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Original poster

I don’t think people are taking the mental strain into account.

43 replies

BlueMoon1103 · 15/03/2020 08:55

I’ve been on this board A LOT the last couple of days and I’m seeing a lot of poster throwing round ‘isolate just in case’ or similar even when other posters are not having symptoms.

I don’t think the negative effects isolating for an entire week or more will have on mental health are being considered here. It’s not a decision that should be taken lightly or ‘just in case’ for many people.

I struggle with anxiety and depression and if I had to stay in my home with no contact for a week I think that would finish me off mentally so would only do it if it was absolutely necessary and for the shortest time possible. Posters who are saying this are being called ‘selfish’ and similar but I really don’t think those without MH issues understand!

OP posts:
isabellerossignol · 15/03/2020 08:56

I agree. There are a lot of people for whom self isolation could tip them over the edge.

Karwomannghia · 15/03/2020 09:03

I agree there are a lot of knock on effects for locking people in together- mental health, substance abuse, domestic abuse, child neglect. These side effects could be worse for many people than cv.

thereplycamefromanchorage · 15/03/2020 09:08

I agree too. All this talk of over 70s self isolating for 4 months - for my mum this would probably precipitate a complete breakdown. She lives alone, has MH problems and copes by having lots of social interaction. It's not about her being selfish - she just can't cope at home alone.

Rhubarbpeony · 15/03/2020 09:09

I agree. Self isolation is going to be a necessity for most of us at some point, so it’s mad to suggest people do it prematurely on absolutely no basis. A sensible, risk-based approach is the way to do this, not a blanket policy of treating everything other than perfect health as a symptom of coronavirus.

Zacharyezrarawlings · 15/03/2020 09:11

I work in mental health and how this whole thing is effecting people's mental health in many ways is a rel concern. This is really impacting lots of people with anxiety/depression/OCD/health anxiety. And on top of that staffin in mental health , which was already horrendous, is only going to get worse and people may not get a smuch support as they need as staff get pulled to look after the most unwel on inpatient wards. It is definitely worth thinking about checking in with anyone you know who struggles with their mental health and seeing if you can support them in any way.

Bluewavescrashing · 15/03/2020 09:14

I experienced severe chronic illness last year for several months. I was at home for a long time on my own.

Only now are my friends saying, I understand how hard this must have been!

Original poster
BlueMoon1103 · 15/03/2020 09:18

@thereplycamefromanchorage exactly! I’m like your Mum in that I cope with my MH by getting myself and my son out daily and that’s my coping strategy. If I couldn’t do that I think I’d have a breakdown.

OP posts:
DoubleAction · 15/03/2020 09:19

A prolonged period of isolation would be a disaster for lots of reasons:

DV will increase
Suicide will increase
Children not safeguarded
Intense financial hardship leading to both mental and physical health issues
Incredible stress from the uncertainty of it all
Deteriorating health though lack of proper nutrition, exercise etc, if it's very prolonged

Loads of things. Views will vary on whether these are necessary evils.

megletthesecond · 15/03/2020 09:20

I agree. I've struggled with social distancing this weekend tbh. I took the dc's for a walk but they argued all the time, and arguing tweens are just horrible.

idontlike789 · 15/03/2020 09:27

I agree it's one of many things to consider regarding self isolation.
That's what has annoyed me about a lot of these threads it's not easy for everyone to self isolate it's not black & white .

Seventyone72seventy3 · 15/03/2020 09:33

I don't think it's not being taken into account I think that it is just that it is better than not doing it. We really need to try and contact people who are feeling isolated, a phone call can go a long way to making someone feel less alone.

Original poster
BlueMoon1103 · 15/03/2020 09:33

I was expecting to get back lash for this thread so glad that there are people who agree with me!

OP posts:
Original poster
BlueMoon1103 · 15/03/2020 09:34

@Seventyone72seventy3 I hate talking on the phone as do most people with anxiety so actually for a lot of people they need real contact...not a phone call...

OP posts:
Iliketeaagain · 15/03/2020 09:36

I agree - I happened to be at home all week with a back issue - couldn't drive, couldn't walk, so couldn't work. It has made me realise that I would be absolutely awful if I had to self-isolate, so I'm definitely not doing it unless absolutely necessary.

