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_1584]

I've felt a strange sick to the stomach pass through and over me 4 or 5 times today, with a sudden deep sadness each time and almost to tears. l hoped it wasn't a warning , l get those , and after the first 3 l was becoming pretty worried because l normally wouldn't get it 2 or 3 times in one day like that buttttt, on the forth l realized what it was about , and thankfully l'm only missing my daughter. She stayed over all wk and we haven't spent a wk together in 2 yrs she's had a lot going on so it was just beautiful having her here again like that . We always end up soooo just well , close when she's around long enough and l'm that damn grateful that it can still happen with us just naturally all on it's own like that . But of course with everything else going on our senses and emotions are heightened so much at times it's just effected me so strongly in that way today but thankfully l realized now that's all it was about.

So try to be gentle and good to yourselves right now because deep down we are in an ultra sensitive way atm and so it doesn't take much to tip the scales emotionally . l wish l had the line that should be next here - a way to feel better and get through the waves but sorry , l don't . l think in just knowing it though and realizing , remembering we aren't ourselves right now no matter how we might appear , does personally for me anyway , help a little,

[Lou-Lou28]

Hi all,

I'm doing better than I was a week ago. I had a Skype session with my counsellor on Thursday and she thinks I'm doing pretty well too and perhaps better than some people. I have accepted I am going to have my days where I just want to hide under the covers and that's okay. I am still at times feeling anxious and when I recognise this, to breath and relax.

Perhaps it helps that I have some motivation. Towards the end of last year, I began spiraling down. The stress of the fires didn't help and when I was struggling through this, I told myself this won't last forever; nothing does. Eventually the rains came and the fires extinguished and although there is still a lot left of the damage, you can see the green on the trees starting to come back. On the night of news years eve, I looked at the orange sky and thought of the phoenix rising from the ashes. That's what this year and this decade was to be about for me; renewal. I halted big time in this renewal when I hit rock bottom in late February. The stress of my job getting it to me, I had a meltdown at work and two days later was sitting on my kitchen floor crying my eyes out. I had nothing left to give.

Whilst covid-19 has been a rather big hurdle, I am trying to use my time when I'm not working to continue to work on my renewal because like most of us have written, we don't know what life will be at the end of this. Change for some us is inevitable and I know this can be a truly scary thing. I knew before I hit the bottom of the pit that change needed to happen but I was so scared of making the wrong choice, the wrong decision. Now I know making a decision is better than doing nothing or waiting for a saviour. I am my saviour.

Maybe I'm feeling a little more positive today because I haven't watched the news in two days and maybe because I'm feeling a sense of accomplishment that I am taking the time to work on myself. To use the tools my counsellor provides. To listen to podcasts that give me a helpful tip or an insight into myself that I hadn't realised. Taking time to write in my journal to write a million questions with little to no answers on why I do what I do and why I am the way that I am.

Covid-19 you may have halted me in pursuing some changes but you are giving me time to stop and take stock of myself and to stop running.

Take care everyone. Scream and yell and swear when you need to and appreciate any peace if it comes.

[PatienceBay]

Very helpful and enlightening Lou-Lou28, thank you.

[Guest_8790]

Hello cala

Thank you for your reply. I really appreciated it. i guess I expected a lot from a close friend or should I Say ex husband, but i know he is busy but thought he would at least say r u ok? He knows am on own with depression, panic attacks and a form of agoraphobia but nothing. I always do the first move and being stupid cant seem to let go. I am a bit weak in letting go so i am feeling this isolation harder than before. At least before could take a drive and not be around people but now its not allowed to do. Neighbours next door had been playing very loud music so had to go out. I have contacted police and council over noise so hope that gets resolved. I am not sure why having so many dreams of her but wish could be with her. At least she didnt have to face this pandemic.
Oh well stick talking to my cats.

Rusty

[quirkywords]

Lou-lou

hanks for your detailed and very helpful post.

here have been so many adverse events this year and end of last year and it can be hard to stay positive.

