Repetitive thinking about children at risk at home if schools close due to covid.

[AIMD]

Not sure where to post this and I though the mental health board might be the best place or might offer the best advice or insights.

During the first covid lockdown period I read in several places about an increase in child abuse as a result of the 1st national lockdown. I Read in several different places about different types of abuse increasing and different organisations who noticed an increase in abuse. Anyway at the time I found that I kept thinking about it...and thinking about how while my children were at home having fun other children were at home scared or being hurt. For weeks I thought about it a lot. However that gradually faded as my life went back to normal with work and my kids going to school in autumn and early winter.

However now that the closure of schools is in the news and being discussed a lot, I find I am thinking about it a lot again. I’m finding I’m a bit obsessive (sorry if I’m using that term incorrectly) and struggling to stop thinking about it and feeling upset about it.

Just wanted peoples thoughts or advice. I haven’t experienced anything similar before, although I have had depression and have anxiety at times. How do I stop myself from focusing on it so much?

Just to add this is not a post to discuss about if schools will/should close, but about obsessive/repetitive thinking linked to and:or triggered by all the loxkdown/school closure/covid stuff.

So, you've got intrusive thoughts around this? Personally, I rationalise and put into perspective.

At any time, irrespective of COVID, throughout the world there are millions of children out of school. Many suffer neglect or abuse. Many are forcibly married and raped. There are horrors upon horrors being inflicted on children every day worldwide. You can either try to do something about it or you can ignore it, but simply feeling bad for them while not taking any action to help is useless and self-indulgent.

(Sorry if that sounds harsh, I do mean it to be helpful, honest!)

These obtrusive thoughts are likely to be as a result of your underlying anxiety. As with all obtrusive thoughts, don't try to push them away or suppress them. Also try not to respond with negative emotions when you have them. Acknowledge the thought neutrally for what it is - a manifestation of anxiety. It might even help to have a phrase you say to yourself when the thoughts arise. I have experienced obtrusive anxiety thoughts and I would say "thank you brain for trying to help me but I'm safe right now". I also found some mindful grounding practices quite useful too - washing my hands, smelling my kids heads, massaging my hands or feet with scented moisturiser all to bring me into the moment and out of my head.

If all else fails seek advice from your GP.

@TopBants I appreciate the reply and don’t find it harsh. Of course I realise that thinking about how bad it is doesn’t actually help anyone...that doesn’t stop me thinking about it though. Also I don’t think it’s ‘self indulgent’ because it’s not something I want to think or something I can control.

I think rationalising and putting into perspective is a useful idea.

Yes the thoughts are intrusive, if that means they pop in my head all the time?

I’m not sure thinking about how bad it is despite covid would help to be honest....just reading what you wrote made me feel more anxious.

I actually used to work in child protection and I think that has partly played in to how I am thinking. Thinking about situations/children I used to work with and how much more difficult and har sit would have been if they had been out of school for a long time (though I know that’s not hugely relevant as vulnerable children could still attend school). I also still work with families so it’s not like I’m not actively doing anything....but I think that makes it worse not better as I have thinks like NSPCC emails with their latest reports about the impact of covid coming through for me to read etc. Just feeds it .

I’m hoping it’ll pass like before.

@Daydrambeliever those are great ideas thank you. I actually have done grounding stuff with my son but didn’t think to do it for myself. It’s interesting about not trying to suppress them too because that’s what I have been doing...trying to focus on other things or force myself to think other things.

By trying to suppress them you are increasing the anxiety hormones that are likely to be causing them in the first place. Let them come, the trick then is then to try to not attach negative emotions to them, which is REALLY difficult, but can totally be done. The thing is your thoughts aren't unreasonable, child abuse is a horrific topic and it is totally normal to be upset by it but you have recognised that it's affecting you differently. So maybe send the NSPCC emails and updates into the junk folder for now. Giving yourself a news/social media break might also help until you feel more mentally healthy.