Kateplaysrugbyinmydreams · 15/03/2020 09:40

You're quite right op. My parents are both just over 70 and live close to my nephew. No way are they not going to see him or my sister for 4 months and it would really harm them to try.

Seventyone72seventy3 · 15/03/2020 09:42

@BlueMoon1103 Well sometimes you can't do what you want so you just have to do the next best thing!

freddiethegreat · 15/03/2020 09:45

Yes, I agree. Without going into details, I am just about steering a course through dv right now. I am working with agencies & doing all the right things, but if we have to self isolate together, I have a real problem. Fortunately, for now, the advice is only for the symptomatic person to self isolate, but once it becomes all household members, I have no idea how it will work.

Trooper59 · 15/03/2020 09:45

I agree. I'm really struggling already with losing my income and now facing being at home for the next 4 months. I feel anxious and depressed and like my world is falling apart. I could easily not go on.

Original poster
BlueMoon1103 · 15/03/2020 09:48

@Seventyone72seventy3 you are proving my point perfectly. It’s not about what I ‘want’, it’s about what I NEED to keep my mental health at a functioning level. That is what this thread is about. MH not being taken into consideration and dismissive and blasé attitude of ‘oh well just get on with it’ that will push many people over the edge Angry you’re doing the very thing I’m on here trying to combat!

OP posts:
Seventyone72seventy3 · 15/03/2020 09:53

@Bluemoon1103 You don't get it. I know it is hard and I am not being blasé. I suffer from anxiety too. I can't go out and I haven't been able to see friends for ages (I am in Italy). What do you want me to say? Go out anyway? Meet up with friends? That is NOT possible. It is hard for everyone. Now is the time to work on finding other ways to not feel isolated. You don't want to use the phone? Fine but you might find that after weeks of not seeing anyone it doesn't feel so bad to use the phone. Try it.

Original poster
BlueMoon1103 · 15/03/2020 09:55

Personally in that situation I’d brave the sodding CV and invite some mates over to stay! If we’re going to quarantine may as well do it at my house then no one has to feel suicidal!

You’re lucky that your anxiety allows you to find ‘other ways’. For some people there is no ‘other way’.

OP posts:
Catworrier · 15/03/2020 09:59

I spent all of yesterday in panic mode. I suffer with anxiety and depression. And I have a wedding coming up in 5 weeks.

Yesterday all I could think about it whether we have enough food (I'd consider myself a prepper due to natural anxiety needs), what we have to do if the wedding is cancelled, what if the bins can't be collected (HmmI know, most of these are so so stupid), what if we need to get somewhere and we can't, what if deliveries stop, what if I can't do the washing frequently enough, what if we are ill on the wedding date.

I just had that noise in my head all day. But it was like I was numb and couldn't do anything about it.

idontlike789 · 15/03/2020 10:03

I'm more worried about the fact that I may not be able to work , dc not go to school , get food , medical supplies. I'm worried about my elderly relatives if they have to self isolate for months and I'm worried for myself too the mental toll on all this .
The cv is the very least of my worries, it's not that we don't get it we very much do but you don't get the fact that we can't just go oh well will just stay home for weeks . The financial and mental effect it has not to mention the practical effect .
The op is not unreasonable to say so .
This should not be another thread where someone comes on and says it's selfish and unreasonable and we don't get it . We do get it we get it all too well .

LynetteScavo · 15/03/2020 10:15

Being alone is my way of staying mentally healthy, so I would be quite happy in isolation, as long as I could read/listen to music but I am feeling anxious about going outside. I really don't want to go to work tomorrow. However I know my mother in her 80s who lives alone will be miserable if she can't go out.

YoursTunbridgeWells · 15/03/2020 10:19

If we end up in lockdown there is a high possibility that my teen may successfully commit suicide. Their MH issues have given me MH issues and I'm not sure I will survive it either.
The tiny amount of help we have had to fight so hard for through CAMHS looks like it will disappear beacuse of CV. Any nurses and Psychiatrists are still medically trained and we have been warned they may be pulled into hospitals to do unfamiliar medical work.

We have also been told that some anti-depressants will likely run out in the next few weeks and there will simply be none available - people will have to come cold turkey off them.

I expect the rate of sucicide will therefore increase dramatically.