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?

[Kuponut]

I don't really dare go out for fear of coming across some self-appointed distancing-police vigilante the likes of which are all over the internet at the moment - our local FB pages are full of name and shame "I saw a mum with two kids walking a dog - the dog wasn't socially distancing" type twaddle and I really just can't face dealing with that.

It's annoying as before the lockdown announcement we went out as a family at like 7am to the woodland near us (and yes, we drove by car to get there) and walked the dog, let the kids run in the woods and it was like "yep I might be able to do this".

Still waiting to hear if I can defer my uni exams when I can then relax a bit and concentrate on the present and not have to try to revise amid it all - university are NOT being helpful.

[MadamePewter]

@FuckOffCorona I wholeheartedly agree with you and very well put.

I agree that the tenor of the site has been pretty vile. I was hoping oriole would come together over this but quite the opposite.

I too use exercise, getting outside and keeping myself busy as strategies to keep myself mentally well. Being trapped at home without those resources or another adult is very difficult. Forced Isolation is an unnatural state for humans. And people blithely saying, oh, it’s not for long! And stuff like that gets right on my tits.

The hierarchy of physical as against mental health is very clear despite all the campaigns and stupid Facebook shares.

Before anyone yells at me, I am not saying I’m special, nor flouting rules 😉

[MadamePewter]

@Koponut speak to your gp! I rang mine this morning and they were lovely, prescribed what I’d asked for and told me to ring any time if I felt worse. So nice.

I think the fact the announced the lockdown so suddenly freaked me as I had no time to get my head round it or plan so total panic set in.

As an aside, my dog is excellent at enforcing social distancing as she barks madly at other dogs, terrifying anyone into observing wrll more than the prescribed distance 😂

[ViveLEntenteCordiale]

Thank you for starting this thread.

My mental health is very much tied to my physical health, and my physical health is currently poor. It's getting worse and I hit crisis point last night with pain issues because for various reasons I've had no treatment for 6 weeks. There is no help available. I find it very hard knowing that no one cares how much pain I'm in, and that I'll just have to put up with it for however many months the Coronavirus crisis goes on. I know it's terrible and people are dying but I don't know how I will get through the days.

[loobyloo1234]

Sorry to hear that @ViveLEntenteCordiale

Are you able to get the medication you need to help with your pain issues?

I saw the NY mayor do his press conference earlier. He talked in some detail about mental health support being offered there. He gave numbers and explained there were people that were on the end of the phone. Our Government really need to start doing similar. At least give some details of MH support services in this time of uncertainty

[ViveLEntenteCordiale]

Thanks for the support loobyloo, and sorry OP as I appear to have killed your thread

Loobyloo I spoke to the pain clinic last week and they've agreed to up my meds as I'm not getting other treatment. I have a few changes I can make to see what works. It's always a fine line between being awake or being in less pain! I wasn't really expecting a crisis situation though so will probably have to call again for further additions. I know an osteopath would sort me out in a couple of sessions but they've been told not to work. Just makes me feel like I'm worthless and at the bottom of the heap for treatment.

I think I'm going to call my psychiatrist too to increase my ADs and ask for something to help me sleep.

Sorry if I'm not quite in the right place. MH is part of my problem, it's just affecting me in a different way to others. Am trying to support a friend too who is really panicky and afraid to go out because people won't bloody keep their distance.

[MarginalGain]

Thanks OP for starting this thread.

I'm crying several times a day because I can't wrap my head around our new normal and I very much fear that the exit goalposts are going to move around considerably.

I miss my friends terribly. I have a great husband and kids and I am so lucky for this, but we're all squabbling intermittently throughout the day.

I miss my routine, I miss everything.

[Kuponut]

It shows just how much the mental health awareness that's been trumpeted everywhere was just lip service and virtue signalling though.

I'm feeling a bit calmer now my uni tutor's gone through revised assessment plans - if I can get the exam elements deferred to take the pressure off I should be able to remain functional with the rest of the stuff right now. Forcing myself to sit and work in the conservatory to get some sunlight and warmth today in the hope it'll lift mood and calm me down - I can't even get calm enough to do my Headspace which is usually what helps me regulate somewhat.

[Leighhalfpennysthigh]

Can I join you? I'm probably in a better position than a lot of people - got a nice comfortable home and garden and financially ok. However, I've got a terminally ill mother in law who has had the latest round of her chemo cancelled - the one that was giving us hope that she was gong to last a bit longer. An elderly father who is having mental health issues himself because he was in hiding as a child during WWII and a partner who lives 200 miles from me and who I don't know when I'll get to see him. I'm missing him terribly and feeling anxious about the future of our relationship.
I'm trying to work and keep my business going through this.
I can't sleep, my asthma is horrendous and every time I cough I wonder if this is it and the day I get the virus, thus passing it on to the frail elderly people.
Frankly if I have to read another post that starts "at least you haven't got it as bad as....." I'm going to cry.

[LaLaLandIsNoFun]

When it comes to mental illness people are utter twats a bout it. It really is the last disability where it is perfectly acceptable to mock ridicule and discriminate against. I've seen some shocking comments online today calling for those with MH issues to be killed, so as not to allow another incident as tragically happened in Bolton last Mother's Day. I myself have experienced shocking ill treatment and discrimination from children's social service and a complete lack of understanding of MH.

[AtAt123]

I'm bipolar and stable without drugs. It's been HARD. I have been in immunosuppression drugs so need to be mega careful. My sister is my support and as she has two sons with additional needs I am her support. We have been very careful for the last three weeks. All for of our Kids removed from school 3 weeks ago. My husband took leave and is now furloughed.

We haven't seen anybody outside of our family groups ( me, hubby and my kids and her and get kids). We are basically self isolating together but over two houses. I drive the 2miles to hers or she drives to me once a day so our kids can play and she gets a break. She suffered horrendous pnd and her boys have lots of issues and are very high maintenance. We get food delivered to my house and divide it. People would say that we are breaking lock down rules but it's 100% essential to both our mental health. We haven't seen anybody else in weeks but we are doing OK as we have each other.

My heart breaks for people without support at a time like this. I hope you all stay safe

[FuckOffCorona]

I’m so, so sorry to hear of people’s struggles. These are all very real and valid feelings, and it’s absolutely ok if you’re finding that isolation is the worst and scariest part of this whole situation.

You are all in my thoughts today

[Floatyboat]

I think part of the problem is people use the term "mental health" as if it's some great homogenous mass. Nobody says lockdown is bad for their "physical health"; they're more specific. A sore tummy is not the same as stomach cancer and "feeling stressed" is not the same as schizophrenia. And because "feeling stressed" is the more common problem that's what comes to peoples minds when they hear "mental health".

[TabbyMumz]

Have you considered that some of the people you are talking about ( the non decent people) might also be struggling with mental health?