Covid-19's Impact on YOUR well being....Help us help others!

[blondguy]

Hi Everyone

This is a difficult and unprecedented time we are all going through. Out of 10 how has Covid-19 impacted your well being?

Just for myself...I come in at about 8....A brief post will help us help others more effectively!

• 0 to 5 .......... Low impact...................Coping well and not really worried about Covid-19
• 5 to 7 ...........Medium Impact.............Concerned about Covid-19 yet is doesnt effect me
• 8 ................. Frequent Impact........... Very concerned and checking media/news reports
• 9 ................. High Impact..................Frequently concerned and experience some difficulty functioning daily
• 10................Very High Impact...........Difficulty sleeping...increased anxiety...loss of concentration and/or feelings of helplessness

The forums are a rock solid safe and non judgemental place for anyone to post 🙂

my kind thoughts always

Paul

[fred4761]

Like Elizabeth, I can relate to the "flucuating wildly" - this morning out in the garden in the sunshine I felt that things weren't so bad and thought I was probably only a 7. This afternoon the pendulum swung back the other way and I find myself back to a 9. I am not sure what changed for me during that time but it feels as though my emotions are still all over the place and I am ok with that. Initially when Covid started I was concerned about being so emotional and going through moodswings. Now I am more accepting about how I am feeling and have stopped feeling guilty about being happy and feeling guilty when I feel bad because other people are going through it much worse than I am.

[Elizabeth CP]

I am close to a 10. Don't know how to keep going. Feel guilty because I am making things worse for my husband being so down & struggling to do anything. Have no idea where to turn to.Phone supports can only tell you what you should be doing which I already know but they can't get me out of the hole to do it.

[Sophie_M]

Hi Elizabeth CP,

We're sorry to hear that you're close to a 10. We understand that this is a very difficult time and we empathise with what you're going through at the moment. Please know that this community is here to support you, and this is a safe space to vent.

We understand that phone supports are not a whole solution, but it may help to talk it through with someone, and if that helps you through the night then we hope that you do reach out. It might be useful to see someone in a more ongoing way if you are not currently doing this.   If you need help finding ongoing mental health support, please contact the Beyond Blue Support Service anytime on 1300 22 4636 or get in touch with us on Webchat 3pm-12am AEST here: www.beyondblue.org.au/getsupport

Remember that you're not alone in this.

[blondguy]

Hi Everyone and thankyou for your heartfelt contributions....New posters are always welcome too!

Hey Geoff...great post and thankyou for mentioning the affect Covid-19 has on people's mental health...Good1

Hey Grandy....Its always a treat to read your posts and thankyou! I am still a 8-9 as we havent been through a pandemic before and being aware is a smart place to be in during this difficult period

Grandy mentioned 'I have to put my faith in them ( adult sons) that they will do all that’s required of them and a bit more..to keep their families safe..as they are both living and working in the outbreak infected areas...Which I am sure they will do' Thankyou for your reassuring and caring input Grandy!

Hey Fred4761.....Thankyou for helping us helping others here with your excellent post....I am still between 8-9 and still using 'acceptance' too

Fred4761 mentioned 'Now I am more accepting about how I am feeling and have stopped feeling guilty about being happy and feeling guilty when I feel bad because other people are going through it much worse than I am'

Hey ElizabethCP....Its always super helpful to have your input wherever you post on the forums...Being a 10 would be hard..even though I am experiencing difficulty myself. This is my 38th year working through some chronic anxiety/depression and yes it is a horrible place to be in

• there is no quick fix yet frequent phone chats with our doc can work wonders.....Sophie_M mentioned 'It might be useful to see someone in a more ongoing way if you are not currently doing this' Thankyou Sophie-M
• Having the strength to 'let go' and cry to our GP/Doc/Counsellor is a crucial step towards well being

be gentle to yourselves

Paul

[geoff]

Hello Grandy, my heart goes out for the safety and well-being of your youngest.

Elizabeth CP, Fred and everyone else, you do wonder how on earth we can stay strong, but the stronger we are, will help with our mental, emotional, and physical care, then the healthy we will stay, easier said than done, but wasn't my depression like this, absolutely, we seem to be fine on the outside, but inwards, that's where the pain is.

Coupling both of these together does place an enormous burden on all of us, but when things feel out of control, the best place to start is with yourself.

Take care, everybody.

Geoff.

[Elizabeth CP]

Thank you Paul & Geoff, Your kind understanding words are helpful. I have been speaking with a councellor most weeks but last weeks session was cancelled at the last minute. I don't seem to be successful in following his advice. Things which normally help are no longer allowed under the restrictions but there are so many extra demands to care for my husband. Sorry I can't explain any more I'm getting too upset trying to think how to answer properly

[quirkywords]

Elizabeth I can see it is upsetting trying to answer. You have a very difficult situation and it is very hard for you.

If posting is difficult at the moment know there are many people thinking of you.

There are no easy answers and you have so many demands.

I can see you are trying your hardest.

You dont have to explain to us it is clear how complex this is and how he restrictions change everything for you .

[Quercus]

Hi all,

Paul what a good idea for a thread. I like that there is a range for those of us like me who are worried but not really affected personally.

Here in WA we seem to have been very lucky. I'd only rate myself about 5. I'm concerned for others and my little family are careful to follow precautions but its more to protect others and be responsible than out of worry.

Must admit I felt very upset hearing the footy was going ahead here. 30,000 people and all the public transport seems like a ridiculous risk to me. Hubby and I and our parents are 'essential workers' so sometimes it feels like people are happy to write us off as acceptable losses because they want to live freely.

Also part of me felt very ashamed. Why did our state have to show little regard to public safety at the same time as people in Vic and NSW are dying?

Apart from worry for others I find part of me missed the isolation. There was something so freeing about not having to go out and deal with anyone except for work.

My thoughts and prayers to those struggling right now.

[quirkywords]

Moon I wrote a thread once about disagreeing with respect.

I have always valued your thoughts even if we disagree.

I know people who agree with how things are being handled have been ridiculed offline by people who disagree. So it is not just people who have views different to the majority.

The thing is as there many different approaches many people would agree that mental health problems have increased .

I think we all need to to see there are a wide range of views and not everyone will agree exactly with someone else.

Once again i find it sad if you feel let down by your online friends. I feel you also have support from some old friends too.

Quercus great to see your post. Some one said to mee dont you miss going out at night and I thought I have not gone pout much at night for ages before covid.

[Elizabeth CP]

Thank you for your kind words Quirky. I'm a bit better today but still not great.

Quercus, Don't feel ashamed. As a Victorian I would prefer the rest of the country stayed safe. It is helpful to know others care about us rather than some of the negative comments we hear