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_4593]

Never been good with mental stability but seems like the world is going to crap, every turn is death, plague, floods, fires. Can't make a move without checking...mask, phone, vacations records. All just seems like .. life was simple when i didn't care about having a shower or eating, sleeping.
(I'm 3 vaccines in right.... nothing else matters). Life is just so much more harder now. Then when i was simply depressed and suicidal now its all about WHEN and not IF

[Sophie_M]

Hi Guest_4593,
 
Thank you for reaching out to us tonight. We’re sorry to hear that your mental stability is struggling at the moment and that you are finding life so much harder.

We would recommend talking this through with someone. Feel free to contact our friendly counsellors on our Support Service anytime on 1300 22 4636 or get in touch with us on Webchat 3pm-12am AEST here: www.beyondblue.org.au/getsupport.

Our friends at Lifeline (13 11 14) or the Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467) are also available 24/7 if you do require additional support to help you through suicidal thoughts.

We here in the community are here for you.

[Croix]

Dear Guest_4593~

Maybe I can relate a little. I was in a demanding job (police not hospital) and I felt more and more the world was hemming me in. Regulations at work, family responsibilities, suffering (at that stage) depression and anxiety.

Depression took over my thoughts, without my realizing it. I found that I was focusing on a tiny part of the world, where I had no movement, all rules, all problems, no solutions and all mainly because of my defects. While I never went down the self-harm path I became suicidal. The world held no options and was chock full of people that relied on me, or had expectations.

No solution. I attempted to take my life more than once, though fortunately things did not go as planned. I did ring a crisis line at one stage and ended up feeling sorry for the person who was really trying every method laid down (at that time that is, it was a long time ago) and getting nowhere with me.

It took a long time and a complete life change for me to eventually see how narrow my world had became - rather more than just a surprise.

I am pretty certain it was opening up to somone I trusted was the first step, and from then on luck in the shape of sensible doctors, meds, therapy and time.

I know you cannot talk to your mother, or probably any other member of your family, and you - like I did- wear the "I'm OK" mask. Saves hassles, but is bad for the wearer, after all if you have to hide your true self not only is that exhausting, but it seems to mean you are in some way unworthy and have to hide.

All rubbish of course

So do you have a workmate, friend or anyone else you can simply tell how you feel. No explanations, just the facts. No expectation they can do anything except use their ears and make you fell somone in the world does care. Tell them that at the start, it will stop them from trying to "fix" with silly suggestions and just be there.

Croix

[Guest_1643]

It's pretty stressful at the moment, it's like one little thing can make the balance out, we grt used to a new normal, and then the ground is taken out from us again,

In terms of coping,

My gp is central to me keeping afloat

So is Lifeline, tbh, I use helplines and have found some good services

I hate myself sometimes for calling so often, for not being well on my own, which I know some ppl have written they also feel at times

I think we are worth it and need to advocate really hard, hard than ever, to get help in today's uncertain world

My gps receptionist when j came to book appointments was counselling me when I was so upset he was booked out...

They all are, so she said, uncertain times,

It's so true, but I'm judt learning to lean in to it, which helps me.

Like these are new times, no doubt about it, so I have to myself find new coping techniques

For me it's volunteering

Trying new classes

Journalling and writing as much as I can

Reconnecting to friends and trying to organise walks or shopping trips together

Saying yes to new things

Going to different coffee shops

Going to places I haven't been before

Being assertive in asking my care team for what I want and need, and seeing how that feels.

[BunnyRabbit]

I'm sorry you're feeling unwell Guest_4593. Know that there is help out there if you are willing to take that leap of faith to trust in another person. I am not suicidal but quite the opposite. My anxiety and depression is triggered because I want so much to live. I love my family, I want to contribute to society but because I have several co-morbidies to COVID, this pandemic has instilled a fear that I have not been able to overcome. I've likened it to having a phobia of snakes and COVID being the snakes, chances are I could get very sick or die from it. I'm so scared to leave the house because I don't want to get sick or die. I'm literally under voluntary house arrest since early 2020 because I'm too afraid to leave the home.

My anxiety and depression was further exasperated when my employer was forcing me to come into the office. They made me feel like I was inadequate, they belittled and bullied me. I went from a star employee to having no career prospects after refusing to work in the office. I was a complete wreck because I had to choose between risking my life to keep my job or go into financial difficulties if I resigned.

To work from home I needed a doctor to complete a ridiculous agreement refuting my employers decision that it was safe to work in the office. The wording was very biased and misleading

That was when I broke down and I first spoke to someone about my mental wellbeing. I was immediately put on stress leave because the doctor recognised I was in no state to work. We made a commitment to schedule some follow up consultations. At first it was very hard for me to accept that I had a mental illness and ask for help. I had always been a high achiever, someone that is calm, logical and adept at dealing with high pressure situations.

