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_1584]

Hiya em and sorry to hear how rough things are for you atm, dam eh. l would've thought it'd be lighter at home but it's a lot worse hey , damn. But yeah it baffles me how some of the other countries seem to find ways of living with 1000s yet we're still locking down for a few 100 , or even 1 or 2. But anyway , you have enough to worry about there by the sounds of it eh. l hope you can find some peace somewhere amongst the crazy for some break hey. Take care.

Hi Elizabeth, thanks for explaining the UK situation , it's all pretty mind blowing isn't it.

Take care people

rx

[CMF]

I know we need to be vaccinated but it's giving me anxiety. Had an apple with Dr yesterday and was going to get it but I backed out. I have chest pain thinking about it. Also my partner went and got it out of the blue, so down the track he'll have freedom and I won't. I want to get it when I'm mentally ready, not cos I'm forced or have to, to keep our relationship going.

I'm so sad and anxious about what it's come to, how it's affecting everything. Even relationships.

Cmf x

[Amma]

Lockdown 6

5 of us locked in the house. Pajamas all day, talking to the walls and we don’t know what day it is. It could be a bad reality TV show except we didn’t choose this. Even the daily case numbers are reinforcing the Ground-hog dayness of it all - 11, 11, 20, 20…. If it’s 20 or 11 again tomorrow I’ll certainly lose my mind.

All I hear from the TV all day is jab, jab, jab, covid, covid, lockdown, vaccination, vaccination, vaccination….on repeat, repeat, repeat...alllllllll day long. I’m about to throw the TV outside and jump on it!!

I try not to watch but I’m drawn to it like a hypnotic 11am ritual. I watch because I need to know what’s going on, like maybe there’s good news except things are just getting worse. Pollies and bureaucrats get up and repeat the same messages every day over and over and around and around it goes. Endlessly. Enough to send anyone around the twist. This is what life in Covid Melbourne & Sydney has been reduced to.

Im so afraid that Melbourne is going to end up like Sydney and we’re going to be stuck in this for months. Just like last year.

Melbourne, the once very alive and vibrant city now merely a sad ghost of its former self.

I put on a brave face for my family but secretly I worry. Too much.

Tomorrow I’m not watching. Im going to direct my attention elsewhere. I think this will help.

[ecomama]

Welcome to the forums Amma. You're not alone in your thinking right now, probably ever tbh lol.

I think we're in week 7 of lock down.

Today my son's school phoned and told me HOW to supervise him doing his HSC Trials beginning next Friday.
He's on a different schedule to my other sons doing theirs too.
I wonder if I have to sign multiple Stat Decs? One for each of them... time will tell.

Fortunately / unfortunately also, I have to take leave from work to help my eldest daughter through surgery soon.
Not exactly sure how I'll supervise all my sons AND help care for my daughter who is also a single mum.

All of my family inside my home and living in their homes are still working.
I'll be glad to have a "breather" if I can call it that .... spinning too many plates and hoping none will crash and fall.

I'm grateful that my kids "all work together like a well oiled machine" as I say to them. They are very collaborative and cooperative, helping each other with their high level studies, just doing what needs to be done AND working at their workplaces.

There are clear divides in my work place showing sharply now.
Today my Counsellor told me about a valuable podcast for during this time. Esther Perelle (spelling?). I haven't investigated it yet but will do at some point.

Apparently her research during lock down discovered the absence of JOY.
Wow, really? lol.
Furthermore, the absence of joy from creativity. Okay.

My creativity is going "WILD" lol creating a veritable Chook Palace for my chickens.
I'm very excited about doing this for them AND me. It's going to be fun.
May seem purile to some but hey whatever keeps us going right?

What creative thing is anyone else doing atm?

Love EM

[Guest_1584]

The chook palace , perfect em. l hope you can get some time out there and take your mind of things.

Hi Amma. l've Vic also although regional these days , thank God l think too maybe. Yeah l agree and l think all these pollies are loving being up on their little platform everyday these days too .

l'm hoping though we've got on it all early enough although can't say as l felt too encouraged seeing those 20s .

At lest you've al got company at your place. Kinda hard to say isn't it which is worse really isn;t it, a house full of people or being locked up alone.

Hang in there eh. Hoping for improvement next wk myself , hopefully l;m not dreaming.

rx

[Guest_1643]

hi everyone, EM i have heard of Esther Perel, maybe in regards to relationships therapy? She's well regarded, I think, must look into her- sounds great

a bit confusing in Melbourne atm, the cases have continued and its a little hard to know when we'll be outta lockdown. Some ppl cope with it better than others, i guess but i'm not one of the good copers with this uncertainty. not so encouraging to see the cases are staying over 20 most days.

Gotta try and make the most of lockdown i guess as i dont really knwo when it will end here in melbs.

I'm' reading a great book and making pictures most days. I hope to start putting them around my home.

[Elizabeth CP]

CMF, I'm sorry you backed out of your vac due to anxiety. Do you have a therapist you could talk to about your fears. Having a neutral trusted person who can listen to you without judging or pressuring you. This way you can discuss the issues or perhaps confusing messaging you.ve recieved. Once you've done this if you decide you want the vaccine you can then have the councillor assist you come up with a plan to achieve this with whatever support you need. I hope you can get the help you need to make the best decision for you.

[Needleina]

Not sure if this is where I should be posting but I just have to let things out. I’ve been hiding from Covid since it started- I stay home ( accept probably too much, even when things were lighter near the end of last year). I live with my husband and have a son who has his own family with 2 little daughter. I am extremely nervous about having a vaccine. I don’t go to doctors. Can’t remember when I last did. Now my son (35) wants to get a AZ vaccine because Pfizer will take too long to wait for. I’m terrified for him. We live where there are hardly any cases and he is really healthy. He does work in retail and I think is scared of catching the virus. His wife had Pfizer ( she is pregnant) and now is supporting my son to have the AZ cause Pfizer isn’t an option at his age yet. I can’t sleep. I’m projecting to the blood clots he will get- I always think worse case scenario- I’m the one who answers a ph with ‘What’s wrong?”but this is real fear. I can find medical data to support my thoughts - but as one with severe anxiety I can find always find support for my beliefs on the net. My husband ( vaccinated with AZ and had regular yearly health checks 🤷‍♀️) shrugs my thoughts and anxiety off with ‘Just think positive’- if it only were that easy. I know my fears are real for this vax and I don’t know how I can get through the next 3 weeks to my son’s appt and then the waiting for the next ‘up to 42 days after vax) for clots. Since I found out this news 2 days ago I haven’t slept. I know I have to respect his thoughts but Tyne fear is engulfing me . Thanks for listening.

[CMF]

Hi neèdleina,

I completely understand. I'm feeling the same.

cmf x

[Guest_1643]

completely understand Neeleina how difficult and stressful these choices are. You must be so tired and going through so much with poor sleep. Have you heard of the concept of bucket tipping, or having a "full cup"? Sometimes when everything gets too much our brains just make it feel like we are overflowing. (They say ppl who have PTSD, their buckets are already 3/4 full to start with!) ... at this point we need to do self care to "tip" our cup/bucket a little out, so we hvae room to breathe. Rotating thoughts in our head on repeat are exhausting. Try find something nice to do for yourself, to remind yourself that yuo are okay and ur thoughts are okay.

I understand your fears xx