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

[SD0102]

Hi fred4761

I too have found myself obsessing with checking numbers and media releases over the last couple of days.

I’ve been pretty good up until recently but I think that the continued high numbers in Victoria and now all of the ‘spot fires’ of cases in NSW, I keep thinking maybe I might miss an important update if I don’t check.

I know it’s not healthy but sometimes the urge is too great. My goal this week is to go back to checking once in the morning and once in the afternoon/evening.

Hope you’re going ok.

[blondguy]

Hi Everyone!

Hey SD0102......Thanks for helping out on the forums and this thread too! You made a great point about reducing the time we spend checking the numbers....Same with myself too!

Paul

[fred4761]

How is everyone going today? I am about an 8.

Thanks so much to everyone for the support and encouragement. I wasn’t sure if I should share my little OCD mishap but I am glad that I did. For some reason it felt like I was the only person in the world to obsess about the news updates, it’s nice to know that I am not alone. I have been able to avoid media for the most part and have only briefly given in to the urge to check for news updates.

I was going ok yesterday but then when I popped into a shop another customer said something about it being a hoax (I assume because I was wearing a face mask). I just ignored him but inside I found myself judging him for being naive and trying to spread conspiracy theories. It bothers me how quick I can be to judge people at the moment. I can’t recall ever being so judgmental in the past . . . I guess that the pandemic is bringing it out in me. I think that what really got to me is that whether or not I believe how serious Covid is, I am not going to criticise people for the way they are coping with it and the things that they are doing to help themselves feel safe. I would love it if everyone in my day to day life could be like everyone here on the forums in terms of just listening, sharing and supporting without trying to push an agenda.

Speaking of judging others, it occurs to me as I write this that I am judging myself for judging others! I am slowly learning to be more patient and kind with myself - this whole self compassion thing is hard work though!

[quirkywords]

Hello all

Fred I like the way when you found yourself judging you were aware and decided to stop,

I must admit I am intolerant to people who are intolerant and sprout consipiracy theories,

[Elizabeth CP]

Fred I think your reaction to the conspiracy theorist was reasonable. With the current situation in Victoria we are dependent on everyone following the restrictions & recommendations given by medical officers so we can control the pandemic & we can all get back to a normal. A single person doing the wrong thing has the potential to spread the virus.

I like most Victorians want to be able to do normal activities without risk of picking up the virus & potentially passing it to my husband. I like most people would like to have hospitals with staff available to carry out all the surgeries required instead of people having to wait much longer. If i had family members in aged care I would want to know they were safe & well cared for. I certainly don't like the restrictions. I really miss seeing my family members but I will follow them & want everyone else to do the same so we can get through this as quickly as possible

[blondguy]

Hi Everyone! (and a big wave to Quirky and ElizabethCP for the heartfelt responses)

Hey Fred4761.....still at an 8-9 yet being as calm as I can Fred. Just my humble opinion....you werent judging the customer in the shop at all. There are some people that are in denial using conspiracy/hoax theories as a coping mechanism during this difficult period we are all going through

Your thoughts are just as valued as mine or anyone elses on the forums Fred

Hey ElizabethCP....Thankyou for mentioning '' A single person doing the wrong thing has the potential to spread the virus" Spot on Elizabeth!

my kind thoughts

Paul

[fred4761]

The past couple of days I have been at a 9.5. All of the increases in cases plus having it in my regional Vic area has made me feel sad. I have a good friend who had been in regular close contact with someone who tested positive so waiting to hear from them was stressful. I haven’t been physically socialising with anyone for weeks so wasn’t worried about catching it but worried for my friend and their family. Fortunately the test came back negative, but it is scary having it so close to home. Today I am down to a 9. I am feeling more optimistic that the virus might get under control with the tougher restrictions, although I am not looking forward to the return to juggling working from home, caring for elderly family and remote learning. I did it before and I somehow managed to survive no matter how frustrating and challenging it was at times. I just feel sad today, so sad that I could cry. I think it is just everything. Hope everyone else is travelling ok.

[blondguy]

Hi Everyone

Hey Fred....Thankyou for your heartfelt post. By sharing you have helped many people that choose to 'read' our experiences

I am a 9 at the moment with the new stage 4 restrictions. Its understandable that you are concerned for your friend. Its a relief that the test came back negative. Like yourself I am careful yet whether its stage 3 in regional Vic or stage 4 here in Melbourne's southern suburbs.

You are in the majority Fred feeling like crying.....ditto here as this virus has never happened before...yet its a sign of the strength you possess by feeling this way...

Be Well and thankyou again for being a part of the Beyond Blue forum family Fred 4761

Paul

[Elizabeth CP]

Yes it is scary. I'm unsure how the restrictions directly impact the supports we normally get through the NDIS. I just hope this lockdown works quickly & effectively. None of us can afford long drawn out lockdowns.

[blondguy]

Hi ElizabethCP

always good to see you! I dont think that your NDIS supports will be effected through the new Victorian stage 4 restrictions. How do you feel about the new restrictions?

My kind thoughts always

Paul