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.  

[mmMekitty]

Hello DaisyChane,

Welcome to the forum. I'm sad you have been infected, & have to be in quarantine, stressing out about the rest of your family. You've been so very unfortunate, & I think I'd be angry too.

Can you tell us about more about how you are feeling? What are you doing to cope with all the worry & anger? You used the term 'melt down' which sounds pretty bad, but probably not helpful. What other ways could you express your feelings?

We'll be here listening, when you want to talk more.

In the meantime, here are some❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️to go on with.

mmMekitty

[Guest_1643]

Hi all,

Thanks for the clarity re masks, and to ppl sharing their empathy and understanding.

I and many ppl need safe spaces to vent and be heard and not judged or talked down to. It's hard.

I wander if ppl around me can conceptualise the mh toll of covid on some of us. I am so agoraphobic and affected by changing rules and lockdowns. And now this time of year is triggering me further. I know ppl will always say just stay home, as if I don't.

I've barely left my house for more than 30 minutes for 2 years.

It's taken such a toll and I'm so lonely and isolated.

[Guest_1643]

I'm thinking it's okay to not wear masks in cafe.... thanks mekitty.

I have it with me and end up wearing it even on street outdoors because I can't keep up and just feel less stressed with it.

I wear it to medical appointments and then it's pretty strict, but otherwise I,moot sure how severe the rules are currently .

I don't like my appearance, so for me, added bonus?

It will be hard to adjust to normal life. I'm barely surviving now. I can't remember most of the last two years, I think my mind has blocked it out. I wander for the trauma and fears that have been triggered during these times. I wander how loneliness feels worse, during thismtime.

[mmMekitty]

I think it is very difficult for people who are not living with mental health difficulties, to comprehend it's not as simple for telling us, "it's easy, a simple thing to put o a mas; it's the least [we] can do." Or, how unhealthy to say "just stay home".

I've been staying home a lot, too, because of not being able o to put on & keep on a mask. This in itself has caused my anxiety levels to rise & some symptoms of social phobia to return. Many people don't guess, it might be 'triggering' & damaging, to either stay home or put on a mask. I doubt anyone has a very good idea of how many people have seen their own mental health deteriorate , some for the first time.

We know services are stretched, people are waiting long times to see someone, anyone, begging, I hear in some posts here.

...must go snooze.

mmMekitty

[Guest_1643]

Thanks mekitty....hope u get good rest and recovery. Ur points were very empathetic...

I'm sorry that the mask rules mean u stay home. I can relate, I feel pretty agoraphobic and find it hard to leave the house.

i know masks are hard for lots of ppl. Staying home brings so much pain and stress for

[Freakedout]

Just joined.

Two years on Im more scared then ever before. There is so much out there to consider. Never seems to be definitive news that helps alleviate the fear and anxiety. How are others coping? I know that sleeping properly or relaxing has become really hard. We are trying to do all the safe things but we are only in control of our own actions and we cant stop others from doing what they do.

Just wondering if anyone feels the same?

[Matchy69]

Hi Freaked out and welcome to the forums .You are not alone in your feelings and many of us feel the same with the virus.I am feeling more scared and depressed then I did at the start.Even with a vaccine it's only partly protecting us and we can still get it and still spread it and get sick from it.The vaccine might help with us not getting so sick with it.I am feeling very much like a prisoner very scared to go out especially with the spreading of the new strain.

I hope you can find some comfort in this thread to know you are not alone.

Take care,

Mark.

[mmMekitty]

Hello Freaked out, & welcome,

You certainly are not alone

From the start, I have tried to keep up with the info knowledgeable people have given us, & first I thought, as the pollies were learning & adapting to the new info coming in, I thought what was being asked was mostly reasonable. Now, however, their responses to Omicron seems to make little sense to me. So, I am going to continue to follow the directives which were recommended for the COVID-19 we have been dealing with, fairly well, compared to many countries.

Since it is still a respiratory illness, passed to others via the fine droplets of moisture in our breath, wearing masks, (wish I could), staying at least 1.5 metres from each other as possible, socialising outdoors as well, when the weather is nice, getting the vaccines - all 3 doses at this stage, when you can, are the best things we can do to help bring the numbers of people infected down.

There are still some people getting seriously ill. Most are not fully vaccinated, many will also have other conditions making them more susceptible to serious illness than others.

I'm a high risk person, so, 'Careful' has become my middle name.

& yippie,, I got my third/booster dose today. 😺

& yet, I'll check for updates to the list of places where infected people have been, more often again, for the next 2 weeks, even while only going out as strictly necessary, & again when I leave hospital. even though then I will still be staying home, recovering. I'll be thinking of people I know, who visit my plave, & where else they may have been, & when...I know I'm going a little overboard & need to rein my anxiety in some.

I'm looking after my basic needs. & trying to 'do Xmas' in my own way. I found some very quiet, & slow guitar solo Xmas music today. It's like a very long lullaby. It's ben soothing me today. It won't be enough by itself. but it sure feel like it is reaching deep into my body where most of my tension is. 😸 I would like to go to sleep to it tonight, too.

& there is another with piano, jazz style, but otherwise very similar. I forgot to make a 'Favourite' of it before going to my GP's. I think I can find it again.

They are both on YouTube, & after the first ad, so far thare have been no other ads, which helps immensely. If here were many ads interrupting the music, that would defeat the purpose of listening entirely.

I hope you find our support helpful to you ,Freakedout.

mmMekitty

[Freakedout]

Thank you for your response.

Yes its hard enough dealing with the daily situation. Its harder not feeling the powers that be are helping us anymore. What makes it even harder is Im trying whatever I can to be safe but its also causing drama at home with my partner angry with me for being too anxious and "over reacting" to the situation.

Hard to know where to from here.

[mmMekitty]

Hi Freakedout,

Do you understand your partner's Point of view? Are you two talking - not arguing - about what you'll do as a couple, given your differences of opinion about how much to adhere to those things, like mask wearing, going into crowded environments, wat places you really need to visit & what places you don't?

In the event of disagreement, what are you willing to do? Do you compromise your own sense of protecting yourself to keep your partner happy? What is your partner willing to do to help you feel more at ease?

mmMekitty