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.  

[BunnyRabbit]

Hi Fiatlux

That's pretty lucky you can work alone in office. I wish it was the case for me but we have an open plan type office with around 100 staff members on the floor. Nobody wears mask and people are still shaking hands, not social distancing, filling up meeting rooms.

I'm not usually agoraphobic, but since COVID I just can't help feeling fear and anxiety. I wish I could live carefree like the others in the office but I've likened it to having a fear of snakes and being asked to work with a snake sitting a metre away from you. It's just not going to happen.

But this is a really tough social dilemma, even I don't want to live homebound all the time, I miss my pre-COVID life so much. I want to try and think about how do I re-train my mindset to not be anxious about COVID. I used to read every article about COVID in the news but now I'm just so sick of it, it's the same thing everyday. I wish there was some good news.

At least the number of cases have dropped compared to January. I'm not sure what is to become of the vulnerable people in the future. One can only hope we have a path to survive too.

Stay safe and well

[Fiatlux]

Hi BunnyRabbit,

I understand your anxiety completely.

I am got Covid in January. It was Australia Day and I was alone and really scared. I have never been so sick. I am still feeling fatigued most days.

I am at work again today. It’s peaceful and I am being more productive.

I worked on a University campus for 7 years and I absolutely loved it. Loved the students especially. I felt at home there. I don’t think I could ever do that again.

We have a long weekend coming up and I will be going out to the countryside for a couple of days. Of course I will have someone else driving and holding my hand at all times.

I find being out in a Country town far less stressful. I would move out there in a heartbeat and understand those who had the finances to do so.

I have also been out to open air farmer’s markets on weekends. It’s a start back to my normal, pre covid life.

Have a great day 🙏🏼

[BunnyRabbit]

Hi Fiatlux

Thank goodness you recovered from COVID, I'm so sorry you are still feeling the long COVID aftermath though ☹️ I hope you start feeling 100% soon!

May I ask, did you leave your job of 7 years at the University because of COVID? I would be devastated if I had to leave my job because of COVID, my last workplace were putting so much pressure on me to work physically in the office. (I work in IT sector where my job could be wholly performed remotely) So I was very frustrated why they were forcing me to risk my life, just so they can physically see me at my desk. It made me so stressed and anxious, I had nightmares and panic attacks, so bad my GP ordered immediate stress leave. I ended up taking over 60 (work) days of my sick leave and recreational leave (in a matter of 12 months) because my employer was so nasty about it. Fortunately, I have found a more humane organisation to work for and are not pressuring me to work in office.

It would be a dream to live out in the country and open air away from fear and anxiety. I'd bring my whole extended family to live with me too if I could afford it! The majority of my family are all vulnerable to COVID, joys of genetic medical conditions ☹️ but unfortunately I haven't won the lotto yet so still stuck in the daily grind ☹️

After getting COVID do you feel less anxious knowing what to expect and that you survived it? For me I think the anxiety stems from not knowing how my body will react. We humans are very good at expecting the worst case scenarios.

I'm finding that people who have survived COVID are more willing to move on to the new normal. I really want to do that too, be able to go to markets or walk on the beach, read a book in the library and browse the aisles of a grocery store but I'm so scared that I won't be able to fight the infection and survive. It just pains me that I'm stuck in this constant fear and anxiety that I won't make it through if I get COVID.

Really happy for you that you can start finding the new normal. Stay safe and enjoy the fresh air! ☺️

[blondguy]

Hi Fiatlux....(and a wave to BunnyRabbit)

just a note to thank you for your heartfelt/moving post

hoping you feel better and recover soon 🙂

Im Paul..a volunteer on the forums

[blondguy]

Hello Fiatlux and a wave to BunnyRabbit

thankyou for speaking from the heart in regard to covid...you have helped many people by doing so

I hope you have a wonderful weekend in the country!

my kindest

Paul

[Fiatlux]

Hi BunnyRabbit,

I am unsure if I am allowed to mention that I am double vaccinated. But I am sure that it helped.

Again my symptoms were awful for me. I have never even had influenza previously. Everyone I know who had contracted covid, has recovered well.

Regarding walks on the beach, I have done this too, when the weather is cooler. I hate the heat and burn too easily. I have managed to find a few local beaches that I like and even an hour outside, walking in the sand and water has gone me good. Surprisingly the beaches weren’t as crowded as I had feared. We even went for a meal afterwards at a local cafe.

I don’t know where you are located but I search the Internet for weekend farmers markets near me. I am looking forward to going to a farmers market this Sunday. It’s located in a small country town and is only run once a month. I always find something unique in the brick a brack section.

Outdoor music festivals were also a favourite. I am looking forward to a time when these things are going on without fear of covid cancellation.

I just find the more I venture out, the better I get and the easier it gets.

🙏🏼

[Fiatlux]

May I ask, did you leave your job of 7 years at the University because of COVID?

No. as much as I enjoyed it, it was stressful and I was flat out busy most days. I thrived on it then. I just found that I was burned out and needed to slow down. That and some terrible management changes helped me to move on.

[blondguy]

Hello Fiatlux

Thankyou for mentioning that you are double vaccinated and yes its okay if you mention it as there is no judgement on the forums

I just had my 'booster' a couple of weeks ago....Thankyou again for sharing your experience with Covid..You have helped more people than you know

I hope you have a really good weekend!

Paul

[BunnyRabbit]

Hi Everyone

Hope you are all well. I'm struggling with anxiety because I really don't know the way forward. I'm really not sure what I can do but I'm thankful for forums like this where I can verbalise what I'm feeling.  Because I'm in the vulnerable cohort I can't seem to shake the anxiety that comes with the risks of getting COVID. I really want to be involved with society but the fear and anxiety just won't let me. I know there will be a point where I'm just going to have to accept the risks, even today, I have a house inspection and I'm so anxious because I know the my real estate agent probably won't wear masks and I'm not really an assertive person, to ask people to wear a mask. Same as work, eventually I will have to go back to office where no one is wearing a mask. There's just so much anxiety for me because of the uncertainties COVID, changing policies, etc... I know there isn't an answer but thank you for having this forum so I can verbalise.

Wish you all a safe and happy weekend ☺️

[Mrs_Anxiety]

Hi, I’m new to this and I felt so much anxiety trying to think of a user name 🤣 hence my user name.
I’m struggling mentally at the moment. My 10yo got covid last Sunday, then my 7yo and I got it Saturday morning, hubby still negative. Coming into second week of iso and I’ve got so much anxiety with work and bills. I’ve tried to apply for the covid payment to help cover my bills and mortgage. I don’t have enough sick leave to cover these things and it stresses me out so much and sinks me into depression. I have money set aside for our kitchen renovation that is booked for end of April so wondering if they’ll say no as I have access to money, but then I won’t have enough for my Reno. I hate feeling so worried about money all the time. And then my work situation. I do everything at work and I’m constantly overwhelmed by my bosses actions and opinions on things. He hates me having 1 day off for my sick kids every now and then. I can’t even remember the last time I had a day off just for me to do anything I wanted. Geese I didn’t think I’d ranted so much but I find this easier than ringing and asking for help or advice.