AIBU in thinking that most people’s mental health has deteriorated in 2020

[Mistlewoeandwhine]

Just that really. Everything is harder and shittier and I’m finding it hard to feel positive. I don’t want to ask for help in RL as everyone I know is in a similar position.
YABU - I feel fine
YANBU - I feel shitty too

[IrishMamaMia]

If I did enjoy lockdown which I didn't, I'd be pretty worried about what was lacking in my normal life

[Roseivy44]

YANBU. I don’t have kids so I didn’t have the stress of trying to work from home as well as entertain or homeschool children but my mental health has absolutely plummeted this year.

I’ve never realised so much how daily social interaction with people who aren’t just my DP is important to my mental health. Working from home for 6 months with no foreseeable return to normal has been really tough. I miss the routine of going to the office, making myself look nice, interacting with colleagues, drinks after work etc. It’s all so depressing now.

Like pps have said, the social media posts from those on furlough who basically were on holiday in their gardens for months and spent their time sunbathing, afternoon drinking and baking/crafting did not make me feel good when I was struggling with the huge workload Covid caused me.

It has strained my relationship at points, I’ve been constantly anxious that my loved ones will get seriously ill and I feel like I’m in mourning for the life we had.

I’m struggling to see any good points to be honest.

[GwendolineMarysLaces]

Mine's definitely better for not having to commute to work each day. I've found some bits v challenging but overall, I think I'm in a better place than I was before Covid. I had to go in to work for a day this week which really underscored this. It helps that I am an introvert. I do understand why some people are not feeling like this, however.

[Roseivy44]

@IrishMamaMia

If I did enjoy lockdown which I didn't, I'd be pretty worried about what was lacking in my normal life

This.

[Lydia777]

I think people who enjoyed lockdown are probably severely mentally ill and don't realise it. I had to go on antidepressants, found it so unnatural. We're pack animals for a reason.

A very ignorant, small-minded comment-one from someone who has the inability to see that their own likes and dislikes are not the same as everyone's.

Lockdown experiences vary so much. I enjoyed it because I am an introvert and have no children and enjoyed working from home on full pay-the time out affected my mental health positively(I am definitely not a 'pack animal.' However, I am well aware that for many people it was a time of huge anxiety, loneliness or stress.

[DoTheMaccaroni]

I’m with you OP. Today has been a dark day where I’ve spiralled a bit. I have more good days though if I try not to dwell.

Today I’ve been suffering with ‘apocalyptic anxiety’ after watch ‘the social dilemma’ the other night Feeling a bit better this evening though after putting some things into perspective.

[lazylinguist]

I think people who enjoyed lockdown are probably severely mentally ill and don't realise it.

What a ridiculous remark. I'm not remotely mentally ill and I know other non-mentally-ill people who enjoyed lockdown too. People who, like me, had increased leisure time, were not at work, enjoyed spending more time with their partners and children, kept in touch with relatives on Zoom etc. Does any of that sound like mental illness to you?

[Roominmyhouse]

Can people really not understand why some people might have enjoyed lockdown? It’s given me 2 hours a day back as I’m not commuting due to WFH, I’ve had more time to relax and a slower pace of life which had been so lovely. I’m fed up of everything I wanted to do being cancelled but overall I don’t feel like this has affected my mental health. That doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with me.

It also doesn't mean I don’t appreciate that this has been horrendous for lots of people but those not feeling negative about it should not be made to feel guilty about that.

[IrishMamaMia]

@Lydia777 I actually think it's ignorant and small-minded to be so wrapped up in yourself that you'd enjoy a period in time like that. I feel really worried for our greater society and that affects me. I'm not someone who just thinks of their own microcosm but there's clearly lots of you about.

