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Mental health and CoVid-19

Beasty

Based on a suggestion by a poster I am starting a thread where we can share information and resources on mental health issues particularly given the stressful situations many people are finding themselves in. This virus will have adverse impacts not only on those it affects directly, but their loved ones, colleagues and friends. There will be a significant economic impact and many people will find themselves with money problems. There are also practical day to day things that people will have concerns over

This is not to discuss individual cases. It is for general discussion of mental health issues. While you can share your personal experiences, please do not request or offer specific advice on individual circumstances. I will sticky this thread

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Graces7

nigeldaniel wrote: »

As a few others have posted, reaching out to a professional counsellor or mindfulness coach can be a big help. I have had a tricky ol time this last 6 weeks but am just starting to turn a corner. Having a mood disorder [Bipolar] can really knock a person off their feet. I made a compleat hash of things after lockdown ended a few weeks back and spent like a silly fool now after taking stock I hope I can get myself back on my feet without hitting a bad downward patch. In the past, I would have started drinking and gone into a spiral that would end up with depression but thanks to awareness and previous counselling I can better look after myself. Keep well everyone who may be reading this and take care of yourself

I came back to say that folk need to allow time for themselves to get used to the situation and allow their inner strength, which we all have, to rise.

And here you are saying just that!

Great, It does take time to assimilate problems and new situations.

And that taking time is healthy and normal rather than being a mental health issue. It would be more worrying an unhealthy and unrealistic to be fine with all that is happening and have no reaction.

Allow yourself to hurt and find things tough. It is normal and natural. And allow yourself then slowly to start rebuilding, finding small pleasures

I have had to make huge adjustments in the past to living with this illness and the way it robbed me of all my ambitions, my career . everything.

And this bad time IS limited. covid is not the end of it all. A huge change for folk, yes, A loss , yes. But not the end. These things will pass.

The_Brood

Tpcl20 wrote: »

Probably tmi to post this so delete if inappropriate but I can really see the wall people who commit suicide hit these days. I won't do it like because of the people I would be leaving in the lurch but the actual physical pain from this emotional anguish gets incredibly hard to bear and in terms of my own life. I actually get no joy from anything anymore. Basically from the waking moment the anxiety sets in and I can't get to sleep at night because it feels like the walls are closing in around me. I'm tired all the time and I'm worried constantly. Up until this year I had no mental health issues and was absolutely full of the joys of life. I'm probably fairly weak to say that this has taken such a toll on me so quickly but with no light at the end of the tunnel I'm just coping very badly and feel completely alone. I can't tell anyone belong to me because I know that they have their own stuff to deal with and it would be too much for them. I also feel bad posting it here or thinking about telling a counsellor because everyone is in the same boat. Hope everyone is doing alright.

I think there are way, way, way more people feeling like this than many would suspect, yet there is almost no government support provided and the news media ignores it entirely.

nigeldaniel

As a few others have posted, reaching out to a professional counsellor or mindfulness coach can be a big help. I have had a tricky ol time this last 6 weeks but am just starting to turn a corner. Having a mood disorder [Bipolar] can really knock a person off their feet. I made a compleat hash of things after lockdown ended a few weeks back and spent like a silly fool now after taking stock I hope I can get myself back on my feet without hitting a bad downward patch. In the past, I would have started drinking and gone into a spiral that would end up with depression but thanks to awareness and previous counselling I can better look after myself. Keep well everyone who may be reading this and take care of yourself

Tchaikovsky

Tpcl20 wrote: »

That must be very difficult. I hope there are people you can turn to with these anxieties and that you have ways of coping during periods of depression.

Thanks for your kind advice. I was going to try the text counselling service because there's a level of anonymity to that and hopefully a level of detachment for the counsellors too. Although I've heard they're paid minimum wage and don't get any counselling for free themselves.

I found the Aware email support was very helpful when I was struggling badly and living abroad, OP. Might be worth a try if you don't want to talk on the phone. Take care of yourself.

[Deleted User]

Tpcl20 wrote: »

I'm probably fairly weak to say that this has taken such a toll on me so quickly but with no light at the end of the tunnel I'm just coping very badly and feel completely alone. I can't tell anyone belong to me because I know that they have their own stuff to deal with and it would be too much for them. I also feel bad posting it here or thinking about telling a counsellor because everyone is in the same boat. Hope everyone is doing alright.

You aren't weak. It takes courage to admit to ourselves that we are struggling and even more to ask for help. We are living through something unnatural and for most of us that involves flailing about and trying to find our feet. Your feelings are valid and aren't to be dismissed because others are also having a hard time. In fact some are doing just fine.

I've a feeling you tend not to put yourself first. Ask yourself what you would say to a good friend if they told you they were struggling, how would you treat them. I'm guessing with kindness and understanding. That's what you must show yourself. Please do get counselling.
Try not to worry about what therapists are paid or their own means to source help. Your concern needs to be with yourself now.

There are lots of clinics in the country with highly qualified and accredited therapists offering face to face and online support. Some of these will have reduced fees. You can also look on https://iahip.org. however if I were you I would just Google "accredited therapists in my area".

The best of luck.

Graces7

Sardonicat wrote: »

I just noticed a glaring typo on my reply to you, which I've now fixed, but to stress you are NOT weak or selfish.

If you mean the text service from HSE, I've used it and my own experience wasn't very positive. It felt like they were just typing out open ended platitudes. Others may have a different, more positive experience. There are anonymous numbers you could try calling, I know they are stickied on the Personal Issues forum. I think a human voice and a kind ear would be good for you. Please dont feel bad about letting someone in your family know you are struggling.

When I was going through terrible times in the UK the Samaritans were a literal lifeline.

Sardonicat

Tpcl20 wrote: »

That must be very difficult. I hope there are people you can turn to with these anxieties and that you have ways of coping during periods of depression.

Thanks for your kind advice. I was going to try the text counselling service because there's a level of anonymity to that and hopefully a level of detachment for the counsellors too. Although I've heard they're paid minimum wage and don't get any counselling for free themselves.

I just noticed a glaring typo on my reply to you, which I've now fixed, but to stress you are NOT weak or selfish.

If you mean the text service from HSE, I've used it and my own experience wasn't very positive. It felt like they were just typing out open ended platitudes. Others may have a different, more positive experience. There are anonymous numbers you could try calling, I know they are stickied on the Personal Issues forum. I think a human voice and a kind ear would be good for you. Please dont feel bad about letting someone in your family know you are struggling.

eigrod

Tpcl20 wrote: »

That must be very difficult. I hope there are people you can turn to with these anxieties and that you have ways of coping during periods of depression.

Thanks for your kind advice. I was going to try the text counselling service because there's a level of anonymity to that and hopefully a level of detachment for the counsellors too. Although I've heard they're paid minimum wage and don't get any counselling for free themselves.

If you can afford it, I would reach out to a professional counsellor in your area. Probably €60 to €80 per session. They will give you the tools you will be able to use yourself over time (CBT & Mindfulness). Much of what they will give you is free on youtube or elsewhere. It won’t be an easy road - you will need patience & commitment but you definitely can do it - you will continue to have difficult periods but will get the skills to deal with those.

Tpcl20

Sardonicat wrote: »

I'm a lifetime sufferer of anxiety and depression and truthfully, I'm really struggling now too.

That must be very difficult. I hope there are people you can turn to with these anxieties and that you have ways of coping during periods of depression.

Thanks for your kind advice. I was going to try the text counselling service because there's a level of anonymity to that and hopefully a level of detachment for the counsellors too. Although I've heard they're paid minimum wage and don't get any counselling for free themselves.

Sardonicat

Tpcl20 wrote: »

Probably tmi to post this so delete if inappropriate but I can really see the wall people who commit suicide hit these days. I won't do it like because of the people I would be leaving in the lurch but the actual physical pain from this emotional anguish gets incredibly hard to bear and in terms of my own life. I actually get no joy from anything anymore. Basically from the waking moment the anxiety sets in and I can't get to sleep at night because it feels like the walls are closing in around me. I'm tired all the time and I'm worried constantly. Up until this year I had no mental health issues and was absolutely full of the joys of life. I'm probably fairly weak to say that this has taken such a toll on me so quickly but with no light at the end of the tunnel I'm just coping very badly and feel completely alone. I can't tell anyone belong to me because I know that they have their own stuff to deal with and it would be too much for them. I also feel bad posting it here or thinking about telling a counsellor because everyone is in the same boat. Hope everyone is doing alright.

Please talk to someone. You are not weak or selfish. You ste human. These are incredibly difficult times.The news over the last few days has ramped up the anxiety and coupled with it being Christmas just makes it so, so much worse. I'm a lifetime sufferer of anxiety and depression and truthfully, I'm really struggling now too. I know how much I can take, though,having a history of this. This is new to you, please reach out to someone and disclose how you are feeling and get some support. There is no weakness or guilt attached to it.

Tpcl20

Probably tmi to post this so delete if inappropriate but I can really see the wall people who commit suicide hit these days. I won't do it like because of the people I would be leaving in the lurch but the actual physical pain from this emotional anguish gets incredibly hard to bear and in terms of my own life. I actually get no joy from anything anymore. Basically from the waking moment the anxiety sets in and I can't get to sleep at night because it feels like the walls are closing in around me. I'm tired all the time and I'm worried constantly. Up until this year I had no mental health issues and was absolutely full of the joys of life. I'm probably fairly weak to say that this has taken such a toll on me so quickly but with no light at the end of the tunnel I'm just coping very badly and feel completely alone. I can't tell anyone belong to me because I know that they have their own stuff to deal with and it would be too much for them. I also feel bad posting it here or thinking about telling a counsellor because everyone is in the same boat. Hope everyone is doing alright.

is_that_so

Article from BBC on Cognitive Load Theory, which I'd never heard of, but it does explain some of the challenges we've seen with COVID.

Cognitive Load Theory provides a useful framework for understanding the different ways the pandemic could be playing havoc with your mental function.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20201103-cognitive-load-theory-explaining-our-fight-for-focus

wadacrack

Personally feel much better now that news about a vaccine is out. Hopefully I am not being overly optimistic and caution still important but every expert in the scientific community has admitted it is a breakthrough. Summer 2021 could be a very good time. People after this may appreciate certain aspects of their life we all took for granted.

speckle

Beholders wrote: »

Yep I understand what you are saying, my medium to express myself is through film, but I love music and sound (it makes so much sense in my projects) if you or anyone is interested in collaborating, after all we our all in the same fields just looking at different aspects of that field. Any way I would love to collaborate. DM me, I mean that to the theatre posts as well, artist need to come up with projects that make sense of who they our as artists. Hopefully the internet will allows to do that, even more than we have done in the past. I'm open to suggestion.

Thankyou for your offer, will defenitely pm. Iam thinking also, just to say to anyone feeling stressed from the present situation, maybe trying out an artform for the first time on the privacy of your home, might be an idea... Hope to starr a thread here next week re above.. just have to help one of my elder relatives out... then I can have a breather and play some music.. probably only to the birds in the back garden..

Beholders

speckle wrote: »

I am in a similiar boat. Understand those feelings. I put my music on hold earlier in the year and volunteered to take my mind off it. During the summer while out eating outside I nearly cried hearing a busker play for the first time. However, as no one else sitting beside by I sang along. It was a great feeling. As I have stopped volunteering now,I have decided to put myself first including my music. I missed out on partaking in a music masters course this year as I am high risk. I know many more musicians and the other allied careers are high risk also. And especially those living alone cant even jam at the moment in person or even have an audience of one indoors esoecially in winter. Online is a poor subsitute.

So what can we do. Thinking of maybe starting my first thread on boards for musicians during these times. Not sure to put it in the covid or music forum? Any thoughts on which? It could be a place for ideas of how best to deal with a bad situation and inspire each other. I think it is time for those involved in music in this country to come together to find solutions and not wait on others. Have been trying my best to collect information and maybe others and we can pool resources?
edit. ps I did cry when hearing live music for the first time in months

Yep I understand what you are saying, my medium to express myself is through film, but I love music and sound (it makes so much sense in my projects) if you or anyone is interested in collaborating, after all we our all in the same fields just looking at different aspects of that field. Any way I would love to collaborate. DM me, I mean that to the theatre posts as well, artist need to come up with projects that make sense of who they our as artists. Hopefully the internet will allows to do that, even more than we have done in the past. I'm open to suggestion.

speckle

fin12 wrote: »

I know the cork opera house this year are live streaming their Christmas concert, I think most years it’s very hard to get tickets but that won’t be an issue this year. Im going to buy a ticket see what it’s like.

I used to work in theatre and really enjoyed that time of year. If only I had decent internet I would do the same. Try and connect the computer to the tv ,turn the lights down low and the sound up. Turn on the tree lights and light the fire and have some nibbles handy. Make it a night to remember. Enjoy.

fin12

speckle wrote: »

I am in a similiar boat. Understand those feelings. I put my music on hold earlier in the year and volunteered to take my mind off it. During the summer while out eating outside I nearly cried hearing a busker play for the first time. However, as no one else sitting beside by I sang along. It was a great feeling. As I have stopped volunteering now,I have decided to put myself first including my music. I missed out on partaking in a music masters course this year as I am high risk. I know many more musicians and the other allied careers are high risk also. And especially those living alone cant even jam at the moment in person or even have an audience of one indoors esoecially in winter. Online is a poor subsitute.

So what can we do. Thinking of maybe starting my first thread on boards for musicians during these times. Not sure to put it in the covid or music forum? Any thoughts on which? It could be a place for ideas of how best to deal with a bad situation and inspire each other. I think it is time for those involved in music in this country to come together to find solutions and not wait on others. Have been trying my best to collect information and maybe others and we can pool resources?
edit. ps I did cry when hearing live music for the first time in months

I know the cork opera house this year are live streaming their Christmas concert, I think most years it’s very hard to get tickets but that won’t be an issue this year. Im going to buy a ticket see what it’s like.

growleaves

speckle wrote: »

I am in a similiar boat. Understand those feelings. I put my music on hold earlier in the year and volunteered to take my mind off it. During the summer while out eating outside I nearly cried hearing a busker play for the first time. However, as no one else sitting beside by I sang along. It was a great feeling. As I have stopped volunteering now,I have decided to put myself first including my music. I missed out on partaking in a music masters course this year as I am high risk. I know many more musicians and the other allied careers are high risk also. And especially those living alone cant even jam at the moment in person or even have an audience of one indoors esoecially in winter. Online is a poor subsitute.

So what can we do. Thinking of maybe starting my first thread on boards for musicians during these times. Not sure to put it in the covid or music forum? Any thoughts on which? It could be a place for ideas of how best to deal with a bad situation and inspire each other. I think it is time for those involved in music in this country to come together to find solutions and not wait on others. Have been trying my best to collect information and maybe others and we can pool resources?
edit. ps I did cry when hearing live music for the first time in months

Put it in the music forum, where there will be less chance of encountering hostility to the performing arts (rooted in unproven gibberish 'science').

speckle

Herb Powell wrote: »

My life and that of most of my friends, is completely upside down at the moment. I've heavily involved in music for years as soon as I was able (playing, recording, attending, organising), and that's just gone indefinitely. Socialising normally is out the window too.

They're not essential on the level of eating etc but it's a MASSIVE difference to life if this is what was normal to you before. I'm not complaining mind, everyone is losing something at the moment and tbh I think I'm handling it fine. But it is fairly unrecognisable at the moment to be quite honest.

I am in a similiar boat. Understand those feelings. I put my music on hold earlier in the year and volunteered to take my mind off it. During the summer while out eating outside I nearly cried hearing a busker play for the first time. However, as no one else sitting beside by I sang along. It was a great feeling. As I have stopped volunteering now,I have decided to put myself first including my music. I missed out on partaking in a music masters course this year as I am high risk. I know many more musicians and the other allied careers are high risk also. And especially those living alone cant even jam at the moment in person or even have an audience of one indoors esoecially in winter. Online is a poor subsitute.

So what can we do. Thinking of maybe starting my first thread on boards for musicians during these times. Not sure to put it in the covid or music forum? Any thoughts on which? It could be a place for ideas of how best to deal with a bad situation and inspire each other. I think it is time for those involved in music in this country to come together to find solutions and not wait on others. Have been trying my best to collect information and maybe others and we can pool resources?
edit. ps I did cry when hearing live music for the first time in months

Lockheed

I'm genuinely loving being at home all the time. I'm a complete introvert and being laid off and not having to commute to college/sit in lectures all day is a huge blessing. I spend more time on my hobbies and with my family. Overall after a bad bout of low mood being in lockdown has been so good for my mental health.

eigrod

It’s a lovely time of the year to get out - lovely fresh, cold air to breathe in, beautiful colours, leaves blowing all about you - great for the head.

nigeldaniel

With the storm season starting up which will limit my opportunities for cycling I have opted to go for short walks around where I live. As a hearing aid user, I don't need to be putting myself at risk of modern traffic which can be hard enough to hear on a good day.

fin12

Definitely agree getting out for a walk and some fresh air makes u feel better.

voldejoie

lainey_d_123 wrote: »

The weather here in London has been properly miserable for the last few weeks and I'd say it's a big factor in how low I've been. Today it was finally dry (miserable grey sky but at least not bloody raining) and I got out for a bit of a slow jog/walk. I feel so, so much better now. I was absolutely dreading it but once I got out there and put some music on, it was grand. I'll really try hard to do this several times a week. Then even if I don't do a lot for the rest of the day, I have already achieved something positive.

Similar story here, work has been mental busy so it's been hard getting out and any time I have had a chance it's been raining. But this morning I went for a 'run' just as the sun was coming up (I put that in inverted commas because I'm doing week 1 of couch to 5k and very little actual running was done!) and I felt amazing after it! Fab way to start the day and I really do think it helps me focus better through the day.

lainey_d_123

The weather here in London has been properly miserable for the last few weeks and I'd say it's a big factor in how low I've been. Today it was finally dry (miserable grey sky but at least not bloody raining) and I got out for a bit of a slow jog/walk. I feel so, so much better now. I was absolutely dreading it but once I got out there and put some music on, it was grand. I'll really try hard to do this several times a week. Then even if I don't do a lot for the rest of the day, I have already achieved something positive.

Sam Hain

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I've been taking vitamin D supplements for weeks now and my mood has improved significantly.

Same here, without my habitual masturbation routine, I just won't know how to fill my day and elevate my mood.

lainey_d_123

Herb Powell wrote: »

My life and that of most of my friends, is completely upside down at the moment. I've heavily involved in music for years as soon as I was able (playing, recording, attending, organising), and that's just gone indefinitely. Socialising normally is out the window too.

They're not essential on the level of eating etc but it's a MASSIVE difference to life if this is what was normal to you before. I'm not complaining mind, everyone is losing something at the moment and tbh I think I'm handling it fine. But it is fairly unrecognisable at the moment to be quite honest.

+1

I don't mean to sound snarky here but I know people who are going on about how it's not even that different and tbh it's because they basically had no life before this, either. If someone's life consisted of gaming, Netflix and takeaways before the pandemic then yeah, it's more of the same, perhaps with the added bonus of not having to go to work every day and deal with the commute.

I basically live for travel. I spent a few years working remotely/travelling full time in different countries on a shoestring budget. I didn't care that I was broke and had no assets because travel brings me so much joy. Even once I decided to be sensible and retrain and settle down in London with a full-time job, I would be popping over to Paris for weekends and penciling in a few days in Reykjavik. I always had a trip booked to look forward to, and it kept me going during long days at work in miserable weather like we have now. I also have a hobby/second freelance job which sent me around the world for it, and I'd meet loads of people doing it and have a great time.

That's all gone now, and I don't know when I can get it back. Sure, it's not the end of the world, and I know lots of people have it worse, but my life is completely different now. It just feels like Groundhog Day, in all honesty, every day exactly the same. Sure, I can do different activities at home, but I'm essentially still at home. I can get out and exercise, but I'm in the same bit of London looking at the same roads and the same landmarks. I'm used to every year really counting, being filled with memories, and this one has just evaporated. I couldn't tell you what I did in May, or July or September. It was just all the same. Work from home, bit of exercise locally, reading, TV. And that's mentally quite hard.

fin12

Lavinia wrote: »

Well I did not murder anyone nor acted irresponsibly so not sure how could you compare my situation with people in real prisons for life, who are there for a very good reason..

There’s at least two posters on this thread that really don’t contribute anything helpful to this thread and actually tend to just criticize and questions others people feelings and thoughts about their situations.

Really don’t understand why they are on this thread. Best to put them on ignore.

fin12

Deleted User wrote: »

You've got to put things in perspective. There's people sitting in literal prisons all around the world right now, who will never be released, and maybe only get out of their cell for an hour or two a day. Your life and (for the most part) freedom is something they can only dream about. Even then, some can find solace in the coldest cell block. You can certainly find it in your current situation.

Immerse yourself in things of interest. Books, internet, video games, sports, exercise, cooking, meet your friends for a walk / coffee, go for a drive etc etc. You've so much to be grateful for; you've just got to allow your mind to see it.

Are u for real? your trying to compare what is asked of law abiding citizens to do with people stuck in prisons, unless they are innocent, they deserve to be in there, their freedom is something they have given up when they choose to commit their crime. Sorry while I don’t shed a tear for some murdering scumbag who’s locked up in prison....

[Deleted User]

I've been taking vitamin D supplements for weeks now and my mood has improved significantly.