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

[blondguy]

Hi Everyone

Thankyou Nat for your kind post and prayers for the people in NSW and VIC

We have a expected new rate of 480+ today. Things could always be worse though

I'm still at an 8-9. You are fortunate to be in WA and being a 5.

My kindest always x

Paul

[blondguy]

Correction

I posted the above covid count without specifying it was for only for Victoria

My apologies ...oops!

I hope everyone is doing well

New posters are always welcome to post!

My kind thoughts

Paul

[fred4761]

Today I am a 9-10.

Last night I saw on social media where the Vic premier shared some stats about how of the few thousand people who tested positive, almost 90% didn’t self isolate before getting their positive test results back even though they were showing symptoms. I found this surprising and very alarming. My OCD kicked in and I started obsessing over this and found myself reading and researching news articles about Covid. I had been so good at avoiding the news and then I gave it all away by going down the rabbit hole. I didn’t even realise that I had spent nearly 3 hours on the computer reading Covid stuff. It wasn’t a productive or helpful use of my time 😞

I couldn’t sleep last night. I was still awake at 5am but did manage to sleep for a few hours and I had a nap today. So today has been a struggle. I am trying to not be too hard on myself. I have had other relapses in the past and have managed to get back on top of things again.

[quirkywords]

Fred that is a good idea no to be hard on yourself but realise you are resilient.

[Ggrand]

Hello Everyone.

I have been avoiding the news, social media as much as possible..I think if I did start watching the news, or researching COVID...I would become like you did fred, and start to go down into the rabbit hole..

Being gentle and kind on ourselves if knowing the impact COVID will add to our mh will be more anxiety and negativity...It’s best to stay away from it...

My work colleagues topic of conversation at our lunch break is COVID....I say at lunch break, I’m eating out in the sun for some fresh air...That way I don’t need to listen or contribute to the conversation that causes me more anxiety...I am looking after my mental health by sitting outside at lunch break...

Kind thoughts..

Grandy..

[blondguy]

Hi Fred (and a wave to Quirky & Grandy! )

I am a 8-9 today and thankyou for your ongoing support . I wasnt surprised to see the huge % of people that have gone back into the community after having a test...I was disappointed see the figures as well.

There are many people that 'hide' their thoughts on Covid and thats ok. You will do well Fred as you have the strength (guts) to talk about how you feel....which is a very healthy attitude to have!

Paul

[geoff]

Hello Fred, I have been wondering whether to post a comment about OCD and COVID-19 but have neglected to do so, but the worry with having either of these can then profoundly the other, in other words, this virus can specifically be impacting your OCD.

COVID-19 can trigger certain types of behaviour if you are suffering from OCD and can pose a real threat to over empathise an already problem we have or the beginning of a new one.

It can be a real struggle to rid ourselves of anxiety, something that causes people to have OCD, and I say this because I have it.

Fred if you have been able to overcome any relapse, then you can also do the same here, but would like to hear back from you and anyone.

Best wishes.

Geoff.

[Elizabeth CP]

I don't have OCD but I am finding I spend too much time obsessing about the numbers checking info etc. None of it helpful.The information just confirms my worst fears & makes me feel like there is nothing worth doing. This has sent me spiralling downhill in depression.Anything my councillor suggests just gets filed in the mental 'what's the use category' leaving me feeling more useless.

[fred4761]

Hi everyone, I’m sitting at about a 9 today in terms of how Covid is affecting me. My OCD has been more of a challenge than my Covid concerns, although the two are closely related. Yesterday and today I have had such strong urges to google “Coronavirus”. Every time I have a spare minute the thought pops into my mind. I am not sure what I think will happen if I don’t do it . . . maybe that there will be some vital piece of information that I will miss out on hearing about???? I was able to recognise that my mind was not thinking rationally as I found myself wondering what I could do that would take away this desperate need to search the internet. Maybe if I bought two of something it might take the thoughts away or maybe if there was something else I could do to take the thoughts away and make me feel better. At least I have been able to successfully identify the irrational thoughts and challenge them. So far I have been successfully in resisting the urge to check the news, but it is tough. A few years ago I stopped watching/reading/listening to the news altogether and life became simpler for me. I am just trying to remember that now and to trust that if a piece of news is that important, I will hear about it from somewhere else - my partner, friends, neighbours, coworkers, or family will tell me as they did with all of Covid restrictions.

[blondguy]

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

Hey Fred....you mentioned " I have been able to successfully identify the irrational thoughts and challenge them" This is super helpful! Good1

Hey Elizabeth....Always great to have you post and thankyou. I feel your anguish re the Covid figures.

Hey Geoff....great to have your support no matter where you post and thankyou!

I hope everyone has the best week they can

my kindest always.....Paul