Hi Temora

I'am sorry about your Relatives. I hope you haven't had difficulties communicating with them long distance.

Best wishes

hello everyone,

Weclome Temora to the forum and this read.

Music and jigsaws sound like a really good distraction to occupy your mind.

Alas for me I get very frustrated with jigsaws unless they are really easy say 400 pieces or less. I amthinking jigsaw pieces will become hard to get.

You are not alone and we are glad you are hear sharing your thoughts. It must be sad about your step mum.

PamelaR it is lovely to see your name and read your very helpful posts.

It is a challenging time and many like you and me and a challenging couple of months even before the virus.

Feeler,I am so glad you are doing things that help you. I think it can change from day to day what works and what doesn't.

A big wave to everyone reading this thread.

Hi Pamela

So sorry to hear that you've been through a rough patch. Glad to have you back on board sharing your wonderful insights.

Stay well x

Morning all,

I spiced up my morning walk to get a coffee by playing pokemon go haha.

its still kinda weird to see everything quiet.

Hope you are all well.

Hello to all.

Thanks for the welcome back Quirky and Summer Rose. It is good to be back. Hi Feeler, nice of you to response.

Ahh, well, things are become clearer for me now and what's happening in our household. Introverts and Extroverts being isolated together..... eek.

Not many people believe it but I am an introvert and hubby is an extrovert. Generally we get along fine. Hubby has a lot of external activities that keep him busy and well stocked with energy. Of course these are all closed down. It was a bit funny at first when emails started arriving to say meetings were being cancelled. He did start to show signs of anxiety. And I didn't take any notice of this - That's a warning to you introverts. Take heed as they begin to slowly zap your energy. Find things to help yourself and not to be drawn into their energy zapping behaviours. Like going for a walk on your own, finding a space in the house for yourself. I tend to stay in bed while he blunders around the house doing this and that to expend his energies (which aren't being replaced of course). I found this website this morning - maybe some of you might be interested:

https://introvertdear.com/news/introverts-how-to-survive-social-isolation-when-you-live-with-an-extrovert/

Kind regards

PamelaR

Hi Tangney and welcome to our forums

I understand how you are feeling - being at home all the time is unbearable. Especially when your anxiety and depression management regime is based around those things you do outside the home. My partner is like you and he is going nuts. His anxiety has increased significantly - based on being grounded at home. It must be difficult for people in the cities. I live on the outskirts of town and it is feasible to go for a walk through the environment corridor and not come across anyone. What specifically do you outside the house that you're missing? Is it contact with others or exercise?

Also, I agree, once things 'return to normal' (?) people will be dealing with the fallout, not just from COVID-19 but from the isolation you're talking about.

Kind regards

PamelaR

I have been in contact with a number of people who suffer epilepsy,

A large number are terrified of this new change of life and their stress/anxiety levels have increased a lot.

This of course will only cause more seizures.

We need to be aware of who is suffering like this on our forum and also if possible our neighbours as often a phone call or a quick chat over the fence will make their day.

we need to be aware of the well being of people around us and more importantly we need to be aware of our own well being.

Take care everyone

Dear Tangney....

I feel exactly the same as you do. The cure will be worse than the disease and the fall-out devastating effects will last for a long long time, well after the virus has gone. For some reason our politicians never seem to address this in their never ending TV announcements...no mention whatsoever of vulnerable mental health, anxiety and depression sufferers....as if we don't exist....or rather...don't matter.

I haven't written much lately because it is s hard to add anything positive.

I agree with Tangney that my concerns are less about the virus but the consequences of dealing with it as a society. I try to remind myself that our government is listening to the medical experts to make informed desicions to be proactive to prevent us fallowing the path of some other countries. Hopefully now most people are back from overseas we are not importing cases.

Issues causing me anxiety are my 2 children who live overseas. My daughter in particular has just lost her job and lives in a crowded city with rapidly growing risks. At least my son lives in a country town & has a wife & children to keep him company rather than being isolated like my daughter. How do others cope with knowing loved ones are in high risk areas.

