Anxious about lockdown

[saltedtortillachips]

Sorry if this has been done, I'm trying to avoid reading too many threads because the whole situation is making me really anxious but I was wondering if anyone else is in the same boat.

Obviously I'm anxious about the virus and lockdown is the clear solution to stopping the spread. I've already been limiting my time outside so I'm being careful.

However I have serious anxiety and a big trigger is claustrophobia. The idea of being forced inside for goodness knows how long, with potentially limited supplies makes me have awful awful panic attacks and I don't know how to cope with them. The gym is a major de stress for me and obviously it's not sensible to go in the current state and I already feel myself becoming more and more stressed

You poor poor thing. I too am feeling anxious, but I do not have claustrophobia so cannot imagine how you must be feeling. What I have been trying to do:
Take one day at a time- not look beyond the day, just take this day at one time.
Create a routine if I am at home all day- making a song and dance about breakfast,lunch and dinner- set the table, play some music, light a candle
Focus the day on one activity- today getting a key cut, tommorrow will go for a walk with eight month old and pack hot chocolate. Next day, I'm hoping her ball pit will arrive so that will be that days activity.
Not look at the news first thing- just let the day be normal for a while and then look at lunchtime.
Do an exercise video
Learn a few words of a different language
Face time someone
I hope some of these suggestions help. If I think about it too long I get super anxious- worry that my daughter will no be be social because we can't see anyone etc etc etc but I can't allow myself to focus on that because we can only do what we can do. Hope my ramblings help a bit xx

@mylittleavalon I really really appreciate the kind words and suggestions of a routine. I've started watching call the midwife and bought some dumbbells to use at home to hopefully give me a bit of routine and a bit of distraction.

LOVE call the midwife!! That sounds great. Hope all goes well and be thinking of you xx

Do you have access to a garden, op?

@bellinisurge I do have access to a small shared garden but it backs onto the bins for several flats and it smells pretty horrible out there unfortunately

I’m so glad you’ve had nice replies on here @saltedtortillachips, I started a similar thread yesterday and there was some horrible responses! I know how you feel. Getting out the house is my coping strategy so if we were locked down I’d probably have a breakdown, I have anxiety and depression and have a son. I’m also a single parent. There is no way we’re staying inside for weeks, one walk a day is essential to my MH and therefore me being able to take care of my son properly. Honestly some people just don’t get it.

@BlueMoon1103 I know it sounds awfully dramatic and of course I won't be being selfish and putting people at risk, but the idea of being trapped puts me at risk in a different way. It's been 3 months since my suicide attempt and to be honest I'm scared of how I'll cope in a lockdown situation. I'm glad others understand though

@saltedtortillachips precisely. You’ve summed it up. It just put you at risk in a different way. That’s exactly the issue I have.

@saltedtortillachips hope you are doing ok today, feeling calmer and enjoying call the midwife. One day at a time. Xx

I'm glad you started this thread. I hope we can keep it going to be supportive.
Everything is closed/closing here. Shops open but I felt awkward going for a quiet coffee today, even though there were only a few of us there. Buses only had a few passengers. It was surreal. The sun was shining and I almost couldn't understand why we would hide away. Our school still open but probably only one more day ?
I am absolutely dreading having our son at home with no sport activities. I could cope being on my own but if he's at home 24/7 it will be torture (sorry to say that ). Don't flame me for being honest. Been laid awake past couple of nights wondering how this all happened so fast? it's too emotional and suffocating

So sorry you're feeling so anxious.

Do you have real life support?

I am sort of your "opposite" as I'm agoraphobic. I'm housebound over 2 years now. So while it's my normal to a degree I do appreciate the way the thing you fear most being imposed on you can make you bad.

My agoraphobia is secondary to ocd and the thing I'm struggling with is not being able to get the cleaning products I usually do and usually get through so much of.

I started a thread for ocd people but got no replies.

Exercise as much as you can in the house, I don't think opening windows is considered risky? If that helps at all?

And yes a routine that suits you and do whatever you normally do that helps anxiety.

I find as well as mn that music and playing games on phone helps a bit.

Hopefully it won't be for too long.

@belay I have a 1 year old and feel exactly the same. No need to apologise, I love him but being locked away with him will be enough to break me.

Today I made a tomato and chickpea curry (it was delicious - would recommend), did a little workout at home using a resistance band while I wait for my dumbbells to arrive and I've just started season 3 of call the midwife. The one day at a time approach is working for now but we'll see how I feel when lockdown is actually enforced. I've managed to repeat prescription for propranolol without having to go into the GP so that should help a lot too. How is everyone else doing?

I'd love it if this thread could become a checking in thread for people with various anxieties about corona virus and the things that come with it

Sounds good @saltedtortillachips I had a little wobble today. My daughter will be 8 months this week and I can't help but think that this lack of social contact will effect her. Am I being silly. Will she be ok with just me and my husband and perhaps a once or twice a week essential trip to the shop? Isn't this when their brains are really responsive? I'm scared this will effect her for the rest of her life. Please can anyone reassure me?!? Xx

@mylittleavalon I'm afraid I don't know anything about child development but I'm sure your child will be just fine, particularly if she's got both her parents at home with her and giving her attention! I'd make sure to be reading to her lots, playing lots of games etc, trying to do some educational/stimulating activities but also give yourself a break sometimes

Thanks @saltedtortillachips funnily enough someone started a thread with exact same thoughts- pretty much said the same as you and my husband. It will be fine. On to a new day now and hope you all have a good one xx

Morning. Hope everyone is ok 💕

@mylittleavalon just like salted says at 8 months what your DD need most is you and DH, sing to her, read to her, find different ways to have fun, that is what her wee brain needs. Totally understand why you would be anxious though, I would have been the same.

Today was quite a stressful day to begin with but I'm doing much better now. Couldn't get my antidepressants or beta blockers and tried in two different pharmacies. Should be able to get them tomorrow though so things aren't too bad but I hate not having them in good supply. I did lots of walking about though and that was lovely, it's freezing here (Scotland) but the sun was out. Now back home and the sun is streaming through the windows, it's quite warm in my flat now :) hope everyone else is doing okay

I get my scripts delivered anyway but I called earlier to arrange delivery of ant depressants and I was lucky to get a delivery slot!

They're a controlled drug so only get one month (well 4 weeks really) at a time and it's a faff as need to allow 3 days at surgery then 2 days at boots so I've taken to ordering 2 weeks in advance and even then it can be cutting it fine! May call boots again for a chat about this.

I've been prescribed a new inhaler too so I'll need to sort that too.

@Graphista it's a hassle getting them sometimes! I understand the risk by prescribing too many but there are other risks from missing doses and going through withdrawals. It makes me incredibly stressed for one thing!

Thanks @Kittensgalore feeling lots calmer about it today, think we will all be up and down depending on the day. I'm also in Scotland @saltedtortillachips got a bit of sun here too and took lo on two walks today. Hope everyone feeling ok. Xx

“but there are other risks from missing doses and going through withdrawals.”

Indeed! I had it absolutely drummed into me that I CANNOT miss or even be late with the ones I’m on as there are serious ill effects if you do so.

I was 2 hours late once and felt like hell for a week after!

@mylittleavalon I know a little about child development. Wouldn't profess to be an expert but I'm an ex nanny and childminder and I've cared for over 30 babies in my time, can change a nappy one handed on my lap!

Socialisation before about 2.5 - 3 years old is mainly family based, they don't need to be meeting lots of different people until about that age.

And even then as long as you're doing lots of interaction with them. Singing, peep bo etc they'll be fine.

Hope everyone's doing okay today! I came across this on social media and I found it really helpful