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.  

[Doog]

Hi MeKitty

Thank You for your kind and helpful post reply as I was mentally preparing for what was my covid doomsday holiday.

I'm still ashamed I struggled to choose between my fear of covid death and my beloved family.

I love Christmas songs and I found it heartwarming you would go to the trouble to search my favourites. Not many would bother to care. I'm still computer savvy so ensured I had a list ready to go, when the old days of Christmas CD's had expired hahaha.

Joyful music is healing to the soul. Thank You for reminding me what was so fun about singing Christmas songs to get into the spirit.

[aussiewmn66]

hello i am new here , just tonight depression increased, need to talk to some one that understands

[blondguy]

Hello aussiewmn66!

Welcome to the Beyond Blue forums and thankyou for having the courage to post too]

There are many kind people that can be here for you...How can we help?

Im Paul...a volunteer on the forums

[Doog]

Hi SD0102

I completely understand your stress. Sounds like you also are used to the excitement of menu planning and decorating, and then here we are frozen in covid fear.

I don't host anymore since separation, my eldest daughter has the task now with her husband, but that just escalated my anxiety as they are socially connected people.

23 at your table sounds like so much fun and laughter, and an incredible menu planner!!!

I know how you feel and I hope you ended up just letting the Christmas spirit dictate you like it did me as well as the positive posts on here that inspire us to soldier on.

I envy you for still being able to host! I had to stop hosting after separation, but my daughter allows me to make my nominated dishes to feel important and relevant.

I so hope you got to cook your heart out and finally have a laugh at the Christmas cracker hat jokes!

I'm back home now in my rural town thinking of you.

Heartfelt Thank You for your kind reply

[mmMekitty]

Hello Doog,

There's no shame about it. The decisions we are all having to make are very difficult & so frought with emotion, while we we are all trying to assimilate all the new information, all the ongoing changes, some very confusing stuff at that...I feel like I'm in some sort of Twilight Zone episode since being in hospital for two days, & coming out I find I'm struggling to catch up & get my head around what's been happening. I keep thinking, it's just been two days!

I'm so glad yu found some of your old Xmas spirit.

I used to have an old fellow live upstairs, & he'd put on his Xmas music, or just sing solo, some old hymns around Xmas. You will be pleased to hear, I never complained about that - as much as noises bother me, I never had a problem with his Xmas music & singing. Indeed, I think I've missd that this last Xmas.

There's lots of music on YouTube. Just search a few words describingwhat sort of music you want, & you will be surprised. 😺 I know I am. Even with what audiobooks I have found.

Being home so much, I have the time, so I'll be finding whatever is most pleasing, relaxing, joyful, too, happy fun stuff,, & I'm also going to look for soundscape recordings - wildlife, birds, whales & dolphins maybe, just to kind of take me out of my little flat.

All the best,

mmMekitty

[mmMekitty]

Hello Aussiewmn66,

Welcome to the forum. Since you have posted in this thread about coping with the Coronavirus, may I ask if your feeling of depression are related to COVID-19, the restrictions, the changes & Omicron? When you feel ready, please tell us more about what's going on for you.

Kind regards,

mmMekitty

[Complex_Little_Pirate]

I think COVID anxiety and constant fear is gradually killing me. Reaching out to express my feelings.

After years of coping with panic disorder more or less successfully (using many strategies including online support group) despite several severe surges in the last two years, the stress around the pandemic now seems to be destroying me. For the last few months I've felt worse and worse, with very disturbed sleep, sometimes just a few hours a night. A lot of the time I simply feel really bad. I use my large suite of strategies to cope and move through each day. There was a lot of stress in the few weeks before Christmas/NY and doctor asked me to focus on rest over the two week break. There was a little improvement but the last week is worse again.

After sleeping well the previous night (having worked with breathing meditations and gentle music to calm myself), last night I slept for a short while only to wake around 1 feeling ghastly with heat and tightness in my chest and later a feeling of being clammy all over. It felt different from everything before (although I have a book length history of weird horrible feelings) and I had a strong thought that it was the first onset of COVID. I used objective fact-finding strategies (using pulse oximeter and reason to note that my oxygen was perfect, pulse fast which could be caused by anxiety, and I had none of the listed symptoms, only this vague awful chest feeling), and then tried to use my usual strategies to calm and settle myself - it usually takes an hour or three - but it didn't/couldn't happen - I kept waking again on the verge of sleep with a novel symptom added to the mix (involuntary hand jerks to mirror actions in a dream).

Suffice it to say, it was an awful night with no further sleep and many fearful thoughts which I tried to control. At seven I got up and used my last precious RAT, which was negative. Since then have tried to recover: washed the dishes, had a cup of tea, walked at the beach, home for oatmeal and then curled up on the couch with a cat and a stuffed weighted toy (I have ALL the panic disorder paraphernalia). Got about an hour's sleep, with some dreams.

Then woke at noon, still feeling vile. Just sat there exhausted, thinking, how can I go on like this? Decided two things (1) signing up for the next support group meeting (2) post my experience somewhere so I can just tell SOMEONE. And now I've done it. And I do feel somewhat more calm now. Still very tired, but better than before.

[Moonstruck]

Hi there..you sound similar to me. I posted on here recently..just scroll back a bit to find me.

I cannot bear it any longer either. Feel we've been pushed mentally emotionally beyond our endurance. I am fairly strong intelligent and capable person.

I am not any more. CoVid..our leaders, doctors, media, other people's extreme reactions have beaten me down. I can't take any more. This is not living.

[Guest_1643]

Hi moonstruck I agree with what u said and this time is dire.

The healthcare system is in shambles ATM....drs are scared to work or see patients face to face, fair enough and I understand but it is so hard on the system...

Everyone tells me if I was in mh crises to avoid the ed and not go stay inpatient now....it's a rough thing to say....the very places that are meant to help those who are ,do vulnerable, can't function now. Mental health help is suffering a lot

[Guest_1055]

Recent ways I have been coping...

And it has helped me.

Stay away from all news, telegram, updates, heavily limit discussion on everything to do with Covid. Even if its only for a week. Just take your thoughts and emotions on a restful holiday. Maybe even better if you are able to physical go.

I was reading article after article in these groups I am in on telegram. I like to be informed and do research. But it got so bad, I was experiencing an increase in fear. Emotions were becoming overwhelming.

Just my theory and my experience.... Lots of panic, anxiety, confusion etc causes inside stress on the body.

I say do whatever you can that helps yourself find peace, rest, quietness, beauty and a gentle calmess.

Soak in a bath of epsom salts

Listen to calming music

Watch cats doing funny stuff on ytube or in real life

Deep breathing

Diffuse 100 %lavender oils

Consider taking magnesium (it can calm some people down)

Walks near the ocean, trees,

Get of sugar and caffeine. (I have been now 6 days without sugar, and feel calmer then before)

Hug your pet dog

Swim in the ocean

Watch the sunrise

Attempt it for a day, if 1 week seems to much .

Just my attempts to help myself....Except I don't actually have a dog to hug.

And I too experienced "just so sick of this whole thing"

So had to find my own way, as I could not and don't want to live the "just so sick of this thing" way of living

Peace out