Covid mental health

[Ellsbells12]

Not sure if there is a thread but anyone suffering mentally feel free to get support ❤️

Thanks for starting this thread. I am finding this hellish too. The way things are atm it’s an existence not a life and there’s no end in sight. I feel like all I do is work, housework and food shopping. All the joy has been sucked out of life. Yes some places have reopened but where’s the enjoyment in going to a pub and having to socially distance and being served by people wearing visors, constantly hopping out of the way of others and applying hand sanitiser fanatically.
It’s like a George Orwell novel. Like one of the previous posters, I’m single and finding this very lonely not to mention thinking any chance of meeting someone has dwindled to nothing now. Sorry to be so bleak but it’s nice to know we are not alone in feeling like this.

@BrunetteAli you are not being bleak it is how you feel and lots of people feel the same xx talk on here x

Can I join?

OCD and PTSD pre-COVID. Started self-harming at the start of lockdown. Mask exempt due to my MH issues but not willing to go out without in case I get challenged so still restricted in my day to day life. Had just started to have a few days with friends that felt more "normal", which is now going to be taken away. Facing the prospect of winter with just my young DS and unsupportive DH, not sure how likely it is that I'm going to be able to get through it.

Anxiety is my best friend. Since my son went back to nursery I’ve managed to control it (a bit) via yoga. If nurseries close then I’ll need to give it up.
My mental health at the moment is really bad and only a few things are keeping me sane

Handhold to everyone

Completely agree, so many people are gleeful about lockdown, call it new normal.

New normal is offensive as fuck stop calling it that it isn't normal.

People are suffering and you are calling this sort of think any kind of normal.

Thank you for this thread. I'm really struggling at the moment, I feel like how much more of this can we take?
We had our holiday cancelled in March, then in June and now we've planned a little break away next week there are talks of a lockdown again I seriously can't take anymore what's even the point? 😭

Hell yes - I absolutely reject the phrase "new normal". People behind visors and screens, shying away from each other in the street, scared to be close let alone touch each other. We're not meant to live like this and I can't deal with the idea that this is life now.

@torn2020

Yep the.new normal phrase pissed me off for a while stop normalising it.

I don't want visors masks ect

My mental health is in toilet, but if it isn't covid it doesn't matter it's offensive.

Please can I join this thread as I'm feeling terrible.

Same here. I know theres loads to be grateful for, but I'm starting to struggle again. We are in a local lockdown area which means no socialising with anyone outside of your household. Not too bad for the kids who see friends at school and OH sees work colleagues and sports team. As a SAHM I'm literally expected to see noone. Not supposed to loiter on the school run (dont see friends now anyway due to staggered drop off times). Limited number of baby groups started last week but have to sit 2m apart with a mask on from adult strangers. Cant even go for coffee with a friend. Its shit. Im trying to focus on getting out of the house each day.

I feel so sad to read all this but also relived I am not alone big ❤️ to you all x

Another who hates the phrase new normal. Aargh! We cannot allow this to be 'normal'. I keep thinking that there will be sections of society who will continue to screech for masks to become a permanent fixture every winter. I can't deal with that.

I just feel that whilst of course we should have taken steps to lessen to spread, there are some things that are just completely unfair and unrealistic to expect people to do for longer than we have done already. I'm happy to distance from strangers (and anyone I know who wants to distance), I'm happy to wear masks in public, i don't agree with people having large house parties, I know why Glastonbury couldn't happen, why we can't have crowds at football (although how long can we go on before we destroy so much of what what makes life intrinsically worth living)? But to tell people it's effectively illegal to meet a new partner for example seems completely cruel. There are limits as to what people could reasonably be expected to do and that crosses a line in my opinion.

I hope everyone has a decent day today x

@Ellsbells12 I agree it’s a relief to know I’m not alone feeling like this. Everyone around me appears to just have accepted this life and are just getting on with it.

I’m not part of anyone’s bubble. No one has asked me. Which I can understand as friends have their own families and don’t want to be burdened with me long term. I’m not close with my family so joining them wouldn’t help.

@BrunetteAli
Exactly we are existing not living. I can’t see any future at the moment. There is nothing left to look forward to and no point planning anything as the disappointment of cancelling is worse than having no plans.
I feel like I now need to accept that I won’t meet anyone now. No marriage or kids and that’s so hard.

