1st time self isolator feeling very isolated

[Ilsie]

Hi. I was experiencing a moderate level of depression and anxiety prior to making the decision to take a holiday with my eldest daughter that I hoped would be very good for my mental health. The current situation resulted in us cutting our holiday short and making a mad scramble back to Australia. Unfortunately this meant that we have ended up in 'self isolation'. However, my daughter and I live 3 hours apart and I am really struggling with being isolated at home. I have wonderful neighbours, a beautiful partner that does not live with me and good friends. However, I have found that the past 5 days being confined to my home without being able to work or so much as walk around the block, very challenging. I have felt a very high level of depression and anxiety. This is coupled with guilt and anger because apparently the sun is shining and the birds are singing and I 'shouldn't feel this way.' Ah, if only it were that simple. I suspect that there must be others that live alone, or even with a partner, who find themselves in this situation and I thought this might be a good place to hear their stories and share my own. Depression can be such a lonely beast at the best of times. Thank you for letting me join your forum. Ilsie

[Curleee]

Welcome Ilsie
Thanks for sharing. I hear you. I am personally not that affected by the virus, but lots of my friends and family have kids and some older family members, so they need to stay in..... so I am not quarantined, but i have been getting a bit cabin feverish with everyone else being quiet. Have u thought about making a plan? I.e. almost like making a timetable for yourself? Maybe reading, drawing/colouring in, then solitude, then a movie, then do some leg stretches etc.... i find even a little structure, helps me keep balanced
What resources do you have around you? Do u have a garden that u can walk up and down? Could you download a mindfulness app? Maybe some leg exercises on your bed? Just some thoughts, not sure if they help?
Be kind to yourself....

[dustymaree]

Hi Ilsie, i find myself in a similar situation and was beginning to feel even more isolated by not being able to find a post from someone in a similar situation, so thank you for sharing on the forum.

I see that you posted over 10 days ago so you may be out of isolation now. I hope you managed to find methods of keeping well during your isolation. I'm currently only on day 3 and it has already been a roller coaster of emotions. As i have a history of depression/anxiety, I tried to make sure i was prepared to distract, distract, distract and be proactive and productive with my isolation. But things don't always go to plan. I'm fortunate i have family making contact with me each day but its hard to be open and honest with them when they ask how I'm feeling because everyone is already feeling stress and anxiety because of the corona virus and to cause them more worry just seems so unnecessary because they cant change the situation or tell me anything new.

My current mantra flips between "it is what it is" and "Breathe, Relax, this is only temporary"

I hope you are well

[Gambit87]

I know them feels,

Ive only been isolating for 5 days now and im already feeling a little all over the place. I'm trying to keep busy and distracted but its hard.

I keep telling myself that these are tough times, but this will pass, we'll get through this and things will get better.