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To think that after this is over a lot of people will suffer an increase in mental health issues?

110 replies

Helpmechangemymindsetplease · 21/03/2020 06:21

Just to speak for myself, I am putting one foot in front of the other. My dc will now be off school of course, the two eldest missing their A Levels and GSCEs, the youngest is in Year 9, their school using Google classroom to teach them every day. I am single so no one else lives with us.

I am temping as a receptionist so I am going to work until that contract ends and am looking for permanent work, the only other place I go is the supermarket (to wonder around like all the other lost souls looking at the empty shelves).

I know other people whose anxiety has been massively triggered and increased, like my sister. Luckily she already worked freelance and from home, but she has become extremely fearful.

Other people have now become potential carriers and people who could make us ill, and the same is true of us of course, there is the constant fear that we could unknowingly be infecting someone else who could be vulnerable. The hospitals here are now really feeling it but we don’t know how awful it could get. The figures and images coming out of Italy are like nothing else (627 dead in one day yesterday). There is a sickening dread that the same will happen here. We have a government that seems unwilling to take all the steps it could take to protect us. An underfunded health system in which medical staff do not have enough personal protective equipment. And as things at as they are not tested for the illness of they develop symptoms.

The virus is silent, indiscriminate and invisible and we are to an extent powerless. We always were but in this part of the world maybe this is the first time a lot of us have come face to face with the powerlessness.

The economy is falling down around our ears, the speed at which people have lost their livelihoods and businesses have folded shocking, there may be a world recession.

What if food never goes back on the shelves. How have parents of small babies coped with no formula and no nappies Sad?

We are worried for our elderly and vulnerable relatives and for ourselves. I find myself thinking if I am still alive when thinking about life after the pandemic. The one saving grace is that it seems very rare for the 0 - 20 group to be seriously ill or die.

This has shockingly become our new normal. Strangers telling each other to stay safe. It’s fucking frightening.

So I am wondering what it will be like when it is over - whether the stress of all of this will really then engulf us, when we are no longer having to deal with it.

  • [Note from MNHQ: Thread title has been edited at OP's request]
OP posts:
Aposterhasnoname · 21/03/2020 07:49

What if food never goes back on the shelves.

Never going to happen. Food is back on the shelves every day, it’s just idiots are rushing out and buying it all everyday. Sooner or later they’ll run out of space and have to hunker down and start eating it.

The food industry has rock solid business continuity plans in place to keep up supply whatever happens. My company can reduce staff on site from over 100 to just 12 and still keep the supermarkets supplied. Admittedly it will be loose product rather than prepacked, but who cares if your apples aren’t in a bag, or your pineapple doesn’t have a tag on it.

Helpmechangemymindsetplease · 21/03/2020 07:49

I have asked Mumsnet to change the title - not sure that my new title will be much better to be honest!

OP posts:
Helpmechangemymindsetplease · 21/03/2020 07:51

The food industry has rock solid business continuity plans in place to keep up supply whatever happens.

That’s actually really good to know, thank you.

OP posts:
2fingers22018 · 21/03/2020 07:51

I agree OP but i will say one thing i dont think we need to worry about food not being stacked on shelves ever again supermarkets are not going to close and distributors will keep on producing food. The government is already in close talks with the supermarkets as they know basic food is essential not a luxury. Supermarkets remain open in Italy etc. Keep your chin up as another poster said we re all in this together, try to keep your mind busy and focused on practical tasks it always helps me x

Shinyletsbebadguys · 21/03/2020 07:52

I think there will be a rise in Mental health concerns but I also think there will be a spike just as the dust starts to settle , whenever that might be, as people start to face the choices they mad when frightened and anxious.

I also think some relationships with family friends and partners will be affected by the choices made and that will affect in the same way. Some people ar choosing when frightened to spread vitriol and blame, panic buy , put older people at risk. I honestly think many will struggle to face who they became when the chips were down, and there will be others who know them and are horrified at their behaviour and attitude. It's one thing now , but when things calm down an awful lot of people will have to face the consequences of their behaviour and whilst some will be unapologetic, others I believe will struggle with their mental health whilst they do so.

Helpmechangemymindsetplease · 21/03/2020 07:59

Thank you @2fingers22018.

now isolation is the answer not the cause of the current problem this is so true. I rang my 90 year old neighbour because I can’t go to her door, and she said she is lonely. I asked her if she wanted anything from the shops but several times she told me that she is going herself. I did try to tell her not to but I guess she really wants to see people.

OP posts:
Ohtherewearethen · 21/03/2020 08:05

I honestly think many will struggle to face who they became when the chips were down, and there will be others who know them and are horrified at their behaviour and attitude.

This is an excellent point! I have already lost respect for two people I know, it thought I knew, I don't recognise the people they are at the moment and the horrendously selfish way they have behaved. I have thought to myself that I hope they are utterly ashamed of themselves when this is over. I won't look at the same way again though. I know abs they know what they are capable of and so publically too.
My previous post crossed posts with your retraction about using the term PTSD, OP, I don't deliberately comment on things that have already been explained if I've seen them, so apologies for that.

lazylinguist · 21/03/2020 08:06

Food will be on the shelves, OP. Shops are being restocked. Restrictions on buying multiple items will slow the emptying of the shelves. When people see the shelves aren't empty and are being restocked they will stop panic buying.

