Lockdown extension announcement today

[Depressed_mumma]

Hi. I’m new here. I spent almost 2 weeks in hospital for my depression in August and I came out desperately looking forward to the lockdown restrictions easing. I’m trying to work, homeschool my autistic prep child, look after my 3 yr old who can’t attend childcare because my partner and I aren’t permitted workers. I have felt through all of this that I am doing a bad job at everything. I’m doing a bad job at work, I’m struggling to stay motivated in educating my child (and I’m a former teacher so this devastates me!), I’m grumpy with my three yr old even though she’s beautiful. I have no time left to love my partner properly even though he has been amazing in supporting me to get the help I need. I haven’t felt suicidal for a week or more (yay meds!) but today I’m struggling. I miss my friends, my family, my hobbies, my energy and myself. It would be nice to connect with others who found today disappointing, despite this lovely weather. I know things will get better but it seems so far away.

[Sophie_M]

Hey Depressed mum, thanks for reaching out today on the Beyond Blue forums. It sounds like you are under an enormous amount of stress. We understand how limiting life has become under the restrictions and the impact this has on our mood and motivation. Please know that you've come to a safe, non-judgemental space to talk about your thoughts and feelings, and our wonderful community is here to provide you with as much support, advice and conversation as you need.
If you feel up to it, we'd recommend reaching out to our Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service. The website will be regularly updated with information, advice and strategies to help you manage your wellbeing and mental health during this time. You can also call our dedicated support line, staffed by mental health professionals, which is available 24/7 on 1800 512 348.
We hope that you keep checking in to let us know how you're going, whenever you feel up to it. 

[KC12]

Hi,

I'm sorry you feel this way, I am not in a similar situation to yours but I am also depressed and my immediate family is overseas, I haven't seen them in more than a year and I really don't know when I will again. After today's announcement I broke down, I feel there's nothing for me to look forward to, as I lost my job to COVID and I can't see any friends or my husband's family. My husband has been working through this so I spent more than 10 hours a day by myself which is very isolating. After the news today I feel devastated. I don't know what to say to help other than you are not alone in this.

[missep123]

Hi Depressed mumma,

I hear you and your feelings are completely valid. This is such a frustrating, challenging and difficult time. It sounds like you are doing everything you can. It really sounds like you love your family so much and care about them.

Please know that you are not alone. I can see that you are putting in so much effort. These are such trying times. I'm so glad that you reached out to the forums though. I hope that we can support you and give you comfort

Here for you!

[mocha delight]

Hi depressed mumma I may not have a partner, nor have kids or working so I can’t offer advice ect ect ect but what I can offer is support & a listening ear even if it’s from afar. But I am struggling with it more lately even if my depression is undiagnosed still at this stage but I am on antidepressants prescribed by my gp who strongly believes I have depression just not sure what type of depression I have and I also believe I have anxiety to. I got my first psychologist appointment in a few days on the 9th.

[therising]

Hi Depressed mumma

I imagine you're doing an amazing job, under the circumstances. I have found 'under the circumstances' to be 3 significant words that can sometimes help shift perspective.

Having dealt with depression in the past, I can honestly say I did do an amazing job of coping, under the circumstances. Those circumstances involved some intensely challenging chemistry, the challenges of becoming a mum, environmental influences (including certain people) that did not lead me to hope in ways which would have made a significant difference. There was a long list of challenging influences, under the circumstances at that point in my life. I say, with great pride, that I made it through to fully understand how I did my best at that time.

Whether our circumstances involve depression, exhaustion, a lack of direction, a lack of hope from significant influences in our life, a lack of result (in finding a change to our mindset) and so on, these circumstances present incredible challenge. It is no simple challenge, like choosing which holiday destination to go to. The challenges can be immense. They can be challenges we're facing for the first time like managing a type of exhaustion we've never faced before.

This morning I spent some time in thought regarding the people who would be triggered by today's announcement. My heart goes out to all who are deeply triggered by such challenge. My daughter was one of them. She's making her way through VCE this year and felt deeply saddened by what she does not have to look forward to. No reconnecting with friends, no end of school celebration or excitement in this area of life (at the end of a long 13 years of schooling), no real sense of closure and so on. My thoughts were 'What can I do to raise her in this moment?' For a start, I encouraged her to vent to help her make sense of things. She could not have imagined these circumstances. None of us could have imagined the sorts of challenges we'd be coming to face.

I can definitely relate to missing the energy factor. I miss the emotion (energy in motion) that connects us to life. I miss the feeling of my body rising to excitement, through adventure. I miss how my body feels when I'm in a state of joy, traveling to one of my favourite destinations (a peaceful happiness). With my husband thoughtful in providing long relaxing massages, there is some sense of peaceful happiness with each careful touch. What, for you, would prove a sensational experience at this time?

🙂

[Depressed_mumma]

Thank you for your honesty. Missing your family must be so tough. Yesterday was really hard. Today I went for a long jog in the sunshine with my dog and that really helped my mood.

[Depressed_mumma]

I hope you get the help you need and a clear diagnosis. Seeing a psychiatrist has been life saving this year. I’m not inclined to seek help or let people in usually. Thanks for responding.

[missep123]

I'm really glad to hear that you were able to go for a long jog in the sunshine with your dog and that it helped your mood. I think that takes a lot of strength to do that but also it's so good to hear that you are doing things to help make yourself feel a bit better!