I’m so scared that friends will get used to us not spending time together and will not want me in their life down the line. (This was already an ongoing issue for me and is something that we cover in counselling but it has definitely escalated.

I also hate masks. I can’t cope wearing them. And Hate seeing people in them. So this is also restricting what I can do as the stress out ways any enjoyment.

At what point will they deem it safe for us to have our life back again.

@runningpink I'll probably get screamed at for saying this on here but you should not be feeling like you can't meet someone and miss the opportunity to have kids. That is not right, to end up making that sacrifice. Do you usually date/use any dating apps?

[quote RainbowParadise]@runningpink I'll probably get screamed at for saying this on here but you should not be feeling like you can't meet someone and miss the opportunity to have kids. That is not right, to end up making that sacrifice. Do you usually date/use any dating apps? [/quote]
I agree ..... you can meet someone on a dating app in the park or something ... where do you live ? If you don't mind asking I would meet you ❤️

Hello can I also join?

So sorry to hear so many feeling like this.

I’m also really starting to struggle again. I am a single parent, 2 primary DC one with SEN and anxiety which leads to aggressive behaviour towards me. No family near by. I’d just got to an OK place re ex leaving ( the usual affair, now new baby on the way). Felt like I’d rebuilt myself and was starting to get a life again.

The thought of possibly not being able to mix households again In finding really hard ( and I know some areas already have to deal with this). I usually go for a long walk with a friend the night my DC go to their dads. Can’t explain but I can bear the thought of this not happening. Not seeing another adult again. The lack of empathy from those in more privileged positions is awful.

Hope others manage to have an OK day today and we all find a way through this.

@runningpink I completely understand and am in the same boat with friends and the way I feel about all of this. Please chat on here so you’re not alone x

@runningpink also feel the same about marriage and children. Something I would dearly love; chances were dwindling before and now I feel even more rotten about living out the rest of my days alone. How lovely it would be to have a nice partner, especially during these times.

@littlestpogo I agree with this so much:

The lack of empathy from those in more privileged positions is awful.

I see it on here all the time, people in that happy marriages and family bubbles who have no empathy. I'm a single parent too and really empathise, and it must be even harder with a child with SEN. My DD who is nearly 8 is being aggressive lately and I've contacted the school for support.

I genuinely don't think it would be morally wrong to continue to see your friend if your friend felt the same. And I don't think it's morally wrong to try to meet someone, as long as it's done with a little more thought and care than life during corona. That's what I've been trying to do anyway.

[quote BrunetteAli]@runningpink also feel the same about marriage and children. Something I would dearly love; chances were dwindling before and now I feel even more rotten about living out the rest of my days alone. How lovely it would be to have a nice partner, especially during these times.[/quote]
@BrunetteAli please please don't give up, I think it's disgusting and selfish from society or any individual to expect you to not try to have those things if that's what you want 💐

I know that sounds extreme but I genuinely think there are things we should be doing to stop the spread whilst understanding that there are limits to what is acceptable to ask people to do.

@RainbowParadise thank you for your kind words. I try to have hope but on bad days I feel very down that this is all there is, particularly now when life is just the drudgery of work, cleaning the house etc with no one to see and not much to do. It’s nice that we can chat and support each other here.

Someone is bound to criticise me @BrunetteAli but I just don't think it's reasonable to expect people to not meet a new partner, or what, go on socially distanced dates and not touch them until... a vaccine maybe?! It's beyond what can be expected.

Anyone in your position should be trying to actually live their life, not just exist. Just be sensible about it 😉

Hello, please can I join? I had a complete breakdown earlier in the year and am having therapy just to keep going. The uncertainty is unbearable, I wish the government would just do their job and get a grip on the situation. My anxiety is crippling me.

Me too. I second what someone said about getting support if you are struggling. I have just started therapy again to help me cope as I am feeling overwhelmed.

I have two people with ASD and one undiagnosed in my house and work on the frontline. I am just hoping that schools manage to stay open for some of this time because juggling work whilst trying to home school and manage the anxiety/needs of others in my home was awful in lockdown.

People can be very judgemental and have no idea what others are going through. I know lots of people who are struggling for many reasons. I hope that this can be a space for everyone to talk about how crap this all is.