Told to self isolate - concerned about mental health

[hidingbehind2]

Hello,

So I've had a message alert today on my NHS track and trace soo to inform me to self isolate for 9 days.
My partner is the only person I've been with since the start of the last lockdown, and we haven't actually been anywhere since the lockdown started other than work (I don't check into work each day using the app)

I am really concerned for my mental health. I'm struggling immensely with my ongoing anxiety and depression, having obtrusive and obsessive thoughts and my OCD is getting out of hand. I'm on medication but don't feel it's helping much with the general stress of covid and now having to self isolate. Even before covid - staying indoors even for a day; made me extremely anxious.

The thought of being stuck inside is making my stomach flip. The anxiety is kicking in, in full force already.

AIBU to feel this way? I'm jot dating I won't abide by the rules; but I just feel this is going to affect so many people's mental health. I'm genuinely concerned for mine. ☹️

• track and trace app

** I'm not saying I won't abide by the rules. Gosh I can't type today!!!!!!

You dont need to check in for the app to work as it works on Bluetooth between your phone and others that have the app.

Do you have a garden? You can go in that if you do. Does the app say when contact was? From Monday self isolation is reducing to 10 days from 14 so that should help too

I'm sorry things are getting on top of you but it's only ten days (rules change on Monday). I'm a week into mine. It's annoying because I wasn't prepared for it (shopping etc) but to be honest I wasn't going anywhere anyway and I can work from home.

Why don't you like staying in normally though? That doesn't seem right.

Are you sure you didn’t get a rogue message? My son did where the message flipped up on his phone and then disappeared!!

The rogue message doesn't tell you to isolate though

OP, I hear you. I didn’t have to isolate for as long as that but remember that trapped feeling.
Have you got enough food, medication etc? Track and trace should help you with that if you don’t have somebody to help.
Would it help to plan a little “project” for each day? Nothing big, just FaceTiming somebody you’ve not spoken to for a while or something like that. I find it’s helpful to try and retain some kind of structure.
Look after yourself.

Ok @Jaxhog not very supportive.

Just at the end of a ten day isolation with a family member with similar mental health issues. We kept her busy, lots of family rang to chat to her. We played board games and caught up on rubbish tv shows. Think it's all about keeping your mind as distracted as possible. Bit of fresh air in the garden helps too.

I think letting those close to you know you think you're going to struggle through this can help. Hope you are ok and gave some support around you x

I know this isn't helpful but this is why I don't have the app. I don't trust it and it can have detrimental effects mentally and finally if you have to isolate but have no idea why

*financially

Do you have a garden? Could you make yourself a list of jobs to do outdoors?

Sorry you are struggling, it really is rubbish.

Hi op, I did shielding and there is an awful daunting feeling but you settle in to it I found. Build a routine, find little joys, distractions and plan your day with something to achieve. 9 days goes far faster than you’d think, it’ll be done before you know it.

So I've had a message alert today on my NHS track and trace soo to inform me to self isolate for 9 days.
My partner is the only person I've been with since the start of the last lockdown, and we haven't actually been anywhere since the lockdown started other than work (I don't check into work each day using the app)

If you haven't been with anyone other than your husband while using the app, and it's told you to isolate, then it seems you've had a rogue message. It happens.

The app isn't reliable which is why you can't be fined for not following its instructions.(unlike the phone calls from test and trace which firmly link you as a contact, and for which isolation is a firm requirement).

If you know for certain that you haven't been anywhere near anyone other than your husband, or might be that your phone was on your bag somewhere and picking up a Bluetooth connection? If you've been told to isolate for nine days, the occasion that your phone picked up another phone's Bluetooth happened five days ago. So if you know for certain that you weren't a close contact (read the definition of that I the govt website) if anyone, then I'd not follow it up the nth degree. I'd be vastly more careful, but I'd go for walks etc.

@Jaxhog

If you think your mental health will affected by 10 measly days, try shielding for 3 months.

?! How the fuck can you think that's any kind of suitable response to

"I'm struggling immensely with my ongoing anxiety and depression, having obtrusive and obsessive thoughts and my OCD is getting out of hand"

God knows I know that shielding is hard but at least it didn't turn me into a top trumping rude and unsympathetic dick.

@hidingbehind2 could you go back to your GP and ask for your medication to be re-assessed and tweaked if need be? I'm sorry you are struggling.

OP please speak to your GP if you are struggling. It may be that your medication would benefit from a change or dose adjustment.

This is why I don’t have the app

But YANBU. I think you should ring your doctor and see if there is any extra help they can offer you.

Can I ask why you’re so anxious about being stuck at home? I’m wondering where you are stuck in an abusive home situation? Are you safe?

Definitely agree with contacting your GP for a medication review. I don’t have much advice but trying to maintain a normal schedule will really help. I took sleeping tablets for 2 days this week to reset my shocking sleep pattern after working night shifts. I generally feel so much better and have a lot more energy now that I’m back in my normal routine!

The top and bottom of it is that if you caught it and you passed it on you'd feel worse so you have to do what it says. Like a pp said the app works on Bluetooth, you don't need to check in at work for it to know if you've been near someone who tested positive.
I think you've got to try to do it and hope that it passes quickly and isn't as bad as you are thinking. Remember you will get a couple of weekends with your partner if he lives with you, so not too many working days on your own now that it's down to 10 daya isolation. But if it is really bad for you and you aren't coping, call the doctors. You shouldn't be put in a position that isn't safe for you. I would imagine in your position you could be quite justified in getting a test. From what I understand, five days from the contact should be enough to tell you if you have it. Good luck OP.

I'd go for a walk on your own or with ypur partner every day to get out of the house.

@Violetparis that’s not the rules 🤦🏼‍♀️

The app is bollocks... not reliable as you could leave your phone in a bag and be elsewhere yet still have to isolate...I'll only trust being named as a close contact.

What did you like doing outside that kept your MH reasonable? Just a walk? If you can work out what it is about being at home which makes you anxious, perhaps you can find some coping mechanisms. In theory, being at home is a safe, comfortable place. Is it keeping yourself occupied that is the problem? Too much time for thinking? If you aren't working from he, doing any DIY or gardening, perhaps you could make a daily routine of whatever you enjoy - reading, jigsaws, home workouts, films , crafts etc. Make firm going out plans for when your quarantine is over.