Since speaking to my doctor, I felt a huge rock has been shifted off my shoulders. I've just started seeing a psychologist. I know I've got a long way yet to get better, but my point is, there is help out there if you're willing to allow someone to hear your story, allow someone to help you. I would suggest seeking professional help, a doctor, a social worker, a psychologist, the moderator has some helpful links for you to try, trust in these health professionals, they are trained to help you. If you find one doesn't suit you, try another one it's best to find a practitioner that you feel comfortable with. Don't give up! There's so much to live for! Praying that COVID would get lost!

[Croix]

Dear Sleepy~

I'd not envy that receptionist, it must be a common occurrence, and I"m sorry one of your mainstays is hard to reach.

That being said I'm most impressed wiht that list of coping mechanisms, I'm sure they have a positive effect and if you get down at times, I''d be pretty certain they would happen less often due to them.

There are good helplines out there and they make a huge difference. They are there for all, and your use of them shows wisdom

Croix

[Croix]

Dear BunnyRabbit~

Thank you for supporting Sleepy21, it shows a kind nature.

I'm in much the same physical shape as you, with one pulmonary and one other issue that means in effect I'd have less chance of pulling though a bout of Covid than a healthy person.

Of course this has lead to voluntary isolation, though not to your extent. I go out for necessities and leave it at that.

I can well imagine that an absolute ban on going out for such a long time may well have affected your mental health and I'm very glad you have taken sensible steps and are finding some relief. Hopefully the medical professionals do 'click' with you and you do not have to follow your advice and look to another.

As far as a medical certificate is concerned, I'm not sure any employer can go against the opinion of a medical practitioner simply because a form was not filled in. Simple travel to and from work is an aspect with which no employer can offer any guarantees of safety, and once in the workplace accidents do happen even in the best designed of places.

May I ask if your doctor is cooperative about this?

Croix

[BunnyRabbit]

Dear Croix

I have to admit it has been very hard trying to live with COVID, more so trying not to die from COVID would probably describe it better.

Initially (before vaccines) my doctor was sympathetic and wrote a supporting letter for me to work from home but that was reviewed every three months by my employer. (Miraculously my employer thinks serious chronic diseases go away in three months, if only that were true), but that was the rules so I had to get my doctor to write a supporting letter every three months and get her to refute this ridiculous agreement that bleats on about the workplace being safe. Such as hand sanitizers are provided and we sit (approximately) 1.5m away from each other. Notwithstanding that once seated, you do not need to wear a mask, so I guess my employer didn't read the memo about COVID being airbourne.

After I got my two jabs, I felt a little more confident to go out and with case numbers low in Brisbane, my doctor did not support working from home full time. So I had to go back to the office for a few months which I had good and bad days because eventhough the case numbers were low, you're still playing Russian Roulette with your life just to put a roof over your head. I had to catch a bus to work and there was no such thing as social distancing, we were all crammed in elbow to elbow with each other.

After Christmas that was when the (bleep) hit the fan with Omicron. Come boxing day I came down with severe chest pain, shortness of breath, diahorea, dry cough, nausea and went straight to hospital. I was thrown straight into the COVID ward and hooked with wires, cables, etc. I thought to myself well I tried my best and it's just my fate but low and behold it was just a stomach virus. PCR test came back negative. My chest pain was stabilised and I was sent home eventhough I was feeling very sick from the stomach virus because they needed the bed for COVID patient backlog.

For six weeks I battled this horrid stomach virus because my immune system is so poor, it was a struggle. I had my hospital bag packed several times because the dehydration and fatigue was causing so many other problems. When I called the doctors, they were all so flustered because I had to pick the peak of Omicron to get sick. I was desperate to get help but even doctors were telling me to stay away from hospitals at that time because I would probably end up with COVID. Thankfully things finally took a turn for better mid Feb and feeling better.

[Guest_1643]

Thanks Croix,

How are you finding these times?

Re booked out drs, there was a segment on abc news last night about the osychiatrist shortage. There was a 21 year old guy sharing how hard it was to get in anywhere with osychs booked out.

Ur right the receptionists but also have to tell ppl all the time....sorry, we can't help you....

I was speaking to my Dr about how when I wanted a psych they were all telling me their books are closed

I reckon I'd advise ppl, regardless, to persist, call every week,,or try and get Ur Dr to convince them to accept u

It's so scary and completive out there currently

On the abc segment trainee psychs said they want to get out ther and help but there's a lot of difficulties for the, right now to get qualified,

Sad state of affairs.

[Guest_1643]

I did that....book as advance as possible...it's the only way