we are not in italy yes that is true but if we act like public health and sanitation is overreacting and ridiculous all because we don't live in Country With Scary Headlines we will be on track to becoming something like it. italy went from having so little cases that they could give every patient as much care as they need to in a week bodies piling in and being so overrun. if changing and overpreparing (i'm not endorsing panic buying. i'm talking about preventative measures and keeping hygiene) means we can prevent deaths especially of our high risk ones

a good twitter thread to read re: italy's management is @JasonYanowitz's "to the rest of the world, you have no idea what's coming" thread describing this. i think it's his pinned. the washington post has been praised for its sim that explores these methods (Stevens, H. (2020, March 14). Why outbreaks like coronavirus spread exponentially, and how to “flatten the curve”. they tell me i don't need to cite apa until university but every other system looks weak as shit)

Hi all

Hope you're all going okay at this stressful time. Some great tips here. I worry a bit about increased isolation and loneliness, as I feel it a bit during normal times anyway.. I live alone and I am now working from home, so may be quite long periods without any face to face contact. I know many people are in the same boat. Without my usual weekly exercise classes too that usually keep me happy and healthy. I will make an effort to call friends and family, and meditate, read and walk.. if anyone has any other tips for this I'd love to hear them.

Take care x

I'm with you eight, unpleasant though it will be I think we just need to lockdown now and try to get this virus to slow down... for everyone's sake.

Hi everyone,

Maybe it sounds odd, but on a personal level, I’m actually not that scared of the virus itself, because I’m in one of the lower risk groups. What worries me more is the emotional toll of the actual social distancing itself, as well as the implications for higher risk groups, such as some of my relatives...

I of course understand that we need to practice social distancing to help “flatten the curve”, & I’m trying to do my part. But that doesn’t make it easy mentally...

I don’t know what to do for emotional support, as social distancing means my usual forms of support are now out of reach...literally...

Normally, I have a steady support network that I see in person. But now I have to limit direct contact with them for an indefinite period...

I know we have phones, online options, apps, etc but it’s obviously not a substitute for a hug from a friend or going to an event with friends or chatting in person with my relatives...

I miss that...

Yes, I’m keeping in touch with my friends & family, but at a physical distance and that is hard...

At the moment, I still have to go to work, but that is subject to change as we may shift increasingly to work-from-home arrangements. Being able to actually go to work is keeping me somewhat sane for now...

Busy city streets that are normally bustling with people & activity are like ghost towns lately (relatively speaking). It gives me an eerie feeling...

On the upside, seeing as I can’t really go anywhere except for work & other essential purposes, I suppose that I can spend more time on my creative passions...

On a more constructive note, my suggestions to cope might be:

• Turn to evidence-based research & medical professionals when looking for information about the virus.
• Remember that social distancing doesn’t mean complete disconnection; it just means limiting face-to-face contact. It’s not the same (I know) but we have phones & internet to keep in touch.
• Don’t forget to still try to fit in exercise & some time in nature, but maybe just try to avoid crowds.
• Meditation/grounding/breathing exercises might be good for managing heightened anxiety.
• Consider discussing the possibility of online appointments with your mental health team if necessary e.g. Skype.
• Stay informed about covid-19, but set boundaries e.g. checking once or twice daily, but not every hour.
• Have conversations about things unrelated to the virus with loved ones

Quirky: thank you for your kind words of support to me :)

Kindness and care,

Pepper

Hi everyone!

I have Generalised Anxiety Disorder but mostly struggle with health anxiety as a part of this.

Apart from feeling totally overwhelmed with the world right now, there are a couple of things I'd like to put to you and if anyone can help in any way I'd really appreciate it.

I know I shouldn't (the rational part of my brain knows) read all the posts and articles on social media about COVID19 but I get almost like a compulsion to read them. I spend any spare time on social media just reading every article (good or bad). I feel like if I don't read all the info and stats that I will miss something important or life-saving. Any tips apart from staying off social media altogether (I think this would make me anxious too!) for how to stop having to read and know all the info?

