Will there be a mental health crisis following lockdown.

[loza0820]

I personally am struggling. A lot.

I’ve never really had any issues with mental health but these last few weeks my mental health has started to deteriorate.

I’m finding lockdown so hard, but at the same time I fear it being lifted.

I keep thinking what we would’ve been doing this weekend if things were ‘normal’ and I get so upset at the thought of it.

I’m starting to feel like a prisoner. I barely leave the house.

I’m a really social person and I’m struggling not having my usual plans.
Maybe my mental health has always depended on being social, and that’s why I’ve never had an issue with mental health before.

I’m sure there are many many people like myself.

I fear that this period in our lives will result in a major mental health crisis. I fear that now I’m on that downward slope I’ll just keep sliding down 😣

I’ve had mental health issues for years

But now I’m hearing people who’ve never had them are developing them

I think the crisis will be huge.

I agree with those who say there is already a mental health crisis. BUT I think it's also important to acknowledge that this situation is so unusual and puts us so outside our comfort zone that it's bound to be stressful.

The actual lockdown is ok for us, DD is taking home schooling seriously, so far no great financial worries but we're aware that PIL's situation is precarious because of their health and situation and that is worrying. And all the responsibility is on us, DH has no siblings. But we can only control what we can control. I know it's trite but for me just accepting that feeling stressed is a perfectly normal reaction at the moment comforts me.

There already is one. My dd, whose own mental health has deteriorated, is supporting a couple of friends with self harm issues etc. They all really, really need to go back to school. But I realise it’s not safe yet.

I’ve stopped my daily exercise because of this sort of thing -among other stuff

twitter.com/whatalesyou/status/1258863569170464768

I think a lot of us who had coping mechanisms have had them removed.

My dd 16 has had awful anxiety and been under camhs for most of her teen years.
Since the lockdown I have my old teenager back. It’s been wonderful to hear her laughing again. She can see a future again and doesn’t dread every day having to go to school.

I've started to realise I masked my mental health issues with my social life. Iyswim. I was always busy out, doing something, meeting someone if I didn't have plans I'd make some or go to the gym or pop by my best friends house.
I started counselling a few months ago and it only scratched the surface, we are doing the sessions remotely now and it's only now they are feeling like they have purpose and substance, it's hard. I've been crying a lot. I wish I'd had the knowledge, courage and understanding to do this 15 years ago. I'd have saved myself so much time and heartache.

My point OP is please figure out what's behind it and if you can access therapy/counselling do it. I have a private therapist (my second and I'm really happy with this one) it costs me a fair amount but I'm seeing it as an investment. I'd rather have one less night out a week to pay for this and find myself than use the money to go out and hide my loneliness.
A lot of therapists are offering remote sessions from home but I'll be honest I'm glad I really knew my therapist well in person before we started remote sessions.

“ My point OP is please figure out what's behind it”

Being bullied at work is traumatic. Why does there have to be anything behind it?

Sorry, wrong thread! My bad! Apologies.

@LilacTree1 I was so confused there  thinking did I miss a whole bit about workplace bullying

@loza0820 how are you doing?

I think there'll be an upsurge in post natal depression. And a generation of kids are going to have serious problems.

Is anyone still struggling? Since going back to work I've felt really tearful and irritated. I don't think the weather has helped. I've gone through so many emotions the last few months and now I just feel really down. I don't feel like we have anything to look forward to. I'm irritated by everything and everyone. I think I went through panic and uncertainty, missing family to then having free time to do things to bakx to work anxiety and now stress and feeling deflated 😔

I think there will be. Personally I’m suffering from really bad health anxiety at the moment :( not related to having or catching Covid, but I’m on a waiting list for a non urgent operation, but the condition is causing me pain which in turn makes me worry it’s something more serious! I’m really struggling at the moment, and there’s not a lot to do to take my mind off it!

Oh I'm sorry to hear that Meers hopefully you will get a date soon.

I've had severe MH issues for 25 years (have CMHT input, get PIP) but personally I've been feeling much better at the moment. I've been getting out every day, partly out of a determination not to be stuck inside, and walking for miles so as to avoid getting bored going around the same old places. I think the fresh air and exercise has done me good.

I also feel a bit less 'othered', as I've been socially isolated for years (no friends) and have never managed to hold down a job, but now that applies to so many other people, so I feel less down about that (and in fact I'm glad that I've had decades to develop coping mechanisms). I don't feel any anxiety about getting the virus, but anxiety has never been a major issue for me - depression and emotional instability are more significant (which has always tended to be viewed more negatively).

