To break self isolation (back story please read)

[scared2postthis]

ok so basically I tested positive for Covid on the 11th so one week ago. I live alone in a one bedroom flat with no garden. None of the people in my block of flats know I've got covid so they wouldn't snitch on me. My parents have been bringing me groceries.
Anyway I have a huge history of mental illness which has required hospitalisation on multiple occasions. Depression, anxiety, panic attacks, suicide attempts, etc. One of the things that really set me off is feeling trapped, so I get really panicky when there's too many people and I can't move, but also as it turns out when I'm stuck in the same room for nearly a week. My mental health has gone so downhill, I have been having multiple panic attacks a day and it's getting really bad. What I really need is to go out for some fresh air- it has been a week since I tested positive and I can't take this anymore. I've been trying to get through to the doctors but they don't have any appointments.

Would I be totally unreasonable to don a mask and go out for a walk tonight? I would go at around 11pm-midnight where there would be less people around, I would even go at 4am if I had to. I wouldn't go near anyone but my god I just need a quick escape from this hellhole. I can't even be that infectious after a whole week surely?

Please tell me if I'm being a selfish cunt I won't go if that's the case but I don't know what to do I can't take this much longer

@Lacedwithgrace

Absolutely not. You can stay at home for a couple more days and open a window for fresh air.

ODFOD

I have really poor MH and have also had to isolate a few times in a tiny flat, so I sympathise. I think generally a lot of us with terrible MH are also more likely to live in cheaper places like flats, which doesn't help much!

Personally I have chosen not to go outside when I've been in isolation, and I really hope that other people in my block wouldn't either. Masks aren't 100% reliable, and our hallways and stairwells are so small and don't have any windows or fresh air. Anyone breathing out covid will leave it lingering there for everyone. I have two really lovely elderly neighbours who I know have been careful, and I would feel too guilty if something happened afterwards.

However you have to do what's right for you and your own mental health, and maybe your communal spaces and other residents are set up differently? Wear masks and be careful as others have said.

Whatever you do, have you also tried apps like Balance and Headspace? Balance is currently free for a year, and Headspace offers a free trial. I really like the ocean and rain visualisations and often walk on the spot with them on and the windows open.

Yes yes yes please do go outside! My son is in a similar position- three grown men isolating in a tiny flat with little natural light- he goes out for a brisk walk at 6am- doesn’t see a soul. It’s saving his sanity xx you need to be realistic with this virus and how you deal with it xx

Do it. Its for your own sanity. My best friend told my father in law to do this when he had it last week

Go for a walk. It doesn't need to be in the middle of the night, noone will catch covid from walking past you outdoors. Take care of yourself, get out when you need to.

Definitely go for a walk. I genuinely don’t understand the few people who are saying don’t. I don’t understand what you think the risk is if she has no contact with anyone??

Personally I’d go out there early rather than late at night and wear gloves if you need to hold a communal bannister / open communal door etc. There are thousands of asymptotic people wandering around freely unknowingly infecting people. By isolating when we know we have covid we are doing the right thing by not potentially infecting others but some people on here clearly follow rules like sheep without actually thinking about the point of them. Please please go for a walk

Lots of people are break self isolation

Hopefully most are being sensible

I think it’s for you to decide

We need to look after ourselves as best we can

@Lacedwithgrace

Absolutely not. You can stay at home for a couple more days and open a window for fresh air.

Bugger off.

OP, go for it. An outing and some fresh air can make the world of difference. Enjoy it.

@aquietlifeplease

Absolutely go for the walk, if you suffer a major mental health crisis you'll have to go out to be treated so better you prevent that. As someone who suffers quite badly with my mental health you have my deepest sympathy, I hope a walk lifts you just enough to start you on a better path.

This totally! Go for a walk and enjoy it.

if you suffer a major mental health crisis you'll have to go out to be treated so better you prevent that

That's a good point. Far better to go for a walk and be away from people, than risk needing to be in contact with people in order to be treated.

In your situation I would and I think you need to reassess your living situation. Why haven’t you got a garden? If it’s this bad then you need to move.

@Lacedwithgrace

Absolutely not. You can stay at home for a couple more days and open a window for fresh air.

ODFOD. You clearly haven't a clue about mental health otherwise you wouldn't make such a ludicrous suggestion 🙄

@wishymore

In your situation I would and I think you need to reassess your living situation. Why haven’t you got a garden? If it’s this bad then you need to move.

If someone could afford a house with a garden, do you think they'd be living in a one bed flat?

@wishymore

In your situation I would and I think you need to reassess your living situation. Why haven’t you got a garden? If it’s this bad then you need to move.

Please tell me I didn't just read that.

OP. Absolutely love, 100%.

There HAS to come a point where we're just learning to live with this bloody COVID and ignore any of the YABU above from people who don't know what it actually feels like to have anxiety or suffer from panic. Everyone has felt "panic" in their lives but those who haven't actually suffered from chronic panic probably think the two are the same...and they are not. Go out. Get fresh air. Don't be trapped.

I thought you were going to say to meet someone or go shopping.

7 days post positive result. absolutely fine. I thought self isolation was for that period? IIRC that’s what it was when DC and DH tested positive last year?

Go in the new few hours. It will be fine.

Totally do it. Don't tell anyone as people can be judgemental, but I really think you should. Hope you feel better soon.

I did. I didn't even see anyone.

Go but please be careful out alone at that time of night,take your phone and always be aware of exactly where you are,road names,and be aware of who is around.
I hope you feel better for some fresh air .

Definitely go out but don't leave it as late as 11pm. Go just now if you can. I take my children out at this time to walk around looking at Christmas lights and never really pass anyone. I suppose it depends if you live in a busy area but if it's possible to avoid people then I'd definitely get out before 11pm for your own safety.

I would, but I would go in the morning when it gets light but there are few people around; much safer for you than walking alone at 11pm.

Also when did your symptoms start? When we tested positive we were told to isolate 10 days from symptoms or if no symptoms then it had to be from positive test date so if you were showing symptoms before your test then that would count as day 1. Unless the guidance has changed?

You are actually legally allowed to do so. You can go shopping (essential items- if you have no-one to do it for you), go to the vet, even go on public transport. It’s in the guidance.
Alot of people go out, to the pub, Christmas shopping, even work.
You sound responsible and for mental health reasons, slap a mask on and just go.

Just go for a walk and steer clear of people. The fresh air will do you the power of good physically and mentally.