Coping during the Coronavirus outbreak

Sophie_M · ‎13-03-2020

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.

Sophie_M · ‎13-03-2022

Dear Mrs Anxiety

Thank you very much for joining our communiity here in the forums, and for sharing such an honest post. We can hear how hard coping is at the moment; the ongoing dilemma's of COVID have been so unkind and exhausting. We acknowledge your bravery in this, but also care very much that you and your family are ok.

We understand that, just right now, reaching out to services by phone or web is really challenging, Mental energy can be so hard to summon in these times. But we would like to recommend reaching out to your local Financial Counsellor - you can find the closest service on the National Website - https://www.financialcounsellingaustralia.org.au/
These will be able to help out with looking at financial support payments or looking at getting some bills out of your way or better managed.

We would very much like to see if any of our other referrals might help, and to check if you are ok: please do consider giving us a call at 1300 22 4636 if you can work yourself up to it.

In the meantime, I am sure many of your peers, or our community champions will jump to your cause as soon as they can. Thank you again, sincerely for your post and for Joining our community.
Regards,

Sophie M

Sophie_M · ‎13-03-2022

Dear Mrs Anxiety

Thank you very much for joining our communiity here in the forums, and for sharing such an honest post. We can hear how hard coping is at the moment; the ongoing dilemma's of COVID have been so unkind and exhausting. We acknowledge your bravery in this, but also care very much that you and your family are ok.

We understand that, just right now, reaching out to services by phone or web is really challenging, Mental energy can be so hard to summon in these times. But we would like to recommend reaching out to your local Financial Counsellor - you can find the closest service on the National Website - https://www.financialcounsellingaustralia.org.au/
These will be able to help out with looking at financial support payments or looking at getting some bills out of your way or better managed.

We would very much like to see if any of our other referrals might help, and to check if you are ok: please do consider giving us a call at 1300 22 4636 if you can work yourself up to it.

In the meantime, I am sure many of your peers, or our community champions will jump to your cause as soon as they can. Thank you again, sincerely for your post and for joining our community.
Regards,

Sophie M

Blue_flower0 · ‎14-03-2022

I just tested positive to covid yesterday. I have gone through stressing, crying and worrying about who I have contact with. I have been angry at myself for getting covid and not being more aware. Did anyone feel the same way?

I find the psychological side is SO much worse then the physical side. Physically I am ok mentally I am frustrated, worried and upset.

BunnyRabbit · ‎14-03-2022

Hi Mrs Anxiety

I'm sorry you're feeling unwell. I suffer from anxiety too so I know how easy it is to let yourself spiral down that rabbit hole.

I know it's hard, but try to recognise when you're feeling anxious and look for that 'happy place' to try calm yourself down, be it your children, your husband, your hobbies. Don't forget to reach out to family and friends for support.

I truly hope you can get that COVID support payment to help ease your worries. I used to worry about what my employer thinks and worked myself to the bone just to maintain my employer's satisfaction. At the end of the day, I was burnt out and ended up leaving, I had a nice farewell morning tea, some small token gifts and a card saying I will be missed. After leaving I realised whilst it is important to be professional and hardworking, it should not be at the cost of your health, or those of your family. If you need to take carer's leave to care for a loved one, you shouldn't have to feel guilty about that and it's your employer's problem to manage the business, they need to account for sick days, that's what they're there for. Plus, everyone knows the situation about COVID, nobody wants to get it and it's not your fault if you do.

btw this forum is great for venting ☺️ I've found everyone is very kind and patient. People often share stories or send well wishes that often cheer me up after a bad day.

Hope you're feeling better soon!

BunnyRabbit · ‎14-03-2022

Hi Blue_Flower0

You are so right about the mental struggles being so tough. I haven't got COVID yet, but I get so anxious about 'What if I get COVID?' I'm vulnerable to COVID so I worry if I'll get very sick, I'm worried if I will not be able to work again, worry about plunging into financial hardship, will my husband have to quit his job to look after me if I get very sick and not recover. I can't help thinking of the worst case scenarios. Some days I just cry too because I feel too helpless, and it's just been dragging on for years now with us knowing COVID is not going anywhere in the near future either. Since COVID I've developed agoraphobic tendencies, I'm to scared to be near people in fear I might catch COVID or pass COVID on to someone.

I find most of my anxiety stems from the unknown, I have no idea how my body will react if I get COVID.

Now that you have COVID are you feeling less anxiety knowing you are physically ok? It would be nice to know how people are coping after getting COVID.

Hope you get better soon!

mmMekitty · ‎14-03-2022

Hello Blue_flower,

Welcome, & thank you for your post. It's so unfortunate you have caught COVID-19.

I'm thinking, you did everything you knew to do to protect yourself, & minimise th chance of catching COVID-19, That's all anyone can expect & hope for. I don't think there is anyone who could have stayed home, alone for the last two years -you have to go out sometime. For you to have caught COVID-19 means someone else was infected, & you've happened to be near for long enough, too. & that may be all there is to it.

No blame or shame. So, please, being angry at yourself is not so good for you. I wonder, if this was your best friend we we are talking about, what would you say to them?

How are you going to spend your time while isolating?

What are thing you can do to help yourself relax & not be so stressed?

One thing you can do is to come here to chat & vent. You'll get some ideas about what others do when trying to cope with stressful times in their lives. So, you are welcome to take a look around into other places on this website, read threads, & post as you feel.

All the best,

mmMekitty

Fiatlux · ‎15-03-2022

I hate myself for saying this, but I was frustrated with the person I believe that I caught Covid from. This person was the only person that I had spent any time with and I know that he was blasé about catching it. He even misled the testing clinic and didn’t mention that he had symptoms. Again exposing others. I was isolated and very cautious. So I was furious that when our positive results came in, this person still went about his daily business and left isolation and possibly exposed others.

I understand your anxiety as we cannot control others actions.

CMF · ‎15-03-2022

Hi BunnyRabbit and all reading

I had Covid earlier this year. Did feel great but not as bad as expected. Achey muscles & joints,fever on & off for a few days, tired. I had a bit of a cough for a couple of weeks after it.

Hope this helps.

Cmf

BunnyRabbit · ‎15-03-2022

Thank you CMF!

I'm trying my best to get myself out of this COVID anxiety so I can try to re-learn how to go about life pre-COVID. I need to learn how to make it to my front gate to pick up my mail without feeling as if I will get COVID.

Hearing positive stories from people helps. The more I hear about good news (I don't mean you getting COVID as good news, I'm really sorry you got it, but that you recovered is good news). I know I have co-morbidies and I won't be blase about protecting myself but I need to build up enough courage to at least do the basic essentials of life, go to work, get my groceries, visit family, etc...

So thank you for sharing your story so that others like myself can find some comfort.

Much love and stay safe!

ChookDad · ‎16-03-2022

Hi All, I feel uncomfortable discussing this with anyone even close friends. My mum died from covid 2 weeks ago. She did all the right things since pandemic began only to be let down by the system in aged care . The constant messaging about getting on with life is really distressing for me. I am afraid to speak to even my doctor or a professional about this as they have all moved on but I can not process this grief inside me