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.  

[quirkywords]

Roarke, Sophie M has answered your question.

This is a supportive forum.

Pain must be so hard to cope with and would not help the depression.

If you browse the threads you may find some they talk about physical pain and depression.

Thanks for helping another poster.

welcome Roarke , I will look out for your post if you decided to post again.

[Speak Your Truth]

Grandy thank you 🙏. Your reply warmed my heart, lovely words. I need that. 🤗😘

[CalmCat]

Hi All,

How did everyone go today?

The highlight of my day in isolation was my housemate buying some juggling ball to learn how to juggle off.

It is amazing how we are all getting together finding something to smile about in such altered times.

I was really struggling yesterday, however today is a different story.

Hope you are all smiling.

Regards,

Doz

[Speak Your Truth]

Hello Doz86 and everyone

I’m glad to hear you had some fun with your housemate juggling balls. I can imagine it was fun watching and you had a laugh.

I was struggling yesterday too, but although today wasn’t fun or exciting the weather was really good and I got out in the garden for a while and used up some of my excess energy.

I find it really does help me to feel better to get some practical things done. But I have little motivation and it takes so much effort for me to get started, but once I do it’s all good. Trouble is I seem to make more mess than I clean up so I never get ahead, even for a little while 🥴

I hope everyone is coping well. Bye, Cala

[invisible_girl]

Currently I'm feeling very targeted during this outbreak. Due to social distancing rules our work started moving people around and having people work one day on, one day off. Except me, they make me work full time in the office, so they shoved in a corner away from everyone else.
And I'm feeling quite isolated and upset because people are no longer working in shifts and they're all coming into the office every day, sitting at their normal desks, but here's me still in the corner alone and no one else is being forced to stay 1.5 meters + away.

I feel like they just want to get rid of me from every one else for no reason and I hate it.
Why would they do this to me and not care about anyone else? I'm not sick or been anywhere, I'm not more susceptible.
I feel angry and upset being treated this way.

[quirkywords]

Invisible girl,

welcome to the forum and yhanks for writing your post sharing your experience.

am sorry you have been treated this way. Everyone needs social distancing and no one should be made to feel they are being treated differently.

Can you talk to your boss and ask why you have been treated like this. Do you have a person there who you trust and can confide in.

know it can be hard to speak up but at this time we should be kind to each other while following guidelines.

Keep posting here if you like as I would like to know how you are going.

Welcome again.

[CalmCat]

Hi Everyone,

Today in my mental health first aid catch-up at work we spoke about the 'cyclone' effect and the comparisons it has with the virus, there is:

- The build up (preparation)

- The eye of the storm (duration)

- The aftermath

We're currently in the eye of the storm where there is a long period of calm and uncertainty.

I found this concept really helpful. Do you also see the virus stages, like the stages of a cyclone.

Regards,

Doran

[Summer Rose]

Hi Doran

I had never thought about the comparison between the virus and a cyclone until you shared your post. Thank you.

Thinking in this way is somewhat reassuring. It normalises what we are experiencing and reminds us all, as with all storms, this one shall pass to.

Kind thoughts to you

[Emmen]

Hello Doran,

This is a very apt comparison! I guess the aftermath will come with its own challenges, things will definitely have changed, but maybe we as a society will become kinder and more mature (I hope!).

- Emmen

[Moonstruck]

I feel my increasing sstress and problem coping with this, is different to most others I see writing here. e.g.. I have no real difficulties with isolation, staying home, boredom etc. nor am I afraid of catching the virus.

what is causing me immense distress (and getting worse) is the constant restrictions on our personal freedoms, the freedom of "choice".

I don't believe anything I was doing, or going, or walking, or sitting at..."pre Corona" was thoughtless, rude, or selfish anyway....so why the constant reminder that "life will never be the same, we will have to be "different" somehow." How exactly, do you want me to change?..

I thought I was a fairly nice considerate person already!

Our leaders say over and over again (especially my State Premier) that even though here in our state, we've seen enormous improvement in "flattening the curve" lessening cases etc, what we are doing has been working well, etc etc... we still "have a very long way to go, this is going to last for a long time yet, we are going to see another outbreak, do not relax!". Hearing and reading that every day is so demoralising and depressing.

To have our personal freedom, our "choices" taken away one by one, with no reassurance it will get easier has beaten me down at last.

I see my grand kids forbidden to go to school, to have face to face contact and rapport with their beloved teachers, socialisation skills with their friends and school communities.

I am told where I can go, where to stand, what to touch, where to walk, people fined huge amounts for sitting alone on a park bench, seats in shopping malls roped off so no one can take a rest, gotta keep walking!

I feel we are being treated like criminals, in what once was a "free" country.