[ilovebagpuss]

Exhausted just one long slog of stress. Working the whole time Out of the house kids at home alone not always doing their work and becoming withdrawn shut ins.
Actually catching Covid at work and having done with it is the only positive and that’s saying something.
Unless I’m a medical anomaly and get it again I work in the care world so it’s a possibility. Now I’m just tired and any little derailment to my day I just don’t have the reserves to cope.

[MillyMollyFarmer]

Life is what you make it. Lots of people made the best of their time in lockdown. Others moaned and are now miserable.

Wow. What a privileged statement that is. Just wow. Got a great job and plenty of money I guess

[Mistymonday]

My MH has improved I think from being at home more, not having a commute or office politics every day. Plus more time walking my lovely dog :)

I know I am lucky to be able to wfh.

[Mistymonday]

(No kids though, probably helps.)

[Rumbletumbleinmytummy]

Me, DD and DHs MH is in the toilet since lockdown.
I've a lot of issues, and I've been worn out trying to put a happy face on 24 hours a day.
It isn't that we havent worked on it. But covid has knocked the shit out of our lives.

[SockYarn]

All the people saying they enjoyed the more relaxed pace of life, more time with their families, fresh air, less socialising etc really really upset me

I totally get this. DH and I were both at home. But we were both working just as much as we ever had before. I certainly didn't have extra time for walks, or baking bread, or learning a language, or all those other things which we were "supposed" to be doing. What with work, queuing at supermarkets, and trying to encourage three kids to do their own work, I had precious little time for anything else.

[Nicolastuffedone]

Well, I’m retired and tbh, I didn’t mind lockdown at all! And I’m about as far from severely mentally ill as you could find! I quite enjoyed having no obligations to do anything, I spent time gardening, reading decluttering etc....I kept in touch with family via FaceTime and zoom. Everyone’s experience will be different 🤷‍♀️

[Moomin12345]

Mine has improved vastly due to the lack of commute and horrid inane office small talk.

[VodselForDinner]

Can’t say I enjoyed lockdown, or the current situation.

However, the pandemic has led to me making a big life decision that I was struggling with, and that has improved my overall well-being.

[Anniemabel]

My mental health is in a much better place. Working from home has meant cutting out massive commute for dh and has meant that I am not rushing out of the office for nursery pick up. We’ve spent a lot more time together as a family and dh is around more to help with the kids.

Core lockdown, with wfh and homeschooling was really really tough, tiring and at times quite stressful but weirdly I was still happy because I was with my favourite people all the time.

[CherryPavlova]

@IrishMamaMia

If I did enjoy lockdown which I didn't, I'd be pretty worried about what was lacking in my normal life

Yes probably true. What is missing is often time and scope to relax. My husband has gone from a minimum of three nights away with commuting between London, Oxford, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Bath, and York to doing most of the work remotely. Weekly hours reduced by about 25 hours. No driving or flying home exhausted. Not a constant diet of heavy work dinners and drink. More chance to walk the dog at lunchtime. More energy for a social life.
Time was definitely missing.

[Polkadotties]

I didn’t enjoy lockdown however I am off antidepressants for the first time in years. I wfh, have a better work life balance, have more me time, have more for exercise.

[Sideorderofchips]

My mental health is fucked.

Covid

Manipulative ex frieind

Ex husband who slept with ex friend

Trying to keep my shit together whilst working and bringing up 3 kids with already precarious mental health

Yeah mines fucked.

[WellThisWentWell]

I would guess it’s been really hard for single people, who don’t have many/any friends.

If you have a family, your not as alone, so it has to be much easier.

[IrishMamaMia]

@CherryPavlova I do think it is great that people have been able to evaluate ate and make positive changes as a result of Covid. I just get irked on here by people who wax lyrical about lockdown itself .
The positive for me was that as I had to go on antidepressants due to a downward spiral at the end of March when lockdown started , I found they really agreed with me and once the restrictions ended and my kids started back at nursery I have been able to get on with exercise too and am enjoying life more. Being under house arrest made me realise I'm very lucky and I've been seizing the day.