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.  

[K__B_]

Hi There,

This is my first post on this site! If I put to one side the part of me that is easily hurt, the one who is reminded by other losses..because after being trapped inside the house for three months with bushfire smoke...Corona virus was soon after on the doorstep and who would think it possible? At first, all CV brought triggered every diagnosed PTSD I had got through...and there was the dark place again...so I turned off the TV because I was terribly OVERWHELMED by it all. I upped physical exercise outdoors, I dusted off my headphones, and bought a hammock.

I keep in mind how brave everyone is and how truly amazing. Because we are actually part of significant world history. I told myself, I am a survivor...added up the personal times I had been a survior... the worst floods in Hanoi, a cholera outbreak, a super typoon, four months in India during the time of money crisis when the ATM machines failed, on top of total loss of home, job, and no money at times. I am sure both the good and the bad times add up to making us human. I now have to believe, like the great plagues centuries ago before we were born into the world, that we get to discover a part of us not known before.If don't think of trying to keep a perfect bubble in life...and I tell myself to look at this situation as some kind of opportunity...even to practise ways of surivial or staying sane in lockdown...as the weeks go by, I get it..the choices I have to make to find things within the current event, must be far away from the reality of simply drowning myself in the TV and heavier thoughts. Part of me wants to scream and wants this over...part of me wants to blame and yet, there is part of me, that wants to see it all through and come out the other side...it is another HUGE comfort, not to feel alone in a crisis...yes, I am isolated from my usual life..but have discovered such fantastic and helpful threads and a whole community here...you have made my day perfect today. Momentous. THANK YOU for making the effort to share and post.

[K__B_]

Hu,

In the wide world, yes, there will be, for me, for you, for everyone...BUT because you have chosen a forum that is the opposite, right here and right now, there are big hearts to share feelings and empathy. In that way, you never need feel alone...when you are here.

[K__B_]

I know what you mean. I MISS family so much. My biggest heartache in all of this.

I found that the facetime and social media was lovely in the moment, but after the contact, it had a somewhat surprising effect. I think it made me miss family and friends even more, and my world/day revolved around that connection, or series of connections. Followed by deep sadness.

I decided that you can have too much of a good thing. For me, social media created a trigger. Left me with an even deeper sadness for the loss of everyday normality. And especially things like physical hugs.

I decided to take what I can get as far as contact goes...I accepted that it was not going to be the same, for a while. And with that acceptance, I stopped fighting against what I could not have, what I could not control, what was just awful with CV in the world...and my rational self accepted the fact, hey, something IS better than nothing. That family are in my world, healthy, I can see them and talk to them, I am O.K, the curve is flattening..really anything positive, I could think of. Family are in my world but are not my whole world.

My practical solution that has helped was this. Everytime I hang up the family call, I do something in my world...just for me..as the quote goes " Drink the wine and let the World be the world."- for a moment anyway.

[CalmCat]

As soon as I logged off at 5pm today, I hopped on my bike and went for a bike ride around the bay.

Best thing I've done after work so far under lockdown, it was such an amazing release.

So if your able to, hop on your bike after a days work inside, you wont regret it.

[PatienceBay]

That story about the river makes me want to cry. Not with sadness as much as recognition of truth. Thanks for sharing.

[PatienceBay]

Thanks KB

Your words have given me strength!

[quirkywords]

K.B.

Welcome to the forum and thanks for your wonderful post. I like think we are all survivors.My previous way of ;life was destroyed in bushfires so now I am starting again and learning to adjust to the virus and all that means.

I have discovered anger is no use to me apart from acknowledging my feelings.

I am glad you are part of the forums and feel free to join in this and many other threads.

Life has thrown a lot at you and you are still going looking for the positive and having compassion to others.

[Lou-Lou28]

You're very welcome Cala. I'm glad I could help a little bit.

Take care x

[Lou-Lou28]

You're very welcome. It was something I had been told when I really needed it. What I said was the abbreviated version but if you google "We're the ones we've been waiting for", you'll see the full story.

[Phill_C]

we went into voluntary self isolation back on about the 1st of March knowing that we were going to be in for the Long Haul we live in Queensland Australia me full time carer for my Elderly Mother and my sister and her 2 boys so we get our groceries delivered our fruit and vegetables delivered our chemist delivers the doctor does home visits when needed take away is needed so it is very rare that we have to or need to head out of the house we use Skype for video chatting to family members other than that we are shut ins so as you can imagine things are starting too slow down here but we are staying in shutdown mode for at least the next 2 or more months or until we get the all clear so unless it is an emergency we are at home and have been for 2 months now if it goes beyond a year i think the whole way we live will change just wanted too say hello and let everyone know what we are doing