Another son is in a psych hospital after his MI escalated. Because of the virus Even his wife has limited visiting time & he can't see his kids. I feel unable to provide any support.

Another daughter runs her own business. They were stretched financially prior to the virus but know business is down but expenses still the same. I miss being able to visit my grandkids & can't help her

My husband has a serious degenerative condition. Now supports normally available are no longer there including being able to get checked by GP if he is unwell. Phone consults don't allow checking his chest so if he gets sick he will remain home without medical attention until very unwell by which time his prognosis is poor. This is quite scary.

What I'm doing I'm focusing on doing what we can to stay as well as possible including regular exercise and healthy eating. Some therapists are providing help through telehealth which we are using.

I'm trying to arrange for help with extra cleaning & gardening to keep home as safe, clean & comfortable as possible while we can't get out.

Thank you for sharing that with us Elizabeth CP.

You say you've been finding it hard to add anything positive lately and yet you give us these lovely examples of things that are within your control right now that you are doing to improve your lot.

What I'm doing I'm focusing on doing what we can to stay as well as possible including regular exercise and healthy eating. Some therapists are providing help through telehealth which we are using.

I'm trying to arrange for help with extra cleaning & gardening to keep home as safe, clean & comfortable as possible while we can't get out.

This is exactly the sort of thing we want to see on this thread as it is so helpful, constructive and therefore supportive to others.

Thanks again to you and all those contributing to make this the safe, non-judgmental and welcoming thread it is, which for many is their first experience with our valued online forums community.

We appreciate your efforts.

I do know, of course, that we are all in this Coronavirus situation “together,” that probably everyone has a range of difficult situations to manage, that I am not the only one, but ....

Yesterdays news about 3 months of isolation has really thrown me, and to think of 6 months is absolutely mind blowing so I am really worried how I will cope. And as well as that I had major surgery earlier this year, a close friend died recently, there’s an ongoing drama involving police next door, I have financial worries ...

I know many of the things I need to do but my depression which was under control until recently is coming back and it scares me. I live alone, my only family of one lives far away and hardly ever keeps in touch, nearly everyone I know has family and/or people they live with and most seem to be hunkering in their own little bubble. I feel so isolated and quite desperately want a hug and some kindness, some supportive words. To think of being with somebody to have a cuppa seems like a very far off luxury. I need to vent, so here I am.

I hear you Speak Your Truth.

Are you taking this as it all comes? Day by day? Sounds like you've been through so much. My hat goes off to you for all your courage.

I am and just battling the hard moment as they hit. I love how deep you were with your post, we need more of it.

Hello all

I am very concerned about the mental health of our community and, frankly, all Australians. This has really been getting me down, particularly as there are so many special need groups in this crisis.

I felt much better after learning that bb has been given $15m to launch an appropriate and effective mental health response. Even better, we all have a voice in how the new service will work and what it will do.

I encourage everyone to hop onto the bb website and contribute by completing the short survey. It's just another way that we can all help each other.

Kind thoughts to you

Spot on Summer Rose. Very good idea indeed.

Hi Elizabeth CP - long time no speak. I have to agree with Sophie. You often put yourself down, however, from where I sit you are a tower of strength. Everything you've been through and have to go through. You're awesome - you always give hints about what you need to do to stay well.

To all the others who I've had little time with - it's great to see you sharing your experiences to help others. That is so needed and you know, the media does not focus on all the good that's going on, it hones in on the hardships. One of the best ways I cope is to limit as much as possible exposure to news reports and current affairs programs. I find other stories out there that are uplifting - who is helping who; what people are doing to work around isolation; listening to the results of the work arounds.

I'm one of these people some hate to have around because I try to find the positives in all the negatives. Well, to be honest if I hadn't done that all my life I don't think I would be here now. That's how I've kept going, kept living, and continue to enjoy my life.

