Unbearable living like this

[chocolate26]

I'm just wondering if anyone else is finding this situation almost unbearable to live with? I'm 30 weeks pregnant with my first baby and have awful health anxiety and general anxiety which I've lived with all my life and it was bad enough before this coronavirus situation. I just want to escape it all but I need to stay on this planet for my baby, my husband and wonderful family and my two dogs. I just feel stuck in this awful place! It's like a bad dream I can't wake up from 😞 I bake, walk my dogs, do puzzles, adult colouring books, read books, watch tv but nothing is helping. I miss my parents and my sister so much.
I know nothing can change this at the moment and we are all in similar situations, I understand that but I'm just looking for anyone else who's feeling the same as me?

I think a lot of people will be feeling exactly the same, OP, your feelings are completely normal and understandable!

It sounds great that you're being so pro-active and doing lots of things to keep busy/distract yourself. It can be so upsetting when you don't feel any better but remember you're not alone, and this won't last forever.

OP have you had any help with your anxiety?

If you google your area and ‘IAPT’ there’ll be a number you can call to self refer for therapy. It’ll be telephone at the moment but you’ll be seen ASAP due to being pregnant as you bypass the waiting list. I know you’re thirty weeks but you could explain that and probably get a good six weeks in before you have the baby to learn some coping strategies.

I wouldn’t say unbearable but I had a pretty great life before all this (well paid job, lots of international travel, making the most of living in London and all that it has to offer etc etc) and I am pretty keen to get back to it all. I also miss my parents and brother so much. I’m also losing my mind at not being able to go to the gym daily, and I feel fat and bleh as a result of this. My activity levels have definitely dropped off the cliff and one walk/run a day is no substitute.

Buuuuuuut! I know it’s not so helpful to think about it, but people are dying. A 13 year old with no pre-existing health conditions died. That is truly unbearable. My lovely life will probably resume after lockdown and that is what is getting me through right now.

Well it isn't forever is it and it sounds like you are doing lovely things with your time. Just wait it out and then you will be able to carry on as normal. It's probably worse when pregnant as you want your family around.

@CrystalAlligator thank you for the information 😊 I am currently getting help for my anxiety and I have had help since I was 11 on and off, it helps to an extent but I think I'm just in a time of despair at the moment.

My DH has been off work for the last 3 weeks but is returning next week, we live in the south east and he works in London so I'm incredibly scared he will catch it. We have been self isolating apart from essential trips but I feel like my safe bubble will be gone next week.

I feel so sorry for everyone who has lost loved ones! It must be so hard and upsetting.

@RaininSummer yes I think being pregnant is adding to these feelings, I'm very close to my parents and I'm sad they are missing this as it's their first grandchild and they are so excited.

Bless you. It's absolutely crap. Yes I have wobbles. It's lonely. It's scary. It's making most of us anxious. But we are all in it together.

I'm sorry that this has taken over what should be a lovely time for you. I was out and about shopping and had a 4d scan at this stage in pregnancy. Hopefully by the time baby is born you will be able to see family again. You've got to keep thinking to the future. All the things you want to do you will do again. You will have coffee at your mum's while she holds your baby. You will get out and about. We've just got to get past this lockdown. It's not forever. But yes right now it's tough.

Sending you a hug x

@chocolate26 it’s awful. I really feel for you being pregnant in all of this.

I miss my parents and my sister so much too. My parents normally have my 2 year old on the 3 days I work and they are missing him very, very much. We all know how important this is, we really do. But I’m glad to see you’ve had kind responses on this thread because, as a fellow long term anxiety sufferer, I know that telling someone who is struggling how fortunate they really are only adds to their misery. You are allowed to hate this and to say so. It won’t be forever

It wasn't in coronatimes, but I found being pregnant a very anxious time, even though I didn't have anxiety before hand- I didn't know that pre-natal anxiety and depression were a thing. It is not surprising that the time we are living in is triggering these thoughts- I don't have amazing solutions for you, but I just wanted to say that I do sympathise and remember what it was like (and that was pre-corona). Keep going with what works for you, so your normal coping strategies and have faith this time will pass. I would also let your husband know how awful you feel so he can check in with you and make sure you don't sink any lower. I found giving birth actually made things better for me, and I didn't have post-natal depression- but if you are vulnerable, there are a lot of resources out there to help you now. Good luck with it all.