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.  

[Summer Rose]

Hi Dools

You are amazing. Love reading what you’re up to and how you’re coping. More power to you!

Kind thoughts to you

[Charmed]

Hey, I'm new here.

Week 5 of lockdown here in Sydney.

I got jabbed yesterday, I have "friends" bullying me saying I need to wake up. I spent an hour at the clinic yesterday because I was having a panic attack and they didn't want to let me go like that...

Then 3 hours after I returned to work, we where all stood down. Without pay. Because we're just outside of the lockdown areas. I've never not had a job.

I've been single for almost a year (was in an abuse relationship) I momentarily keep panicking that my ex is going to yell at me because I lost my job. Because that's what he was like. I keep forgetting he's very much gone.

I'm lonely. My dad lives in Forster. I'm all alone here. I want my dad

[Sophie_M]

Hi Charmed,

Welcome to the forums and thank you for sharing your story with us here. It takes a lot of courage to reach out for support, you also never know who will read this post and feel less alone in their own experiences. We are sorry to hear about your friends, your job and your previous relationship. We understand that all of this must be so overwhelming for you. Please know that you never have to go through this alone, and support is always here for you.

If you would like to talk to someone we would recommend that you get in contact with the Beyond Blue Support Service. They are available 24/7 by phone on 1300 22 4636 or on Webchat 1pm-12am AEST on our website: www.beyondblue.org.au/getsupport  One of our friendly counsellors will be able to talk through these feelings with you and can offer support, advice and referrals.

We also strongly urge that in overwhelming moments you get in touch with our friends at Lifeline (13 11 14) or the Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467).

Please feel free to keep reaching out here on your thread whenever you feel up to it

[Hanna3]

Dools you're amazing. Well done doing all that when you were feeling a bit blah.

I'm about to watch a French movie on SBS.

I'm still ignoring the housework!!!! 😊😷

[Guest_1643]

hi all,

hard not knowing what way the lockdwon will turn here in victoria, so much uncertainty and frustration. I find being in lockdown really challenging, especally over the weekends, everything is so quiet and boring.
My mind wanders into some darker spaces.

I relate to what ppl are writing about feeling distrustful of the government, and the added stress of ongoing lockdowns

[Doolhof]

Hi Charmed,

I'm really sorry to read of the situation you have found yourself in. Sophie has suggested you call the support services. The people there will be able to help you work this out and maybe offer some suggestions of what will help.

Can you call your Dad?

Would it help if you told yourself none of this is your fault! Life is happening in the strangest of ways for some people right now.

Please know this is a safe and caring place for you to share how you are feeling if you want to and need to. I hope you feel welcome here, acknowledged and supported.

It is only normal to feel distressed in your situation. Call the support lines and hopefully people can offer suggestions on where to from here.

Sending you kind thoughts and hope you find solutions. Regards from Dools

[Doolhof]

Hi Summer Rose, Hanna and all,

To be honest, yesterday I had to work hard to hold it together. I accepted I was struggling. I wanted to move on. I'm trying to look for the positives, for thankfulness and what I can be grateful for.

I am quarantining here in the house for my good and for the health of those whom I may be in contact with if I was able to leave the home. I am not infectious nor is my husband. This is precautionary.

One of my issues is the struggle I have on any given day to stay inside. People have struggles with going outside, I struggle with the feeling of being shut and trapped inside!

Thankfully I can go outside and walk around in the garden. I can open the curtains and look outside. I can wander about in the rain, wind and cold conditions, at least I am outside and feel free for a moment.

I also know I have to push myself. For ages now I have been so stuck, knowing there are things I can do to help myself but have huge issues in moving forward.

It would be so easy to fall back into that now. I am going to be easy on myself today. Try some little craft projects and appreciate what I achieve.

I'm trying to use this as an opportunity to enhance more resilience, acceptance and to tell myself I can do this, and if I can't, that is okay as well. If I struggle and have a melt down, that is okay. I can pick myself up again and try once more.

Wishing you all strength to encounter another day with curiosity. Cheers from Dools

[Pcode3]

Even though we're still in lockdown here in Melbourne, I'm not kidding myself to know that the situation in Sydney is more serious than down here. Even though some politicians outside of NSW are playing the "we told you so" card, I just want everyone in Sydney to know that you didn't do anything to deserve the situation up there, all my friends, family and colleagues are right behind you, because we've been there before. I've felt pretty helpless as I've watched the numbers grow, and haven't really known how to support my Sydney family, friends and colleagues, so I put myself right out of my comfort zone and hosted a work trivia night by Zoom on Friday for my 300 colleagues, more than half of whom are in Sydney. I'm organising zoom dinner parties for this week, bring together different friends in Sydney, many of whom don't know each other. I'm not posting Melbourne-centric posts on social media, I'm texting, calling, facetiming with friends, not just single friends, even if just to talk total sh*t. Although we're not out of the woods yet, I'd like to ask Sydneysiders on here who are struggling what YOU would like from us to help support you. Just know that so many of us are going into bat for you down here. Big virtual hugs...

[Elly42]

Hi there

im new here. I hope I’m posting in the right spot. I’m really struggling in Melbourne’s latest lockdown. I know we are in a better place then we could be. But after last year - I’m really struggling with more isolation. I’m single and live alone. I don’t have much family and - I’ve realized now - I really don’t have many other close relationships either. Ive never felt my failure to connect with others more deeply. I feel like a failure myself. I’ve got work. It I struggle to do it. I don’t have much interest in anything. I’ve had quite serious periods of depression and anxiety in my life before. But I was going okay mostly before covid. It’s partly because of these illnesses I’ve had trouble making and keeping relationships. It’s hard for me sometimes to socialize and be a good reliable friend to others. I just feel like there’s something terribly wrong with me. And I don’t know how to fix it. I take medication exercise eat well and don’t drink. Life just always feels so uphill. And while I definitely have things to be grateful for. Lately all I can see is my aloneness. Any tips or help to manage this difficult time would be appreciated. I hope others are managing okay. And if I can help you I’d be happy too. Take care all. xx

[Pcode3]

I'm so sorry to hear that you're feeling how you are. Firstly, it's ok not to be ok... None of us have experienced anything like we have these last 18 months, so you are not alone here... You are amongst people who are right behind you here to validate how you're feeling... Please stay in touch with this group, scream when you want and need to... we're right behind you... big virtual hugs!