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]

Elizabeth, I understand your concern regarding ‘twisting’ the rules to suit your circumstances. My family member who is a carer and has been unable to have respite during Covid was advised by DHS to have another family member come over and ‘care’ while they take a break. They say that they are sure that this is permitted in the circumstances and would tell police so if it came to it. However, my family member feels that this is just finding a loop hole in the restrictions and opens the doors for others to try and find loopholes and excuses too. I have no idea what the solution is . . . . I can only sympathise with your situation.

[Elizabeth CP]

Fred, I couldn't agree with you more except at the moment I'm not expessing myself as well as you.

You said I guess that I kind of got put off the forums a bit with all of the negativity regarding isolation and restriction rules and government decisions. While I personally am not enjoying being in isolation, working from home and remote learning, I don’t see any other way forward. I would much rather do this and have the virus controlled rather than the current cycle of going in and out of lockdown. I also agree re the concerns re being unable to see health professionals particularly when there is a risk of long term problems which could be alleviated by prompt action.

I find it upsetting hearing people complain & protest encouraging people to break the restrictions for no good reason putting all of us at risk of longer restrictions!!!!

Thanks Sophie for arranging someone to call me. I really needed support & not just general platitudes like distract yourself watching TV.

[blondguy]

Hi Everyone..New posters are always welcome too!

Hello Elizabeth.....always a bonus to read your posts and EM was accurate as you are an amazing person 🙂 Its difficult to be accurate from my own health issues.

You have been a huge part of the forums for a long time Elizabeth.....Having ongoing frequent talks to our doc or counsellor is crucial so we can have 'some peace and balance'...Monthly is good....Fortnightly is Great....and weekly is the wonderful ....(if we can afford it or are bulked billed of course!)

I dont know what you meant when you said 'general platitudes like distract yourself watching TV' Im sorry that you have experienced this before with your doctor. I really hope you can find some peace of mind through establishing trust with a counsellor that can help you help yourself Elizabeth...

Hey fred4761....Its always great to read your posts no matter how often 🙂 There are no expectations on the forums as you know. Thankyou for staying on topic too and mentioning the 7-9.5....The Victorian State government keep mentioning that people arent seeking referrals to see their specialist(s) due to Covid and you are!...I just dont get it....You are spot on as these are unchartered waters fred...Thankyou heaps for providing your advice and TLC here and across the forums..Nice1

Im a 9 today....yet its a rocky road

my kindest...Paul

[blondguy]

Hi Everyone!

just for myself...I come in at about a 6....and was a 10. Im in Victoria and this can be hard work! Good on all the people in SA WA ACT NT. Excellent work by NSW Health Officials for setting the standard re Contact Tracing!

0 to 5 - Low impact...................Coping well and not concerned about Covid-19
5 to 7 - Medium Impact.............Concerned about Covid-19 yet is doesnt effect me
8 ------Frequent Impact...........Concerned and checking media/news reports daily
9------High Impact and experiencing some difficulty functioning on a daily basis
10--Very High Impact-Difficulty coping..sleeping...feelings of helplessness

I hope everyone has a really good weekend!

Paul

[ecomama]

Dear ElizabethCP, YOU ARE AMAZING. You are! You are still here, battling extreme circumstances and you are a trooper!

Fred - high 5 for seeing the Dr! Prayers for your continuing health.

Hi Paul and everyone,

I saw your scale, well done! My "scale" is dichotomous. I'm pretty much a 0 because I can't afford to be otherwise. My MH couldn't withstand the things I was thinking at the beginning of the year, anxiety and C-PTSD was stratospheric. Depression swept in.

So I changed everything. I had to anyway as we were in "lock down". But I bulldozed every strategy I could into my days, until 3am, when I was finishing work after doing learning from home for many children. The teachers were badgering me daily as due work wasn't handed in - we had 1 working laptop between more than 5 of us. None available to buy. We each needed it to do work / school work. We used our phones. The wifi was immensely strained. It cost us a fortune on data. Thousands in computer work.

Then I took leave. Had trauma psych via zoom. It worked for 5 sessions, complete rot for the next 2 lol, I stopped. I kept up Counselling appts I NEEDED THEM.

My fiancee is working in the U.S. repairing Covid testing instruments as an Engineer. THIS was / is the most nightmarish nightmare and I had those recur too. We argued so much. Right now he's worked every day for a month, travelling vast distances... no end in sight. We have no idea if or when we'll see each other again. He is not coping.

BUT everything outside my home is out of my control. Locally it's within my influence. I do the right thing, I believe, at all times. Never shirk the Law.

So yes Covid has impacted me, my family and friends. I make regular check ins with my friends who are at the edge. I am only one human being. I'm doing the best I can. My family are in danger of greater threats being exH.

I will not allow threats to my MH gains. I can't afford to lose my progress, so I'm being staunchly protective over them.

So re: Covid I'm a 0 for me. 9 for others. Dichotomous, sorry dear Paul.

Love and many Blessings to you all, always.
EM

[blondguy]

Hi Everyone...New posters are always welcome to say hello 🙂

Hey EM Thankyou for your helpful/positive post and sharing your life experience which will help others on the forums. Good on you for mentioning that you are in two minds and mentioning the well being factor as a priority thus being a zero. You are strong EM....and then some

I dont understand when you mentioned 'I will not allow threats to my MH gains' What threats? Do you mean political or personal? Im slowly improving and now a '5'

Bear Hugs EM

Clarification.... I neglected to mention Queensland and Tasmania in my above post (18th) re states that are doing well with Covid

Paul

[Elizabeth CP]

Thank you Fred Paul & EM for your kind remarks. Sorry I hven't replied earlier & this reply won't be very good. I'm too tired &anxious to focus & don't want to push myself backwards.

I wish I was as good as you all say but I don't feel that way.

I'm not as bad as I was last weekend prob 8 or 9 but I seem to escalate quickly. I've managed to do a few things whereas at the beginning of the week I couldn't do anything Planning to see my daughter this week. A bit anxious about it Spoke to my pych hoping he'd offer to write me a letter but he said to get the police to ring him if they question me. I might ask for a letter just in case I'm stopped & they can't get through to him. I don't want to lose the benefits of the visit by having issues with police.

Ireally hope numbers continue to drop so we can get back to normal without a furher spike.

[blondguy]

Hi Everyone and thankyou for being a part of the discussion!

Hey Elizabeth...thankyou for your post.....Th restrictions/curfew in vic are only temporary. You will see your daughter especially with the improvement in Victoria's Covid numbers. Many health professionals arent providing a note/letter as they would be inundated with requests. If you are a carer for your daughter its allowed

Paul

[Moonstruck]

Morning all......haven't seen as many of you on here over the last 10 days...what are the latest thoughts on how the Covid drama is progressing.......Moon S x

[blondguy]

Hey Moon!

doing better now that we are in single digit new cases! (Vic)

Im a '3' now....and it feels really good. Hope you have been doing okay Moon....its always great to see you 🙂

Bear Hugs always

Paul