grounded when facing difficult times.
Please use my words to help you create your own anchor.
Step into the circle
I wish you all well. Please stay at home. Read a book. Play some music. Write a journal. Bake something. Plant something. Write a letter to a loved one and post it. Sing out loud. Dance around. Start a tag you’re it with friends by sending funny or beautiful memes. And tell me if you can think of any other great activities.

[Guest_9043]

I just really need to vent right now. I feel like screaming. I'm being pushed way beyond my capacity to cope with this anymore. My anxiety is no issue, my depression is severe and it's getting worse each day. I do not watch nor read any news at all. For my sanity. It is like I have no choice but to see what's going on as no matter how much you just try minimise it, it's like a disease itself without the coronavirus.

I went shopping thus morning and for the first time ever since this happened we were told exactly what to do at the checkout and then remember for next time how to proceed as we made a mistake. For goodness sake, we are not used to this. Give us a damn break. I felt like we were cattle being herded not treated like people.

[Bellajade]

It's been really hard especially when I'm already quite isolated and dealing with external and personal stressors, being this completely isolated is creating a lot of panic for me and making it hard to keep on my uni tasks 😕

[Ellu]

My son taught me this mini-meditation : use it when you feel that awful wave of anxiety or stress starting to overwhelm you.First, think of three things you can see. Look at them carefully, their shapes and colours. Now think of three things you can hear. Listen to their different sounds. Now think of three things you can smell; savour each smell and lose yourself in it.

If you concentrate on this and focus your attention on your senses you will find that you suddenly feel less anxious/stressed. It sounds silly, but it works - I speak from personal experience.

[Matchy69]

The thing with living in a small country town is like the coronavirus dosnt exist.Kids are at playing the neighbours are still talking to each other like they allways do but then you go into the big town people walking around in mask and gloves,the shop shelves are empty,social distancing is taking place.It really hits you when i have to go into the big town.

[Con_nie]

I wanted to begin by saying how much I value and appreciate everyone's advice on this forum, it is nice to see that I'm not alone in my feelings.

The full scope of this virus has only just begun to hit me. I have lost 90% of my hours at work, and with not much annual leave I am likely to go on unpaid leave soon. I was in the midst of a mortgage application to build a house, which will have to be postponed until all of this has passed and work goes back to normal which has devastated me. Although I know it is for the best, the thought of going into lockdown absolutely terrifies me and I am filled with anxiety every time someone talks about it. My depression and OCD are getting worse and I am fighting to keep them at bay. It is exhausting. My parents keep telling me to stay positive, and that our relatively small city will be fine. Anyone else find this frustrating, when it seems like nobody is sharing in your fear? I feel ridiculous sharing these concerns with my partner, always being the person that has blown things off in the past. But this time feels different. Despite the fear around impending lockdown, in a way I am almost hoping for it, so that at least we will have an answer. The uncertainty around 'what's next' seems to be the worst part. How is everyone coping with the uncertainty, and learning to sit with that awful feeling?