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_4593]

Hope i can take ur words, and sort this mess out .thank's

[Pandemica]

Thanks I was using fŕòñþùni

[Pandemica]

Y y a b by

[Guest_1643]

Hi pandemics, how are u keeping?

I thought of u as I read about some confidential phone line for zupport for medical professionals.

Still sounds fraught, though,

Weird feeling, but I don't want to take off my mail

Hate change, and am used to it now.

[Guest_1643]

These times have tested my friendships

I had a few acquaintances who I drifted from during the pandemic

I think it was judt too much effort

It's hard when u live far, and in Melbourne we had the 5k and curfew rules, and although that's past, over that time I developed patterns, selective places I'd go, and faraway friends became more and more not in my life

I wander how covid impacts our families, friendships and relationships

I wander if it made us closer to some ppll and more distant to orhers

My former work friend, never spoke to.

My friends from hospital and psych ward, no contact

And yet my neighbours, and ppl in my 5k radiance, became closer friends.

[BunnyRabbit]

Hi Sleepy21

I can relate to change in social interaction behaviour. I used to be quite sociable pre-COVID I often had my neighbours come over for a meal and chat or I would be spending time with my family, especially my elderly mother but that all stopped when COVID hit. Initially it was because I worked in a hospital so I didn't want to get anyone sick, but then even after I stopped working at the hospital, that behaviour continued.

I used to see the neighbours out and about each afternoon in the garden and we would have a yarn but now I hardly see them and likewise for me because I just stay indoors.

I miss spending time with family and friends, especially my elderly mother whom I'm very close to but because my husband goes to work in a busy office everyday, I'm too afraid to go visit mum in case I pass COVID to her.

I haven't seen my mother or family, except my husband since Christmas and then Omicron came.

My poor niece who I used to spend so much time with is in Customer Service and I had to pay for an Air B&B since Omicron hit because all our family members are vulnerable except her and she was so anxious about getting any of our family members sick, she couldn't live at home with her mum, or grandmother or my place. I'm not sure what we will do next month, case numbers are still high, but paying for Air B&B month by month is very expensive.

It really saddens me when I think about life before COVID. I can only pray medicine gets better to protect the vulnerable people in our society so that vulnerable people can live without fear and anxiety too.

The best I can do is use my phone to call my mum and talk to her more. Its not the same as physical touch, like cooking together, sharing a meal together, hugging and holding her hand, but something is better than nothing.

Praying we will be able to find a way out and reconnect with love ones and a happier lifestyle without fear and anxiety.

[golden82]

Hello everyone;

This thread has been pretty quiet for a while and these challenging times by covid responses n rules continue. I feel perhaps we are all (not just us bb ppl, but most in Oz) just so exhausted and depleted by it for 2yrs. As has been talked about for so long - this new normal Well i think it has been abused by ppl putting in place things where u can't have f2f with dr or psych or specialist. I know it is worse in some other places, but here Adel for 4 months cannot attend f2f only over screen. It is crap. Absolute crap. Even with all doing right thing and signing in, sanitizing, wearing mask, distancing. Still not afforded to see your team f2f. What about mh and other conditions besides covid. And it is not a true needed thing because some ppl are still practising as f2f, with all the precautions obviously. But they are valuing the importance of seeing their patients. Eg of differences are dentists, physios, psychs etc etc. Well i have had enough of 4 months of subpar care. Mh is worst ever and largely because of this. My team were the only ppl i would see in my life. 4 months of no talking to f2f. And over difficult xmas nye time too. With no end in sight. They are just continuing this way and milking it for all they can. My mh needs and deserves better. My physical health too. So i will no longer support those who will not see me f2f. I am worth more than that. We all are. We all deserve to be seen if we wish for that. & not all these inconsistencies and hiding behind it blaming it on covid when it is just how they are wanting to work now. I will see ppl who want to work with me f2f. It has mucked so much up; as you say Sleeps for our friendships too. I hope to stay strong in standing up for my rights. I hope everyone stays strong too.

[Guest_1643]

Hi Golden and everyone

I hope u find some ppl who will see u face to face

I find it hard to understand how ppl take medications etc without face to face consult...it's worth pushing for I think.

I see f2f and it means so much to me.

I think human connection is breaking apart and it's causing so much pain.

[golden82]

Thanks Sleepy. There are some out there who will do f2f; but it just means starting all over again. It is hardest for psych, I've built a rship over last couple yrs and been vulnerable opening up; especially hard with trust issues and been let down in past.. only to have it taken from me because she wants to do telehealth only now. Telehealth makes my mh worse. Have told her this and doesn't care. So what a waste and of my trust and investment to get better. It doesn't make sense a psych would do this. But it goes to show, it never was about getting me better but her pay cheque. And so proving i can't trust ppl will only be let down.

Really glad u have f2f Sleepy. I get that it would mean a lot to you for sure. For me it is about so much more than just attending the apt. It can make my day better, more hope, treat self better etc it snowballs in a good way 🙂

Yes, society is broken down and we seem to go from bad to worse. I cannot watch any news at the moment. There is so much more than just covid. Being shut out of f2f services means ppl rely more on their family unit. When we don't have that family, or that apt contact life is unbelievably hard. Everybody needs to have someone care about them.  Life these last 2yrs has been cruel. 

[BunnyRabbit]

Hi Golden

Its certainly been a tough couple of years. I'm sorry your psychologist is only doing telehealth. My gp is also only doing telehealth too and it is really difficult at times to show her what's wrong with me.

I think many medical practitioners in general are doing telehealth at the moment. My mother's appointment with the cardiologist was rescheduled as a telehealth consultation too.

I can only imagine how difficult it is to fully open up to your psychologist if you're not comfortable with telehealth. Especially if the psychologist is a major support person for your mental wellbeing.

I do hope you will find a solution soon.