Also - I feel like I switch from being in denial that this is real (what's going on in the world right now with sickness and lockdowns) where it feels surreal and I don't believe it to feeling like it's the apocalypse and we're all going to die. I feel stuck and almost like I'm having trouble making out reality. I'm so confused! Any tips or anyone feeling the same?

Thanks

Thank you for your words and thoughts Pepper. I feel the same, the emotional distance is what will be hard. This is also a good spot to reach out and connect, we need to do that any way we can. Your words are always wise and comforting. :)

Elle, I know what you mean about feeling the strange sense of reality/unreality as this is all so different and rapid and uncertain. I just try to tell myself that this isn't reality forever - there will be an end to this, so keep sight of that. I also get into compulsive reading and scrolling and have to work hard to avoid the news and social media all the time. I'm really trying to focus more on books and podcasts (and chatting to loved ones) and breathe through the compulsive feelings.

x

Hello, I’ve never posted anything here before (and to be honest I’m not even sure if I’m doing it right!). But I am finding the panic buying to be really overwhelming. I haven’t stockpiled anything myself, but going to the shops and seeing so many empty shelves and hearing people talking about what has sold out etc is making me feel very scared. Does anyone have any tips on how to manage this? Thank you

Hi Ellelee

Im not sure if this will help or if you have already tried this, but I have started “snoozing” some news pages on Facebook for 30 days as I find the constant articles and updates about coronavirus too overwhelming.

Geoff - there is no need to fret about psych appointments. If I'm unwell, or my psychiatrist is unwell, he'll do phone appointments, and all psychiatrists have the capacity to do that. Cheers.

Thank you for this thread it is very helpful I myself am not too worried about the virus or getting it. It is the panic and people that are heightening my anxiety, I stuggle to do grocery shopping at the best of times and now the supermarkets are busy and I feel like everyone judges you for what you buy which is making me very self conscious. I also was trying to do some exposure therapy for social anxiety, but as my university has stopped classes it is now very hard to continue that and I feel like social distancing is going to make my anxiety worse in the long run. Hope you are all staying safe and healthy

- ollieb

i know places like twitter can mute words and hashtags - try muting some terms for a week, a month, as long as you need to. or if you've been following specific covid accounts making it hard for you its okay to unfollow them, or even block them so its harder to see their content anymore - social media is all what you want to make it yknow?

another alternative is picking One person you trust (maybe someone trained in medicine/epidemiology) and getting your info from them instead of a whole collection. i know ive seen suggestions about only checking at a specific time of day for this long but i wouldn't know if that would be that effective for you if you anxiety disorder overrides that. hanna recommended abc journalist and doctor norman swan, his twit is @normanswan and he also manages coronacast - 10 minute podcasts that explore one topic about the pandemic that updates on weekdays. most of the accounts i follow is a big mess of separate doctors and scientists rather than anything concrete so i wouldn't have much other recs because i'm going to overwhelm you more than they already have lol

I'm glad forums like this exist to try and share coping strategies in this difficult time for those of us who found life challenging on mental health before any of this madness started.

I have Generalised Anxiety Disorder and I'm normally used to trying to convince myself that my worries are unwarranted but right now it feels like the world is pressing the panic button not myself this time.

I'm not too concerned with getting the virus but the 24/7 information bombardment has been completely overwhelming. From supermarkets to loud speakers at train stations, overhearing conversations, even the visibility of so many masks. I've today deleted most social media apps off my phone and I'm trying to not check Facebook for the next month. But it is incredibly hard to escape and also hard to resist the need to feel informed at all times. Even all my emails seem to be coronavirus related. Every single business or service I have used or shopped at seems to feel the need to keep everyone updated on their 'virus position', normally nothing more than the hygiene practices they should already be doing or that they are keeping up to date with government advice.

