To think it’s impossible to maintain mental health now

[Sunnydays999]

I’m struggling now . You keep hearing look after your mental health , but we can’t . The things I need to do aren’t available.Arguing more as a couple snapping more at the kids . Anyone else feel like this ? Or have any tips

Finding it really hard today. Missing DP who I do not live with and just feeling really down.

I’m desperate for a hug. Haven’t seen my DP since December as we are in a LDR. Haven’t seen my parents in 7 months.
I cuddle my 2 year old DS but it’s not the same. I’m fortunate to have that though.

Lissy how far is far? My DO and I live apart too but we see each other every few weeks by not seeing anyone else for a period before hand (not totally isolating as in not going to the shop but not seeing parents etc). neither of us are working out of the hime so contacts are minimal. Could you do that? I think given the length this has gone on / is going on, that sort of reasonable adjustment is necessary that perhaps wasn;t in the first lockdown.

Yep I have reached peak lockdown madness now. This week is the worst I’ve felt since this whole thing started in March last year. There’s no particular reason, in terms of nothing changing I have just reached the end of my tether. Kids had enough of their Home learning. My husband and I are sick of the same old walks and routines..it’s all too much and I need some release!

In terms of mental health I have always suffered with depression but citalopram has made a big difference to me, I started it last summer. It was doing a great job until this week where I just feel like I’ve hit a brick wall?!

Yep I'm having a hard time this time around. I miss my parents and friends so much.

I was doing ok until Christmas, then we all caught Covid and I just wanted my mum I am in a good routine, I walk for at least an hour a day every day, get up and go to bed at the same time, and I listen to funny podcasts to make myself laugh. I do feel currently that if I don't maintain those few things I will swiftly spiral downwards. I work in the NHS and I'm a mature student. Lots of people (mainly mothers) on my course are deferring the year as they're struggling. I'm clinging on for dear life myself and just hoping to scrape through the year. I am not enjoying my studies and feel like I'm really just existing

I am really struggling at the minute. I've been on medication for PND since January 20. My two boys don't sleep and I'm coming off the back of 2 bad nights with them. I lost my shit with the kids today, the 2 year old because he was exhausted and whinging and climbing all over me and the 4 year old because he kept pulling his tablet off charge and it kept switching off!

Kids aren't burning enough energy during the day, they are used to being outside or at nursery or being able to go to soft play but the weather is rubbish and they just can't get out as much as we'd like, plus the same walk around the park everyday is boring! Trying to engage them in activities when all the want to do is watch tv or an iPad and I really don't want the tantrums. I feel awful that they are missing out on their normal life at the minute and that just makes me even more upset!

To top it all off I'm currently 7 months pregnant with terrible PGP and terrible back pain, I can't walk far just now so getting away from everyone can't really happen.

Work is really busy at the minute and we are struggling to cope with giving the kids enough attention whilst still trying to do work. Work said we'll support you around childcare but all it seems is that they've piled more work on my plate since the kids nursery closed. My deputy is off sick and I'm drowning in work.

Thanks for the space to rant, it's made me feel a little better!

It’s really tough for most of us but I clicked YABU only because I don’t agree we should just give up on our mental health. It’s not to say either that everyone can help themselves because that’s never the case - if you need more help, OP, then phone one of the helplines and talk to someone there. There is support out there and this situation, though currently it feels endless, will not go on forever.

I was doing okay and then saw the clip of the duchess of Cambridge saying we need to look after ourselves to be the best parent and wanted to kick the computer.
I don't find it helpful having someone who has loads of staff telling me that if I don't "look after myself" I'm not going to be the best parent possible. I usually like her but found that the cherry on to given I'm the one organizing the school work for all three primary children, and who reads all the feedback from school. Second I think we make progress on something I read feedback about how the handwriting could be neater and suddenly I want to cry and give up.

Also finding it hard knowing a considerable number of families have sent their children in to school this time because one is a key worker, even though they don't work school hours, the feeling that we are all mostly in this sh*t show together has completely gone.

Hugs to everyone struggling, I keep envisaging the first day when kids are all back I will find a quiet room and have a drink uninterrupted.

@Nicolastuffedone

No problem with my mental health.....just very, very bored of it all now

Same but my lockdown is very privileged. No school age kids, stable income, nice house and garden, surrounded by lovely country walks to take the dog out in.

I have absolutely no idea how people trying to work at home and home school their kids in a flat with no garden cope. It must be hell.

Hi just want to say Thankyou for some
Of the ideas it’s been really helpful.
In answer to a couple of questions I have cptsd & anxiety . It isn’t a case of just having councelling ( which I have had ) the things I need to do ( which are part of my safe plan ) I can’t do Because of restrictions

@UnholyStramash because of my diagnosis I’m told to speak to the people who support me . Unfortunately they have said we are fairly limited , they can’t offer me the support at the moment . I aren’t at crisis point but feel myself slowly sinking

@colouringindoors

I'm bored of this current trend of everyone assuming everyone else is struggling to make themselves feel better. It's a race to the bottom and spoiler - most people are coping just fine.

wow. just wow. Are you aware that there are now multiple threads across all sections of this site with people expressing severe mental distress?

I'd say 80% of the people I know are struggling, 90% of those with children.

Posting "most people are coping just fine" on a thread like this one is f$%king heartless, unkind, insulting, blaming. Go and find some empathy.

That's sad for the people you know

I'm coping just fine as is everyone else I know. Again, it's silly to say just because some people can't manage their mental health at the moment means everyone can't.

@colouringindoors I think people who have previously struggled with mental health / and or current issues would struggle. Some people are insensitive

I'm coping just fine as is everyone else I know.

Or, everyone else you know is pretending they're fine because you are the LAST person they'd tell based on your responses!