You can die from mental health too (sensitive/trigger warning)

[BobbingAlongToday]

Just been thinking really ..

(Might be triggering)

We are quite set on making sure everyone's physical health is attended to and as many people as can, are helped to survive this pandemic.

But I'm wondering about the suicides and other deaths which might occur as a result of deteriorating mental health in all of this.

I work in crisis services (where people are referred at risk of suicide) - our advice is often to 'get out as much as you can', 'dont start isolating yourself', 'keep working', 'talk to people'

What about the trauma of seeing loves ones die alone, or if facing your own mortality? I know of at least one person (personally, not professionally) who, if they contract CV, has stated they would rather kill themself than go through an isolated and painful death. They say they are already stockpiling tablets and planning methods.

And what about people with existing anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, tendencies, etc...

We are doing the opposite of what keeps us mentally healthy. How will mental health services cope now they will be running on a shoe string, and most appointments will be done by phone.

I know the mental health professionals in the NHS will be doing all they can, and more, but I am so worried for our mentally (as well as physically) vulnerable.

I have ocd , depression and anxiety. Also social anxiety. I've had 3 panic attacks . Trying really hard not to panic. The social anxiety bit is easy for me. I can't help but be obsessed with the news. I'm scared that my prescription might run out in the chemist. That would really mess me up. I have 2 kids to look after as well. I have a family support worker who says I can call her on the phone. My heads been messed up from having my ocd triggered lately anyway. I've read to try and look at the facts , but to me the facts are scary. With harm ocd potential threats are amplified anyway. My checking compulsions have increased. Everything just feels weird and scary. I know it's hard for everyone at the moment. If anything happened to my kids or my meds . Or if I caught the virus and had a panic attack? It's very very hard .

Yup. Life sucks.

Or it’s fabulous

I have gad and ptsd from childhood and I think I'm having a nervous breakdown. Don't think I have ever been this afraid before. Don't know how to carry on and be a good mum when I feel like this .

I have PND and I was getting out and going to baby groups which have obviously now all been cancelled and getting my medication from the chemist will be harder. I'm pretty unnerved by it all.

Well, what do you suggest? I’m not unsympathetic, but from a utilitarian point of view, if the risk of suicides from enforced isolation needs to be set against the risk of serious illness and deaths from the virus if social distancing isn’t properly practiced by everyone, the health authorities will prioritise protecting the larger group.

Yup it’s definitely incredibly difficult for most MH sufferers. I have anxiety and a form of ocd and am constantly catastrophising, not only about getting the virus (or my elderly parents getting it) but coping with the whole lockdown thing with 2 toddlers etc etc.

Add to that the prospect of not being able to stick to normal routines, get much fresh air, see friends and family etc and it’s a recipe for disaster for many. But what can we do? Sadly it appears lockdown is very likely as many people just don’t seem to be following the advice and we need to slow down the virus to avoid the NHS being overwhelmed.

It’s also worrying that no doubt mental health services might take a back seat for a while so people’s appointments etc might be cancelled, but I’m sure there are contingency plans in place.

Exactly my thoughts.

I have severe GAD, OCD and panic disorder. I’m also slowly coming out of PND. I was on the waiting list for counselling too. I use a face to face peer support group regularly that kept me afloat and was pretty much my lifeline, but that’s gone too for now. Although they’re offering phone ins. It’s just not the same.
I literally feel numb. I’m exhausted physically and mentally. I keep disassociating.
Being unable to see friends, family and carry on my normal routines is a massive trigger for me. I know I’m lucky in a way that we live in the countryside, so will be able to get out for walks etc but obviously while keeping our distance from others.

I haven't had a proper panic attack for about 15 years. Lo and behold ... they're back ... 🥺

All we can realistically do is offer advice about mental health and hope it's followed. There have been a few features on Radio 1 about it.

Pstd here amongst other things. Haven't been out for 6 days because of my horrendous cough/temperature. Have already had a lot of negative thoughts. My grandmother died at the beginning of the month and we can't have her funeral. My mum is really struggling with that and also the thought of isolation (widowed 2 years ago). She leans on me (too much).

Trying to pretend everything is okay for the kids but really I just want to wash down all the paracetamol I was discharged post emcs x 2 with a bottle of gin. I'd just started to get my life to a point where it was okay, where I was feeling positive about the future and now I can feel it all slipping away and I can't stand it.

I totally agree. But have been told on here that it’s the physical health situation that trumps the mental health one. I’m not so sure although obviously I’m concerned for the physical health of others

All we can realistically do is offer advice about mental health and hope it's followed. There have been a few features on Radio 1 about it.

All the advice I've seen focuses on carving out some "me" time. When your kids are home 24/7 and your husband is working from home that doesn't leave much "me" time.

In fact I'd argue that everything I've seen is aimed at people who might develop mental health issues because of coronavirus, not people who are already struggling with them.

The Radio 1 stuff was trying to avoid too much news and social media stuff, trying not to worry about that which you cannot control, whilst taking the steps you can take/have been told to take to protect yourself and others, signposting to online services, keeping in touch with people who you know suffer with their mental health... All good stuff.

The Radio 1 stuff was trying to avoid too much news and social media stuff, trying not to worry about that which you cannot control, whilst taking the steps you can take/have been told to take to protect yourself and others, signposting to online services, keeping in touch with people who you know suffer with their mental health... All good stuff.

And as I said, it's for people with no existing mental health issues and it's totally useless to people with mental health like mine. I'm a complete and utter control freak. I have been since I was raped. I plan in minute detail months in advance. I struggle when those plans change. Telling me not to read stuff is a total waste of time (if I were Bluebeard's wife that door would have been open straight away). Online services are useless. When I was first diagnosed and was waiting for therapy I was signposted to several. I know what's wrong with me, I even know in theory how to fix it but nothing seems to work.

What would you suggest the government and broadcasting services do for people like you then?

I don't think there is anything they can do. People will commit suicide, probably less than would die of coronavirus if everyone just wandered around as normal. Telling people with anxiety disorders not to worry is both patronisng and pointless though. If only we could just stop...

My last 8 days of self isolation have been hell. The thought of months of this is the stuff of nightmares.

Telling people with anxiety disorders not to worry is both patronisng and pointless though. If only we could just stop...

I think that any attempt at helping at all is probably better than none tbh. Like you say, it won't make a difference to all. But it might to some.

I have anxiety and depression and am extremely panicky about the whole situation. The only consolation is that my tendency to self isolate is now normal and no one will question it.

It's a shit situation all around but we have to prioritise the immediate physical over the mental needs of people obviously. One will kill you faster.
Family and friends will, hopefully, step up more to help with the mental health needs of their loved ones as the NHS cannot.

Please look at online resources, folks. You be able to get many consultations and therapy sessions online now.

*you will

haven't had a proper panic attack for about 15 years. Lo and behold ... they're back ... 🥺

This is me too blondewolf

The anxiety and depression have never gone away but I thought I was done with the full-on panic storms. Not any more. Thought I'd be ok but my DS and DH are sick, I'm just waiting to get sick, I don't know if this is cv or isn't, I don't know anything, and I'm barely keeping a lid on it.

I'm so sorry dinosaur. I'm the same about being unable to not read stuff though not as the result of such a serious trauma. I just get so anxious until I read it and then anxious from reading it. It's clearly annoying DH which is no help. My grandmother and grandfather (on different sides) died a week part in February. We had to wait a long time for my grandpa's funeral (not for coronavirus reasons) but just managed to get it in before all this really kicked off. It must be really hard to not be able to have it and be in limbo on that as well as everything else. Nothing helpful to say but and I'm sorry it's so tough.