CV shows that a lot of people really don’t understand mental illness

[FuckOffCorona]

I have seen so many sneering, condescending and ignorant posts from people who don’t believe or accept the reality of living with mental illness, and who are oblivious to the very serious dangers self isolation and / or lockdown can pose to those who suffer from mental ill health.

At least two threads have popped up in the last hour about exercising outdoors, with multiple posters expressing disingenuous shock at the idea that someone would need to exercise outside. But I am not exaggerating when I say that running has saved my life, because before I started using running as a form of meditation and physical therapy, I tried to kill myself twice.

The government recognised the importance of exercise. They have specifically allowed it to take place. So why do posters on here feel like they have the right to be so supercilious about those who will be exercising outside?

I have seen similar cruelty directed towards posters concerned about the effect isolation will have on their depression or anxiety. Those people don’t have the luxury of seeing friends, but any attempt to express this concern is met by a deluge of posters calling them selfish for feeling worried, even when they have no intention of breaking the rules.

This pandemic has brought out the very worst of mumsnet, and I have been so disappointed in the tenor of this site. But even so, is it too much to ask that people at least attempt to understand that for some people, mental illness is as much of a threat to life as the virus itself, and a little compassion would go a long way?

[gnomeHome]

My "anger" on the threads where people are discussing going out is because every time people try to skew the rules - the gov just implements tighter measures.

I think this is exactly the reason Boris has said you can leave the house once for one form of exercise. To protect the people who need it for their mental health. I can completely understand that.

But people try to shoehorn this in to taking the whole family out in the car, driving some distance, and going for a walk. And then if everyone does this, it looks like the lockdown isn’t effective. The number of cars out on the road are higher than they normally would be on a Wednesday afternoon. The congestion gets in the way of ambulances and delivery drivers. People want to make it feel like a daytrip, and even if it isn’t, that’s exactly what it looks like.

Next thing you know there are stricter measures like on the continent.

Op, go for your runs. I personally always exercised in the gym, so I’m just doing it in the house. I’m a homebird. It doesn’t bother me.

If everyone would just be sensible and follow the spirit of the law, stay home, keep to yourself, then we’d all be fine. People could jog early in the mornings, late at night etc. My biggest fear is that people can’t do that.

[TheOwlandThe]

I'm glad I've found this thread

For me I've always teetered on the brink of depression. I had a bad patch a couple of years ago and pulled myself out, i feel like finally this year I'm actually doing okay. But I always feel I tread a fine line and it's lurking under the surface. I work hard to keep myself above the water

Part of this is distractions- meals out/pub/seeing friends. Looking forward to summer - holidays/concerts etc. A massive part is routine, getting out of the house everyday. Also excercise

I am so scared of where I'm going to end up confined in the house for months on end. This time is normally pretty much the trough and I start to pick up over summer, the prospect of not picking up scares me. I'm scare of what I could do to myself.

I'm also scared that I'm going to have to admit to my family that I have mental health problems, and tbh admit to myself that I'm not really doing as well as I thought

Sorry for everyone on this thread who hasbbeen struggling

[WellAintThatAShitbiscuit]

I'm struggling too (I'm not in isolation as I work in nhs so will be going to work) as have had mental health problems for years.

My fiance had major life saving surgery 6 weeks ago and my family have come over regularly to support us, they won't be able to now.

I'm scared I'll bring the virus home and infect my partner, I'm scared I'll have no support with his care and recovery and I'm scared of all the people ill have contact with at work. My mood is very low.

Hugs to everyone else struggling and finding this hard.

[loobyloo1234]

Hope everyone that posted here last night feels ok. The sun is shining. That’s one positive. Let’s try and get out for our one bit of exercise today even if it’s in our back gardens. Healthy body, healthy mind and all that

[user1353245678533567]

Thank you for such kindness.

to everybody struggling.

[OldQueen1969]

Hope that works - haven't done emojis much on here .... if I've done it wrong apologies I'm rubbish at tech....

But just wanted to add my support for those struggling. It's so hard for everyone, and I wish you all well xxx

[PregnantCat]

I understand how you feel. I was ready for and working towards this being the best year of my life - I’ve overcome two suicide attempts, am a much stronger person than ever, really enjoying and progressing in my career, getting married and expecting baby. I’m SO worried about how this time will affect my mental health. Like you I used to really rely on running but had to stop quite early on in pregnancy. I’m naturally a bit of a busy body and hate being cooped up. Can’t see my family. Terrible anxiety about husband dying as he is a nurse. It’s just awful.

[Onedaymyluckwillchange]

Sorry you are feeling like this OP. I guess we just have to try and get some perspective in that this virus won't be around forever, despite all the scare stories we are seeing. I also believe there will actually become a point whereby society will have to return and let the virus run its course. It's about the NHS and being able to cope as much as possible and saving as many lives as possible.... but no one can live like this for months on end, there will be far bigger consequences than the virus.

[Oakmaiden]

I have to say, I am getting a little bit irritated by the people who think the Govt's rules aren't stringent enough and use that as an excuse for berating people following those rules.

ie You shouldn't be out running at all. You shouldn't go to work on public transport unless you work for the NHS etc...