Being motivated is so important but it can be hard. I lost a lot in the bushfires and now live a .long way from my community. I can not meet people but I have been knitting, very simple, and that helps me to be calm and focused.

I think on some days things can get on top of one, but wit the help and support of Beyond Blue and friends we can learn from each other.

Thanks again

[Lou-Lou28]

Hi Rusty,

I understand what you are saying about feeling like you have to chase people even though they know of your issues. I feel the same sometimes. You just want to yell and say you know I'm alone or that I might be struggling so reach out to me, but I think sometimes how do they know if I don't tell them and one thing I have found with depression and did when I was first diagnosed 12 years ago is that I put on a facade. I do struggle to open up to people sometimes to say I'm really struggling here but you have to.

I totally get too, that when you desperately need peace to help quieten your mind, it's very irritating to have noise around you. I think that is one thing I'm trying with my meditation which I'm still a novice at is to acknowledge the noise but not to let it distract me. And to be honest, I have been playing my music a lot as it helps to make it not so quiet in the house but luckily my neighbours aren't always around. You are lucky you have your cats. I wish my beloved dog was still alive to hang with me during this time.

I'm not sure of the relationship you had with your mum, but I'd say if it was close one, perhaps you are dreaming a lot of her because you are looking for comfort and she was that comfort for you once.

Take care of yourself.

[Lou-Lou28]

Your welcome Quirkywords. Whilst I was lucky and didn't lose anything, I know it's left a lot people scarred and dislocated from their community. I'm glad knitting gives you some solace and peace.

It certainly has been a challenging time for us. A friend told me an Indian story of being in a rushing river. Those that cling to the shore get pulled apart but if you go with the current and try and keep your head above water, take note of those around you (like here in these forums) we will be alright.

I hope you get back to your community soon. I know how hard it is to be away from those beloved to us.

[Speak Your Truth]

Could someone please help me get some balance and perspective about coping with coronavirus?
I live alone, with my dog, and am really struggling with my thoughts and time hangs so heavily . I do have people I can talk with, though most of them are interstate. I have way too much time to think and I have so many questions about how the world, including Australia, is managing coronavirus. What is our future going to be ? are we going to have a future at all ? Why this ? What about that ?
I’m finding it really hard to get a routine going looking after my home. Apart from domestic chores I have things to do like read books, craft, garden, walk the dog etc but I can’t settle down to any of them much. Except simple crochet which gives me more thinking time.

I find it difficult to talk to people because either they or I don't seem to have anything else to talk about except the gloomy situation we are in, so it just adds to the problem for both of us.

[Blufftuff]

Hi Everyone,

I have been this some serious thought as there are many stories out there as to how and why this happened.

We need to ensure we are getting our information from a reliable source as this is most important.

Because some stories are misleading and they even have their own agenda.

I am not saying what is right or wrong.::::

[Lou-Lou28]

Hi Speak your truth,

I'm not sure I have all the answers to your questions either. I certainly did a lot of what ifs at the beginning and to be honest I don't know and I don't think a lot of people know. It's out of control mostly and I think that can be a hard thing to come to terms to but the future of our existence was unknown before Coronavirus too. I was worried more about Trump starting WW3 and then a killer virus. Once my counsellor told me I was allowed 15 minutes of worry a day and to control what I could control, I did begin to calm down. Simplify rather than catastrophise it did seem to help.

I totally understand not getting into the things when your mind is racing. I can jump from one thing to another, never really settling. I know certain calming music and meditation can work for me. I have been using the Insight Timer app a lot lately and I know they've had particular meditation in regards to our current circumstance if you have a smart phone. The app is free.

And you're right about everyone is talking about it. I had that during the fires. I get everyone needed to talk about it but it was becoming too much for me and I wanted to put my hands over my ears to block them out. I don't know if that's the answer either.

All in all I understand. I know that's not an answer but I hope it's something.