What I've had to do over the past couple of months with all the disasters that have occurred is to bring a balance to how I think about what's happening. I think I'm doing this, but in the space and place I want to give some hope and positivity. Things are going to be different, they will never be the same. The hope is it will be something better than it was before.

Summer Rose has given a great suggestion - go and do the survey. Have your say to help shape what's needed for our community.

Kind regards

PamelaR

Thank you Doz86, Summer Rose and PamelaR for your replies. As I said before I know many of the things I need to do - I have access to Kanopy movies, books, various crafts and music. Also I am sewing face masks to be used for training in my local hospital. As I live by myself I have no worries with any form of domestic violence, so for all of that I am so, so grateful.

PatriciaR I acknowledge your positive take on life and there were times in my much younger life where I was positive and happy all or most of the time - and I got jumped on for being a Pollyanna. Over the years that has been very hard to take. When I haven’t been positive and happy I got jumped on for being negative, so I never feel like I can win. I’ve been on the regular forum here before (I have a long history of depression and anxiety, probably as far back as childhood) up until about 18 months ago when I managed to pull myself up and out of my depression, but it never really goes away - it lurks in the background.

But things I am dealing with now are common to many people, especially those living alone. I am a senior so in a vulnerable category, plus being post-surgery I am more vulnerable for that reason too (reduced immune system). I have no-one to shop for me although there are locals on Facebook offering to help, a service I haven’t used yet, and of course Woolies and Coles (at cost). Although I do drive and can go shopping myself I am getting to the stage where I worry about community transmission, about being asymptomatic and able to infect other people. I have a good fridge but freezer space is limited and I need to keep meat for my dog as well, so I need to shop small loads, frequently.

I only know 2 households in my street, but the rest I don’t even know by sight. I get a wave occasionally but no-ones checking in on me except for one family, who have two very small children who are very, very worried for them. I really don’t understand or believe the “Australians are there for each other” and all that guff sprouted during the fires and now with Covid. So many people can’t make eye contact, even under normal circumstances, avoid you as if they think you’re after their money, or that you're some sort of alien. Where I live - rural coastal area - it is very cliquey and snooty also. These are more of the things so many people experience.

I think I’ve probably said enough for tonight. Thanks everyone 🤗😘

Hi Speak,

I could relate to a few things in your post! Like you I'm a senior, and have the same trouble with very limited freezer space so I have to keep going out to the supermarkets to restock - and have to go even more frequently because the stockpiling means that many of the things I need simply aren't there and I have to go to one shop after another, or go again the next day, etc, when I'd rather not be there!

I moved to a new town just before the fires - came down with influenza just after arriving here, knew nobody, spent about 8 weeks sick, by then we ran into Christmas/New Year so nothing was happening socially for me to join, then bushfires close to here and severe heatwaves, and just when it was cooling down and I could actually start getting a social life together, the Covid19 and everything is cancelled!

In my street I'm disappointed that none of the neighbours talk to each other or mix at all. During the heatwaves, which were incredible and I have no aircon - my neighbours ran their aircons all day and night and never checked on me. My little much loved dog nearly died despite all my efforts. I still don't know how we got through it. I wanted to move away but now we're stuck with the virus making moving near impossible (plus other factors for me, ie. not much money).

I have elderly friends in the City who are in their 90s and disappointed none of their neighbours have asked if they need any help, or are they OK? I am disappointed that more people don't make any effort to make contact. At Christmas I put a Xmas card into all the neighbours' letterboxes from me to say hello, but no response from any of them.

I have plenty of interests but was looking forward to some U3A courses, book club, enjoying cosy cafes in the cold weather ahead etc. We have to make the best of it, I have take away coffee in the park and get an ice cream and have it in the park and we go for long walks and at least meet other people walking their dogs too.

You're welcome onto my thread anytime, it's Anyone had to spend days alone with nobody to talk to? We are a few ladies who chat about this and that, mostly our dogs, daily life, whatever. Take care. I know all about cliquey coastal towns too... although I'm inland now (big mistake).. cheers.

