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.  

[quirkywords]

Hello everyone,

Thanks so much for people being honest and using their experience to help others.

It is helpful to get feedback from support lines rustygirl and random because it willo show other that a phone call can help.

Rusty I am glad you had someone help you on a bad day, that is what the support lines are for.

Random I am pleased the mens line has helped you.

KB. thanks for helpful posts. I can relate to wanting to know where one is going and that is what I am finding hard after the fires changed my life and I have moved to a new place. I think that combined with the uncertainity of the covid-19 makes us worry.

Even if I am ok to take one day at a time people are always asking me my future plans. Now I don't trust plans as I know they change. So I try to stay in the moment .

[CalmCat]

Hey Rusty girl,

I really enjoed reading your post, its so great to reading about peoples avenues of help.

In saying this, I feel that this forum is oh so great in these uncertain times.

Keep smiling and have a great start to the week.

Regards, Doz

[RainbowBird]

This is such a great thread.

Things have been a little tough for me. I live by myself and don't have a lot of friends. Recently my pet cat passed away that I'd had for 18 years - I miss him terribly. He was such a big part of my life and now he is no longer here there is a huge hole left in my heart. Because I don't have that many friends I have mostly been a little isolated anyway, but now that I'm also working full-time from home its been a very lonely time. The only person I have seen 'in-person' is one of my family members who has come to visit me a few times since my pet passed, but I spend a lot of time on my own. I am also single, and the isolation has brought up so many issues as to why men don't like me - I'm not beautiful, I'm not the right body size, don't have the right personality, am getting older (I'm 38) and have no one to spend time with. I'd love to get married and have a special man in my life but just haven't been able to meet someone to date (pre-covid). I'm also at uni studying online and this has brought on its own special set of pressure's such as assessments at a time when its the last thing I feel like doing. I really struggle without a support system of people around me, but its hard when I feel like no one likes me despite my best efforts to be open, take an interest in others, or just aren't interested in adding to their friendship circle etc. Now with my pet not here, the loneliness is just so much worse. I've also had pressure to get a new pet, but I just don't think I'm ready just yet. This grief is so much worse than when my childhood dog died (before my cat), and so many people just don't seem to understand it doesn't just go away after a week or two.

Despite this, I am looking after myself as much as possible:

- Go for a walk / jog when I can, to get some sun

- Lots of veggies and fruit ( I'm veggie so no meat and very little dairy)

-Lots of water and herbal tea. Limiting alcohol to one glass a week max.

-Still eat a bit of what I like ie. chocolate. I really dislike 'diet culture' and used to have really bad disordered eating so try and keep it 80/20 with food

- Trying to read more books and watch 80's films

- Paint tend to my plants

- Trying to keep with my study goals by telling myself success will come if I stick with it

If anyone has any advice on pet loss, or isolation in general would be great to hear.

[quirkywords]

hello everyone thanks for making this a supportive thread.

Welcome RainbowBird, to this thread and the forum.

I am sorry for the loss of your cat. grief for a special pet does not have a useby date. Now in isolation you will feel your loss a lot.

I think now you have more time your mind will start going over why you feel you are alone. I hope you realise what a strong person you are .

Thanks for sharing your experiences with others and isolation is an issue we are all trying to cope with to some extent.

[SapereAude]

The Easter Bunny was able to obtain an Egg-xemption from the Chief Health Officer fortunately for Australians! 🙂

[ddogmillionaire]

Thanks for sharing your story Rusty. Your story is an example to others that it's rewarding and helpful to reach out for support when you have a bad day.

I hope you are feeling better.

Best wishes

[Guest_8790]

Coping

Thank you Doz

The call was hard to make but now am glad I did as it made the difference in what decisions i could make. I have started using apps and hope it works for me.

More importantly the great help and support from that call is hopefully the beginning of changing my life.

Just take one day at a time. Although alone in reality, I am not when reaching out for help. That is the hardest step to take.

Kind regaeds

Rusty

[Gambit87]

I had a psych session on sunday and we were talking about how I was feeling about my long service leave plans were messed up (I like to think of my holiday plans as simply being delayed) and the idea of having to stay at my job for a little while longer/until I find another job. I told her that I felt ok and in survival mode. I feel for the people who lost their job and I felt lucky to have a job. Until this passes I need to stick with it.

She said I hit the nail on the head. We're all in survival mode.

Its so hard - but its temporary. One day at a time, we'll get through this.

[Matchy69]

I just downloaded the covidsafe app.I did it as i am having a procedure done at the hospital and will be coming in contact with people.I can only see this app as a good thing but the people you come in contact with must have it for it to work.

[Kitaa213]

Hello to all.

Today has been a challenging day. I am currently home schooling 3 children aged 5, 4 and 2 and just feeling slightly defeated. My childrens behaviour has also worsened slightly as they to are feeling the effects of being cooped up and not able to see family. We walk daily, but this alone is still not suffice.

Being in isolation is taking me back to a time when my family had zero support and I had minimal to no contact with people other than my kids and hubby for weeks on end. I was lonely, depressed and suicidal then, my absolute lowest point in life to date.

I do hope life normalizes soon and restrictions ease, as I have been battling with making the 40min drive to see my mum for my mental health and honouring and obeying the laws of the land.

I love writing poetry-

This day I woke, I started my day like the last, mind and heart one in purpose, yet fatigue overthrew me. I woke again, with a sense in my soul, a burden in my throat, today cannot be like the last ❤