I also think there's some truth in the 'shared crisis' idea. Fear thrives in secrecy and in the feeling that it's just you that's got the problem. When I did my weekly Aldi shop yesterday, people were noticeably smiling at each other, when the previous week everyone had a kind of hunted look about them. Food stocks were plentiful. There was even toilet roll!

People will gradually find other ways of keeping busy and keeping in touch. Parents will (have to!) engage with their children more. Older kids will gain independence in their learning. Yes, people will die and it will be awful. But we will emerge the other side. And we will have learnt how to deal with a true crisis.

Helpmechangemymindsetplease · 21/03/2020 08:07

No problem at all @Ohtherewearethen Smile.

OP posts:
Helpmechangemymindsetplease · 21/03/2020 08:12

Food will be on the shelves, OP. Shops are being restocked. Restrictions on buying multiple items will slow the emptying of the shelves. When people see the shelves aren't empty and are being restocked they will stop panic buying.

Yes, thank you for being reassuring. Good to know that toilet paper has reappeared somewhere as well Smile.

Regarding the horrible behaviour some people have displayed, I guess to counter balance that there are others who are actively helping where they can and who have set up helping initiatives etc...

OP posts:
ThatBloodySheepAgain · 21/03/2020 08:12

Actually OP, you were correct to use the term PTSD. After Previous pandemics we have seen an increase in those exhibiting PTSD. Higher amongst certain groups (high risk/ vulnerable groups and medical staff) but also higher than normal levels amongst the general public. Even those staying at hone in a nice warm comfortable house.
There will be a lot of trauma work to be done, but that won’t start to hit until a few months in I think.

AlwaysCheddar · 21/03/2020 08:18

PTSD from this vs ptsd from being in combat situations in the army, being shot at and seeing friends blown up. Yabu with the title. YANbU that it will change people and mental health for all will be challenged.

ThatBloodySheepAgain · 21/03/2020 08:23

You don’t just get PTSD amongst those who’ve been in combat situations. It’s actually higher in prevalence amongst those who have been sexually abused than military veterans.
Also @AlwaysCheddar, you don’t get to to tell people if they are not allowed to develop PTSD because their experience wasn’t traumatic enough. I’m afraid it doesn’t work like that.

nicknackpaddy · 21/03/2020 08:26

The food industry has rock solid business continuity plans in place to keep up supply whatever happens

I'm sure they have the plans but we import much of our food and that's not always going to be getting into the country at the moment/for much longer.

ScrapThatThen · 21/03/2020 08:29

I am a mental health professional who treats PTSD and I was researching this last night. There has been an increase in PTSD in China already. OP is correct. I won't add the details as they are distressing and we need to not be exposing ourselves to more things that are unhealthy for us.

Thescrewinthetuna · 21/03/2020 08:31

PTSD is an illness anyone can suffer after any trauma. It doesn’t mean just after wars or battles. Any event can trigger PTSD. So stop telling the OP off about it. You don’t even have to have gone through a scary event to get PTSD.

Monty27 · 21/03/2020 08:31

Totally. I mentioned something about it last night. We're all a bit traumatised. It's unknown territory. Flowers

iano · 21/03/2020 08:32

Anyone can get ptsd if they are in fear of their life. The medics and patients in icu could well develop symptoms.

ThatBloodySheepAgain · 21/03/2020 08:34

@ScrapThatThen, I’m a psychologist, NHS, and I’m doing the same in terms of research and planning for our Business Continuity Plan and Trauma Risk Management.
I give it 2 months before it really hits in terms of trauma work.

AngstyAnnie · 21/03/2020 08:35

No need to change your title OP. If many people in your country don't change their attitude and behaviour towards isolation then the repercussions could indeed induce PTSD.

OlaEliza · 21/03/2020 08:38

There are generations of people who went through world wars and rationing; anyone who can’t cope with this is, to put it bluntly, a snowflake that needs toughening up to live in the real world*

👏👏👏

To think that after this is over a lot of people will suffer an increase in mental health issues?
OlaEliza · 21/03/2020 08:41

My post doesn't refer to those on the front line, just the rest of the general populace.

vegas888 · 21/03/2020 08:42

Yes I have an elderly aunt in a care home, I’m the only relative she has and only visitor she ever has. The home has now stopped all visits so this is heartbreaking. For many there, seeing relatives is the one thing that keeps them going. The thought that she might die alone wondering why I never came to visit again is unbearable.

2fingers22018 · 21/03/2020 08:42

Why are people shooting down the OP for mentioning PTSD look at the bigger picture here people this isnt everyone bundled up in their nice cosy homes watching tv. Some people are home ill with the virus scared and alone in self isolation, others are watching loved ones in hospitals die and front line medical staff are making difficult decisions about who to prioritise in a crisis. You dont think these are traumatic experiences?!

Helpmechangemymindsetplease · 21/03/2020 08:43

Can you get messages to her or write to her @vegas888?

OP posts: