nav[aria-label="Primary Navigation"] { padding: 0; & ul { list-style: none; width: 100%; display: flex; flex-direction: row; justify-content: start; align-items: start; gap: 30px; padding: 0; & li { margin: 0; } & ul li { list-style: none; } } }

Child Item

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

Find more posts tagged with

Quick Links

Comments

PTH2009

31 myself and hoping in the next 2 weeks i can register. id be low risk stage as i have no major medical issues. Id take a vaccine in the morning tbh

Before covid i had an autism assessment booked and hoping ill get it soon enough. Had to go private as the public system is a joke

speckle

PTH...heard those assements very expensive..did you have difficulty finding one in this country also? Alot of adults being restrospectively assessed these days that were missed when younger.. Good luck whatever the outcome a big decision to go for it.. alot of people seem to get finally get some relief/ self acceptance or an Aha moment if the results are yes. And then can move on in life in ways that suit themselves better and less stressfully.

PTH2009

speckle wrote: »

PTH...heard those assements very expensive..did you have difficulty finding one in this country also? Alot of adults being restrospectively assessed these days that were missed when younger.. Good luck whatever the outcome a big decision to go for it.. alot of people seem to get finally get some relief/ self acceptance or an Aha moment if the results are yes. And then can move on in life in ways that suit themselves better and less stressfully.

Atm its hard enough trying to get in touch with the doctor who i had the appointment . My family would be old fashioned and wont accept a zoom/skype call for something so important/ I have learnt from boards.ie about a lot of scam artists out there

This whole pandemic has not helped esp with past memories/doubts creeping back in

SnuggyBear

I went back to work recently. I was looking forward to it but I've been like a dog to everyone. I had so much time to myself over the last year I was just constantly doom scrolling.
I feel really cynical about the world and people in general. I need to apologise to some people tomorrow for how rude ive been. I hope this fades away once I settle back in but I'm honestly a prick at the minute. I don't even know who I am anymore. The bloody masks dont help either it's so unhuman to interact with people wearing them.
Before covid hit I was always busy and didn't take much notice of what was going on in the world. Now I'm obsessed with all kinds of crap and how the world is changing. It's true what they say ignorance is bliss.

A cup of te

Snuggybear, just wanted to say to you that you're not alone on the issue of being a bit prickly with people. I haven't had the issue myself but I have actually had so many people express a similar sentiment saying how they feel really exhausted now when they socialise and they end up getting snappy. They have gone so long without normal interaction that they find they can't wait to get back home when they do go for a day out and they're totally drained of energy when they meet people and have to talk for a few hours. This is not just one person. This is friends and then some colleagues in work too. My mam bumped into a friend of hers who almost ran away when she saw her and then she rang later apologising and saying she just can't cope now that we can socialise again. And this was a previously bubbly person. It is so sad. I think that last lockdown went on way too long and really has done some serious damage to people's mental health even people who never had any issues. My advice would be to just keep pushing yourself out there and you'll settle in again.

I joined a fitness class today for fun and it was the best laugh I've had in ages and so normal. Outdoors and exercising so no masks needed. It was so nice and normal. See all of the smiles again. Hear unmuffled voices. I get you on the mask front. I cannot wait till they're not mandatory anymore. They really make me feel sad me for some reason. I suppose it just signals to me that something is wrong.

Doomscrolling is the worst. Sometimes if you disconnect for a week or two you realise that the Internet is really more like its own little separate world rather than a mirror of the actual world! No harm to turn the WiFi or data off sometimes. Mind yourself.

SnuggyBear

Apologised and everything was cool and we had some craic today. I also wiped my youtube history so I'm not reccomeneded endless supply of doom and negativity.
You are definitely right about having to build up a people tolerance. It's taken me a couple of weeks.

Irish Stones

@Snuggybear,
your situation sounds mery much lime mine. My interaction with people is to a minimum, I rarely speak with my colleagues and co-workers, because I think I have nothing to say and because I feel like they have become stranger to me. Furthermore th emask on my mouth makes speaking difficult, so I tend so speak very little, and the muffled sound and the distance among people makes most words unintellegible and people often say "Sorry, can you come again?".
I don't think I will ever be the same in the future, but from what I see now I am rather sure I won't be the same sparkling person I was until 16 months ago. I don't even want to see anyone, that's why I never get out of home. Let alone travelling, that is the last of my thoughts, opposite to what I used to do till 2019.

SnuggyBear

I think you just have to give it time. It always seems like you will never feel better when your going through a bad situation. Once we get further along with masks gone and things more back to normal I think you will feel better. You might not the same person again but that's life I suppose. You go through **** and carry on a changed person sometimes for the worse but sometimes better.

Hobgoblin11

SnuggyBear wrote: »

I think you just have to give it time. It always seems like you will never feel better when your going through a bad situation. Once we get further along with masks gone and things more back to normal I think you will feel better. You might not the same person again but that's life I suppose. You go through **** and carry on a changed person sometimes for the worse but sometimes better.

I hope to be better but am unsure

[Deleted User]

So I think the end of lockdown might be frightening me more than anything at this point. I was bad socially pre lockdown, now I'm in a new place with no real friends. I'm awful at things like dating. Way more anxious than I've been in a long time. Gonna start counseling now but I'm at such a low cause I'm just not confident in myself at all.

anplaya27

Snugglybear - re masks - I'm a Deaf ISL user ( am profoundly deaf).

Dont really care about pubs etc reopening.

Cant wait till masks are gone. I dont think anyone realises how much of a negative impact theyve had on the Deaf community.

Research in several Deaf communities worldwide ( ones I've read are USA, Italy, India and China- so a broad spectrum) has shown a huge spike in mental health issues which is scary considering Deaf people who use a sign language as their first language pre covid were 4 times more likely to have mental health issues and twice as likely to take own life compared to a hearing person.

nigeldaniel

In relation to the above I too use hearing aids due to profound hearing loss and a social life never was my thing. I did start sign language classes about 10 years back but quit due to my mood disorder. Incidentally I had my 2nd jab on Tuesday. Have not exactley been in top form either but managing all the same.

[Deleted User]

For the first time in months and months I've been gripped by a kind of terror. I truly believed this would end, not soon but that pre pandemic life would be with us next year. Now I actually think this is it. This is the rest or lives. Variant after variant and the battle they create.

Sardonicat

[Deleted User] wrote: »

For the first time in months and months I've been gripped by a kind of terror. I truly believed this would end, not soon but that pre pandemic life would be with us next year. Now I actually think this is it. This is the rest or lives. Variant after variant and the battle they create.

It's ok Diamonds. There will be variants, just like there are variants of influenza. We dont have a Spanish Flu type scenario every year. In fact, what we are experiencing now is less deadly than that but probably scarier to experience because the public health measures are so visible and ongoing. The uncertainty is very hard to deal with, but try and remember this is nothing that the world hasn't seen before and it will again (hopefully not in our lifetime!)

We'll be OK, Diamonds. I promise.

[Deleted User]

Sardonicat wrote: »

It's ok Diamonds. There will be variants, just like there are variants of influenza. We dont have a Spanish Flu type scenario every year. In fact, what we are experiencing now is less deadly than that but probably scarier to experience because the public health measures are so visible and ongoing. The uncertainty is very hard to deal with, but try and remember this is nothing that the world hasn't seen before and it will again (hopefully not in our lifetime!)

We'll be OK, Diamonds. I promise.

Thanks Sardi

Your last sentence has me all weepy eyed here sitting in the car. In a good way. Like if I keep reading it then I'll believe it.
I already do in a rational sense but it's the feeling part that needs to catch up right now.

Sardonicat

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Thanks Sardi Your last sentence has me all weepy eyed here sitting in the car. In a good way. Like if I keep reading it then I'll believe it.
I already do in a rational sense but it's the feeling part that needs to catch up right now.

Don't worry, I get ya. This can be so overwhelming for all of us at times and sometimes all we need to hear is "It's going to be ok,"

leahyl

I understand completely where you are coming from. The uncertainty of it it all is actually the worst part. I got my first dose of Pfizer this week and while I was delighted to get it, I still felt it was a bit tainted by all this talk of the delta variant and not opening up indoor dining etc. - I mean I’m a single woman in her 30’s who just wants life to go back to the way it was; no matter which way you look at it, places are open and people are moving around again etc but it’s still not the same. As long as we are wearing masks and social distancing, life is not normal. It’s bloody hard to remain positive! It’s great to have here to come on and rant too!

PTH2009

What a rollacoaster of a week in terms of national news. Vaccines will get us out of this then this new variant is more deadlier and will cause a lot of destruction and then we learn the vaccine might not be enough. Honestly won't have the strength to go through another lockdown. More than likely I'll be vaccinated but that's means very little if we're still very restricted in Ireland

For the moment I'm back in work and it's going well but if there's another big lockdown it's back to the PUP or Wage Subsity (which is OK but it's cutting out a lot of interaction). I really missing the past times like going to concerts and matches. I've went to gigs/events all over the UK and I'll be thinking strongly of going again if there allowed go ahead in 2021 and the Dublin shows are cancelled. Once you're vaccinated you have the EU green cert but as you all know nothing fast happens in this country

Ahhhhhhhhhh so frustrated

dobman88

[Deleted User] wrote: »

For the first time in months and months I've been gripped by a kind of terror. I truly believed this would end, not soon but that pre pandemic life would be with us next year. Now I actually think this is it. This is the rest or lives. Variant after variant and the battle they create.

First of all, we need an abbreviation for your username so I shall call you DoF from here on in :pac:

I know it's easier said than done, believe me, but I've found when I actively try to focus on the positives it makes things a tiny fraction easier.

Is there anywhere near you that you could go to for an hour or 30mins to clear the head? Even go for a drive. Just anything to try and break the monotony of it all.

I get that things are still fcuking shìt for people and will be for some time. I was in quite a positive mindset recently but the news this week has floored me again. More delays to reopening and now the cnuts in NPHET saying we're at the beginning of a deadly 4th wave.

Personally, I couldn't go through another lockdown. It almost ended me in December and I honestly think it would push me over the edge. At the moment, I'm trying to do as much as I can to keep the head occupied and even if another lockdown comes, I'll continue to do those things while staying safe.

Try and do what's best for you, keep the head up and keep going. Its not easy, but we will get there.

dobman88

PTH2009 wrote: »

What a rollacoaster of a week in terms of national news. Vaccines will get us out of this then this new variant is more deadlier and will cause a lot of destruction and then we learn the vaccine might not be enough. Honestly won't have the strength to go through another lockdown. More than likely I'll be vaccinated but that's means very little if we're still very restricted in Ireland

For the moment I'm back in work and it's going well but if there's another big lockdown it's back to the PUP or Wage Subsity (which is OK but it's cutting out a lot of interaction). I really missing the past times like going to concerts and matches. I've went to gigs/events all over the UK and I'll be thinking strongly of going again if there allowed go ahead in 2021 and the Dublin shows are cancelled. Once you're vaccinated you have the EU green cert but as you all know nothing fast happens in this country

Ahhhhhhhhhh so frustrated

Its the matches that have done it for me. My brother and I were GAA season ticket holders and it was pretty much the only times we met because of work and living at opposite sides of the country, him in Cork and me in Meath. The football games were a great excuse to meet and stay over night in places we might not visit otherwise.

With regards to concerts, my missus and I have got sick of waiting so we booked a gig for Belfast next May and a gig in Madrid next June. We will be going to both, regardless of restrictions, if they both go ahead.

I dont think the govt realise people need to get back to living their lives. Regardless of how trivial it sounds to them.

Irish Stones

Deleted User wrote: »

For the first time in months and months I've been gripped by a kind of terror. I truly believed this would end, not soon but that pre pandemic life would be with us next year. Now I actually think this is it. This is the rest or lives. Variant after variant and the battle they create.

Unfortunately you're not alone in this. I believe the same thing.
There won't be a pre-pandemic life again, but we'll be stuck in this new world for the rest of our lives.
I appreciate those that are trying to cheer me up and give me some positive thoughts. I appreciate their efforts, but it seems it isn't working, my bad thoughts won't go away.

TomSweeney

Sardonicat wrote: »

It's ok Diamonds. There will be variants, just like there are variants of influenza. We dont have a Spanish Flu type scenario every year. In fact, what we are experiencing now is less deadly than that but probably scarier to experience because the public health measures are so visible and ongoing. The uncertainty is very hard to deal with, but try and remember this is nothing that the world hasn't seen before and it will again (hopefully not in our lifetime!)

We'll be OK, Diamonds. I promise.

Exactly, and remember it's more the govt and NPHET over reaction that is causing this, look at other countries around Europe, almost fully back to normal.

Lisha

Yup, it’s starting to feel like a hard slog… I know I’m lucky in so many ways but being afraid to meet people has played havoc with my mental health.

TomSweeney

Irish Stones wrote: »

Unfortunately you're not alone in this. I believe the same thing.
There won't be a pre-pandemic life again, but we'll be stuck in this new world for the rest of our lives.
I appreciate those that are trying to cheer me up and give me some positive thoughts. I appreciate their efforts, but it seems it isn't working, my bad thoughts won't go away.

The way I see it, and I am quite negative too, is that eventually even the people that supported NPHET in the past will get sick of it and they'll lose their support and when that happens the game is up - they don't have the money to keep this up, the debt is mounting, eventually fully reopening will be the only option as there will be no credit left.

Sardonicat

TomSweeney wrote: »

Exactly, and remember it's more the govt and NPHET over reaction that is causing this, look at other countries around Europe, almost fully back to normal.

Personally, I don't believe it is an over reaction. I'm very satisfied with how NPHET have handled this. It's very hard, but its necessary. We have to get ahead with the vaccines before the virus gets ahead of them.

TomSweeney

Sardonicat wrote: »

Personally, I don't believe it is an over reaction. I'm very satisfied with how NPHET have handled this. It's very hard, but its necessary. We have to get ahead with the vaccines before the virus gets ahead of them.

Wow.

Just. Wow.

Hope you get through this ok, really.

Ellie2008

Sardonicat wrote: »

Personally, I don't believe it is an over reaction. I'm very satisfied with how NPHET have handled this. It's very hard, but its necessary. We have to get ahead with the vaccines before the virus gets ahead of them.

Ok so say the aim is 80% vaccinated which looks like it might happen in September. What happens in September - schools, then it’s winter so risk & more risk. When does it end. The most frustrating bit is how so many of the deaths were due to in hospital transmission or hospital to nursing home while people were sitting at home unemployed.

There are already solicitors being instructed about nursing home deaths (yesterday’s Indo). There are stories of hospitals lacking PPE, hospitals moving a patient with Covid symptoms into a general ward. Of course mistakes happen but some of the nursing home deaths were in the 3rd wave when lessons should have been learnt.

Sardonicat

Ellie2008 wrote: »

Ok so say the aim is 80% vaccinated which looks like it might happen in September. What happens in September - schools, then it’s winter so risk & more risk. When does it end. The most frustrating bit is how so many of the deaths were due to in hospital transmission or hospital to nursing home while people were sitting at home unemployed.

There are already solicitors being instructed about nursing home deaths (yesterday’s Indo). There are stories of hospitals lacking PPE, hospitals moving a patient with Covid symptoms into a general ward. Of course mistakes happen but some of the nursing home deaths were in the 3rd wave when lessons should have been learnt.

I agree with all of those things. But none of them have anything to do with trying to vaccinate more people before the Delta variant further mutates. By September we should be all good and at herd immunity. We've had wave after wave of influenza since 1918. We are ok with that, aren't we? The vulnerable are vaccinated. The rest of us could get sick but recover. Yes, some people die from ot every year, but life goes on. So it will again. Do you have any idea how deadly the Soanish Flu was? Millions of people died world wide. If they had the knowledge, expertise and vaccinations then that we do now, millions could have been saved with adequate public health measures. We are very fortunate indeed to be experiencing a pandemic in this age.

SnuggyBear

[Deleted User] wrote: »

For the first time in months and months I've been gripped by a kind of terror. I truly believed this would end, not soon but that pre pandemic life would be with us next year. Now I actually think this is it. This is the rest or lives. Variant after variant and the battle they create.

It does seem to be a grim future ahead. It's hard to be positive, the world has changed completely. I can't even see people smile in work anymore. What kind of crap life is this?

Irish Stones

SnuggyBear wrote: »

It does seem to be a grim future ahead. It's hard to be positive, the world has changed completely. I can't even see people smile in work anymore. What kind of crap life is this?

Most of my colleagues manage to have some fun at work, but myself I have a very hard time to think positive and have a smile.
I only see dark ahead, because I know that we won't ever go back to the life pre-pandemic, the new life will be much sadder, I know that for sure!