A wave to you quirkywords. I like the name. This is my first post.

These are crazy times. I was afraid of slipping back into depression after being so well and involved for a few years now. But tonight I wrote a list of things to do and help. I've got some structure now. I've been walking with George Michael on my phone or Adam Lambert from Queen. It's great for taking my mind off worries. I've also done online workouts.

I've been grieving about the loss of all my outside activities. I miss the cafes. But I'm hoping to gradually come to terms with the new normal.

Keep well everyone. meforcats.

I miss the cafes too meforcats, but while the mild weather lasts lots of people are having take away coffee in the parks here...

Just a suggestion to everyone here - our local Anglicare is desperate for food donations. They are still opening a couple of days a week and are finding people who have lost their jobs recently and have still not received any unemployment benefits are in great need of food supplies. I know many of us are on pensions etc, but even if you can only purchase one extra thing, do think about donating it to whatever local food charity you have near you. Tinned fruit/veggies/soups, pasta and sauce, coffee, teabags, noodles, longlife milk, a chocolate bar etc, anything like that is needed. Thanks everyone. One way to feel you're helping someone else during these difficult times.

Hi Speak Your Truth!

Its been a long time and great to see you albeit under these difficult circumstances

Please let me know if I am incorrect on this...

Woolworths have a $15-00 delivery charge when we spend under $90?

Clarification is welcome :-)

Paul

Hello everyone reading

welcome meforcats to the this thread and the forum.

i am glad you have some structure. and routine.

Grieving for your loss of your usual outdoors life is good as it acknowledges your feelings.

maybe there is some activity creative or something you have always wanted to do that may be you could do.

Moon,

I think the amount of money given to beyond blue to develop a program fir people affected by the virus, shows that govt is thinking of

people with mental health issues. There is even a public service announcement about looking after ones mental health.

i think many people feel like you and have concerns about how the virus is being handled that is why beyond blue has this thread and others so people can talk about their concerns,

your views are always welcome.
are there any ideas that you feel will lessen the long term results of the restrictions.

Hi Speak Your Truth

Here's some information on the survey:

Survey: Coronavirus Mental Health Support Service
Beyond Blue is developing a new mental health support service and we are keen to hear your thoughts and ideas of what it could look like.

We are asking all Blue Voices members to complete this initial short survey. The survey will only be open until midnight Sunday 5 April. This survey is the first of many ways we plan to involve community in helping us to design and deliver a service that is relevant and accessible to anyone living in Australia seeking mental health support through the coronavirus pandemic.

The good news is that it's open to 5 April for Blue Voices members. (You can join Blue Voices on that section of the website if not already a member.) The bad news is that I can't see the survey on the website where I would expect to see it.

Sophie can you help with this?

Hi Summer Rose!

Scroll all the way down to the bottom of the Blue Voices survey topic....Its working...

Cheers...Paul

Hi blondguy and thank you for remembering me. I did sign up to Woolies deliveries for seniors with the Covid situation, the email that came back was free delivery for spends over a $100. I haven’t used it yet, and I don’t know yet what the delivery fee is after that. As a senior with limited needs apart from food (I had plenty of loo paper before all this started) it’s hard to spend a $100 when I don’t have much freezer space - I can’t use fresh food quickly enough. It’s complicated 😫

Hey SYT

you are spot on...over $100-00 is free delivery....for seniors or people with a disability...I am sure its $15-00 if we spend under $100....any updates are welcome so we can help others :-) $15-00 is excellent considering the current situation..Hugs...Paul :-)

Hi Paul

Thanks for helping! Even mt glasses aren't helping tonight!!!

Hope you are well. Stay safe x

I can’t find the survey either Summer Rose. I did sign up for Blue Voices

Hey Cala....just so we can leave this thread open to new members I can help you out on my own thread...just copy & paste the link below :-)

www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/staying-well/do-you-like-yourself-your-thoughts-are-welcome/page/87