People making up the rules isn't helping.

[Jourdain11]

I'm so sorry that this has been a struggle. I hope you're all holding up okay. It is a rough time and yeah, a little kindness really does cost nothing. Of course we must be responsible, but it doesn't mean it is always easy!

[thenightsky]

This thread is like a little haven of decent people

Marking myself a place among the kind people. My anxiety is through the roof right now. Adult DS is living with us now thank god. He gets agoraphobic and descends into depression with suicidal ideas if left alone. I've been getting him into running over the last two years, which has made a huge difference.

[hamstersarse]

These measures are catastrophic for mental health. Pressure piling up - social and financial, never mind the absolute uncontrollable fear stirred up by the media —and mumsnet—

I’d switch off the news and take it a day at a time or even an hour at a time.

When it’s all over, I think we will regret these actions when we see the impact the measures have had on all our lives

[hamstersarse]

You shouldn't be out running at all

Not true

[Pishposhpashy]

Yanbu. There are some complete arseholes on here at the moment using this crisis as an excuse to be unkind.

[Pishposhpashy]

You shouldn't be out running at all

Erm no, government guidelines clearly say exercise outdoors is allowed, provided social distancing is maintained. Can you show me where they say otherwise?

[rc22]

I went for a walk this morning in the streets around my house. It's a fairly quiet residential area so managed to cross the road or change direction long before I came anywhere close to two metres to anyone. As far as I understand it, I haven't done anything to flaunt the rules.

I think what's hard for me is that when I have had mental health difficulties in the past I have always reached a point where I have felt like I could take positive steps towards recovery and getting back to 'normal'. In this situation, normal is gone and there is nothing I can do to get it back. I have decided the best way for me to cope is to take it a day at a time. Lots of people are focusing on the end of this but I don't think I can as we just don't know when the end will happen.

[NeutralJanet]

When it’s all over, I think we will regret these actions when we see the impact the measures have had on all our lives

What's the alternative though, if the government didn't take this action then the NHS will be up shit creek very shortly judging by the people who couldn't follow social distancing rules and flooded to the parks and beaches at the weekend.

[BeijingBikini]

I agree. My mental health is definitely suffering and the 1 exercise a day is a total saviour - I can get out and about into some fields and enjoy nature. Some people are being total sanctimonious arseholes.

I've read comments like "mental health? Well your mental health will suffer a lot more if a grandparent died". Well, no, it wouldn't because I hardly ever see some of them and they are very old, death is just what happens to everyone in the end. I've had grandparents die and it's sad but it's life. It would be horrific if it was my husband or parents but that is very unlikely. Whereas being cooped up indoors with nothing to do for months on end can wreak havoc on your mental health for a long time after that. There will be a lot of MH services needed after this is over.

We can't all WFH productively - I can't concentrate or have any motivation from home, and never have. WFH has always been a "day off" and now there's no work anyway. Some of us thrive on being in the office, seeing people and having the daily routine of going somewhere. So all the people boasting about how THEY are so good because they've managed to stay indoors for 3 weeks and everyone else is a selfish murderer, have no fucking clue.

[Goawayquickly]

Nobody has said you shouldn’t be out running at all, read the context

ie You shouldn't be out running at all. You shouldn't go to work on public transport unless you work for the NHS etc...

People making up the rules isn't helping.

I fear for my daughter, she’s worked hard to overcome her issues,.

[Pishposhpashy]

I've read comments like "mental health? Well your mental health will suffer a lot more if a grandparent died". Well, no, it wouldn't

It sounds awful but honestly I'm with you there. I barely know my grandparents.

[starsparkle08]

I’m struggling massively too and my suicidal thoughts have increased a lot . It’s all I can think about at the moment . Caring for my son whom has autism adhd and learning difficulties is adding further strain as he has very complex needs and we have lost all our support .
I feel that I’m very close to acting on my suicidal thoughts

[mindproject]

A short bike ride every day keeps me feeling like life is worth it. I don't touch anything, I don't go near anyone. There is no risk of me catching anything or passing anything on, but the benefit to me is considerable. I'm not going to stop.

[SimonJT]

It is really hard.

Exercise is a huge help in managing my depression, it also helps me control an eating disorder to the extent that it enabled me to be discharged from the ED service.

I had to have a fairly frank conversation with my boyfriend last night about what could potentially happen to me.

[TabbyStar]

Sorry and to everyone here struggling. I think this has brought out the worst in some people, attitudes to vulnerable older people and the self- employed have shown a complete lack of compassion too. Some people seem to lack the ability to understand you can hold two thoughts at the same time, you can understand why it's necessary and at the same time find it difficult or impossible to cope. It's nice to have a supportive thread and not to engage with the people who refuse to understand.

[Squidsister]

I was thinking about this today that this is going to have such a negative effect on people’s mental health. I am generally quite a positive upbeat person and don’t suffer depression. The last week has been so hard, I have cried, snapped at the kids, been sleepless with worry. Being cooped up with everyone for months on end will be so hard.... I just can’t imagine what that would be like for those with mental health issues. If you need a run, go running. As long as you avoid anyone everyone else.