Yes, definitely. Work gives a lot of people structure so being on furlough it made redundant will mean the loss of that.

My DP will be redundant soon and he’s worried that he won’t be able to find a new job. The recruiters are saying they’re expecting it to pick up in September but if it doesn’t, a lot of people will be out of work and I think the lack of structure and money worries will create a mental health crisis.

furrypesto thankyou for saying that.

I wasn't finding it too bad at first ( already on anti-depressants) as I felt some of the pressure of daily life had eased like sorting school uniforms, stressful commute etc was eased by being locked down. the past few weeks I have felt worse. The whole of last summer was rather wiped out by having building work done and now we have a nice space to entertain/ have afternoon tea or BBQ we can't have anyone round. My teenage kids just seem to have retreated to their rooms and job prospects/ career plans for them look bleak. I feel depressed over worries of mine and dh's jobs being unsafe and all of our kids lacking career prospects in the next few years. There's also the guilt of elderly dad being on his own and not seeing anyone for three months. I know we are lucky to be safe and have enough money / food etc but my mood is low. Dh is shielding and all the shopping etc is falling to me and there is a serious spike of cases in our town which means I am fearful each time I step out of the door.

Babyroobs I can relate to that. Since I've gone back to work I feel worse as it feels like things should be back to normal but it's not. And now there is no work/life balance as most things are shut or long waits. Can't see friends or family at the weekend especially due to change of weather. Was hoping my mum could visit in the garden but now can't because it's too wet.

My holiday looks uncertain, my 40th birthday plans are non existant. I think dh and I are also sick of each others company now after so long irritations are setting in. Kids are just stuck in their room and home schooling just basically isn't happening. There doesn't seem an end sight.

I had a MH care plan which had things like swimming on it which of course now has stopped. Routine changed due to DCs at home etc. I'm on meds which help a but, after being off for nearly a year. I do not want to see the CMHT in case they want to come here to the home or want me to come in to their base which is at the hospital and unpleasant anyway, with strange self locking doors and things. It all scares me. the GPs seems a distant planet away too. I do have a number to ring 8-8 for the psych nurses though but hope not to use it.

Theres a big difference between mental health problems and a reaction to the lockdown and the consequences, economic and personal of it. A lot of people will suffer financial hardship.

People I know personally with MH illnesses have been fine. A sibling who is big polar feels better in fact, the supports have stayed in place where I live. He said the world has aligned to his state of mind. Friends will long term anxiety have expressed relief at social pressure being lifted. I know people who have thrived in lockdown, having a much needed break from work et. That is their experience.

If funding to MH services is cut yes it will constitute a crisis but I dont think feeling down or worried constitutes a crisis. It's a normal reaction to a huge event.

Yes I think there will be. I think it's already showing itself in ways already.

In fact, people keep dwelling on the educational issues children will undoubtedly face on their return to normal school days.

I think a bigger issue is their mental health.
My DD is 13 and has never really refused to go to school, she was bullied at one so we moved her. But now she has voiced she won't go back at all. She is scared she will catch the virus. She thinks she will give it to others. She said she doesn't care about seeing people as she wants to be alone.

As a result we asked school if she could come in with Keyworker kids, and they agreed (I can't fault them actually). She lasted an hour the day she went in, she was a mess.

I've heard of other kids whose year groups are in the staggered return year groups who have refused to go in and have been extremely upset.

I think the covid hangover will be felt for quite some time by many in different ways.

I think CBT could work well for some children (and adults) perhaps with those worries.

Lady - It's very hard for all teenagers. My dd went back to school for one morning this week but it resembled nothing like ' normal school'. She was with a bunch of children she doesn't know and no-one spoke to her, she had unfamiliar teachers and no time to socialise with others etc, school looks a very different place to normal which will unsettle a lot of children. If you have a teenager with anxiety issues, it's going to be extra hard to cope with all the new rules and unfamiliar schooling.

Definitely.

I'm a mental health nurse, referrals to our service slowed down considerably straight after lockdown and are only starting to pick up recently, so there will be a backlog.

And that's not counting the effect of coronavirus and/or lockdown. A high increase in anxiety, (health anxiety, OCD, anxiety about money and work), depression (especially after being ill yourself or losing loved ones), the stress of managing children not in school. And I reckon a lot of survivors of coronavirus are likely to present with PTSD.

I'm dreading the next few months at work.