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]

Welcome Phil, to this thread and forum. Well done for making your first post and telling us what is happening in your life.

It must be hard caring for your mother under isolation. I am glad you have people helping you.

What helps you to cope during isolation.

Feel free to post here as much as you like.

[Gambit87]

Hey everyone!

I feeling like ive been handling this social distancing/quarantine fairly ok. I still get out and about where I can to exercise and the sneaky takeaway dinner and I talk to friends and family.

my main problem is working from home! I know its only temporary. I kinda miss working with my team so I feel kinda isolated? Since working from home I havent been sleeping my best and for the lest week ive had the same dream - being locked in a cage/bunker trying to find a way out.

I'm definitely appreciating the freedoms we had before covid and i'll be way more appreciative and thankful post covid.

[blondguy]

Hi Gambit.....I hear you loud and clear..its hard to do....

Hi Phill_C...Saying hello to you (and your elderly mum) in Queensland from Victoria!

Hi Quirky...you are a legend for all the TLC you are providing to so many new members....Paul

[quirkywords]

Gambit,

It is interesting how some people like working from home and others like you miss their colleagues.

Ithink we never truly appreciate something until we no longer have it. Maybe we will be grateful post covid for a week or two but maybe we will go back to taking things for granted.

[Guest_1584]

Oddly for me it's opposite . l've worked from home 30yrs so l'm use to it but were l live now my streets are mostly empty through the day apart from a few. But now they're all home and both streets have cars out front right along and people coming and going so l sort of feel like l have some company for once.through the day. And people building an 11 ac horse property cross the road finally just moved in too so they're out through the day messing round with their horses now too or finishing more on the house. So strangely it'll work reverse for me when things are back to normal l'm gonna miss everyone about now.

[SmileySocks]

I was struggling during the bushfires which caused me more panic and distress than this virus. All I wanted then was some normalcy and yet here we are. I don't like this new normal.

My life hasn't really changed that much but I did a lot of work with my psych last year just to get me out of the house and walk around the block by myself. I worked on being more social, occasionally saying yes to social invites with friends and possibly feeling a bit more comfortable doing so.

I'm fine with staying home but I feel like all that work I did is going to come undone since we need to stay home and distance ourselves. I already don't want to go anywhere at all.

I work in a hospital so I'm still going to work and although my hours have been reduced as I'm not mentally well enough to work many hours, I'm struggling to work at all. It feels like there's no end in sight to this virus and I'm just tired of it all.

I'm not too worried about getting covid-19 myself, we have our temp checked before each shift and asked questions about symptoms but I do worry about giving it to vulnerable family and friends. Especially my parents whom I live with, my Dad has underlying conditions.

I'm not coping with day to day life atm, well if I have a few days off it's not too bad but I don't feel like I can work in my current job anymore. If I could work from home somehow I think that would help.

I have debilitating social anxiety and I have been working so hard on myself to try and get some sort of a life, a little bit of independence and feel ok about it. All this social distancing and only leaving the house for essential reasons is driving me back into my shell. I try not to watch the news but I can't seem to escape mention of this virus and I'm tired of hearing about it.

I feel like the whole world is just so stuck right now. Can I go into hibernation until this is over?! I'm struggling so much atm and I just feel so unwell (mentally) I can't seem to figure out any way to help myself get through these uncertain times with my sanity intact other than staying in bed and blocking out the world.

It's good we can help each other through this and we all understand because we're all affected by this in some way. The horrible thing apart from the virus is that because everyone in the world is going through this, there's no escape. There's no pocket of fresh air so to speak to get away from it and take a break.

Sorry this post is so long, I don't expect anyone to read it all.

[OskarS7]

Hi all,

I have been following this thread for a few days now and it has brought myself a sense of calm that I am not alone. I just want you all to know that if you are like myself and you begin to read the news and you get anxious and begin to spiral, there is a way out.

I want you to know, that Australia is a paradise, safety locked away and dealing with the virus that only our neighbours, New Zealand can measure against. We are a small nation, we have few people unlike the US and China and we are leading the fight. The fight isnt a measure of violence or action, it is measured in inaction by everyone around you. We are calm, Australia is calm, we will continue on as a loving community that supports you, just know that while you might feel threatened by this hidden thing, you are in a paradise that is lending you safety in its small size and compassion. As I have been told over again; Australia views this virus as an inconvenience because it isnt widespread in our communities, it isnt devastating our lives, it is abroad where the lessons are being taught and Australia is simply taking notes and learning while safe in a paradise of its own. So if your like me and you have been struggling to sleep, know you are safe, you are in Australia and we are in a paradise.

Happy ANZAC day.

[blondguy]

Hi SmileySocks

Thankyou for mentioning 'I'm fine with staying home but I feel like all that work I did is going to come undone since we need to stay home and distance ourselves. I already don't want to go anywhere at all' I also have this awful social anxiety and I hear you loud and clear about the progress we have made going out the window

No apologies necessary at all SmileySocks....You have mentioned an excellent point about 'leaving the house' through counselling and now we cant. I really hope you can write your own thread topic (its easy..I promise) on this as its an important one that needs discussion...I am in hibernation too with my social anxiety

you are not alone SmileySocks....Take care...Paul

[blondguy]

Hi OskarS7!

Welcome to the forums and thankyou for your wonderful post 🙂 Actually a very warm and caring post...I hope you have some peaceful sleep soon OskarS7...If you wish to start your own thread you are always welcome

my kind thoughts...Paul

[Granger]

Hi everyone, I tried to be positive with the locked down situation. I exercise, do gardening, play music, try to keep myself busy...

I think weeks of isolation has gotten to me. Lately I have not been sleeping well and have this heavyweight feeling on my chest the moment I wake up. How do I overcome this feeling? Is there something I can take?

Appreciate any feedback.