I really rely on routine and being out and about to keep my mental health in check. Not even two weeks ago the virus seemed confined at its worst to Italy and China. Now in Australia, all my classes are online, I'm unsure if I'll keep my cinema job of 5 years, all social events I had booked or was looking forward to are postponed indefinitely and I'm still trying to recover money from a Europe holiday that will now almost certainly not go ahead in July.

For now I will be drinking tea, relaxing with candles and sticking to updates from the government, WHO and my university and not the media about what is going on.

Hi Ellelee & everyone else here,

I get talking to people while I am out taking my dog for a walk, and it seems that everybody I talk to is having these feelings that it all seems surreal and like it can't really be happening - so it's not just people with MH/anxiety issues, every single person I talk to is having trouble taking it all in! Hence the panic buying as well I guess - and Australians have had a very stressful, frightening summer with all the fires, so don't forget we have all been under stress for months already with bushfires, dust storms, hazardous smoke in the air, breathing problems, constantly seeing the devastation on the television and news, and heatwaves... and now just when all that seems to be settling down at last (except for those poor people who have lost their homes & communities) - now we have the virus outbreak!

So let's not be hard on ourselves for feeing pretty rattled - pretty much everybody is, world wide! We haven't been through anything like this pandemic before so it's new and frightening for us all. It feels quite unreal to me too!

I think it's really important to take breaks from the media and reports about it and do normal everyday things - go for a walk, watch a movie or a funny TV show, do some cooking or housework or gardening, mow the lawn, anything that is normal and gets you away from thinking about it all for a while.

Also maybe think a bit about how you would fill in the time if you are locked down for a fortnight at least - I think it helps to have a few ideas of how you might occupy yourself and not feel too cut off and isolated. I've been thinking what books I might read, what clothing I could go through and cull out, reline the kitchen drawers, whatever. This might help you feel a bit less worried if/when a lockdown happens. Can you organise with friends to phone each other? Things like that...

It makes me feel less weird when I realize that everybody I talk to is feeing the same way - one young guy I got chatting to today walking his dog said he just couldn't seem to take in that it was real - and I heard another young man on his mobile talking to a friend saying "can you believe this is happening?" So we're all feeling the same! I think it's very normal to be feeling abnormal at the moment!

No def' not hanna , all the panic buying for example isn't us , that's just the general public out there.

Even me l've never even taken any notice of any of the others , ever, but this one yeah , it is all very very strange to everyone l think , how could it not be .

l think l'll have to stop watching updates and news bits , it's all starting to mess with me.

mama's convinced we're going into quarantine by next fortnight and keeps outlining what she wants to do with us. she's been trying to stock up a little even while the shelves are stripped and we have some cake mix bc my brother wants to make more even if its storebought stuff and she says We're Not Making Any until lockdown hits. she wants me to help with her ironing and i'm personally thinking of my reading list and maybe a backlog of games. animal crossing comes out on friday and i remember playing like. new leaf and city folk and how incredibly calming it is. oh to escape a stressful hustle and bustle life to a deserted island with a tanuki and his nephews if only

i know places online, like discordapp was one that came to mind where they increased screensharing and videochat capacity from 10 to 50 in the wake of covid and more people relying on online. i think of that tweet where op asked their 14 year old why she was staying up until midnight working on a project and she and her friends organised a session where they made powerpoints about their passions and shared them over zoom. speaking of zoom i've seen another tweet from online classes where they're told "students are required to wear clothes during zoom meetings" and you know what they say about how there's always something that has to happen for laws to be made? right??

i feel like everyone's sort of spooked over this; its so sudden and especially with our modern innovations of airlines and easy travel and not having severe symptoms that could slip under the radar or single vector (zika being spread by a few specific species of mosquito. okay i'm not sure if this is the right wording it escapes me now but it wasn't human to human, i think that's what i'm trying to communicate. you can find a contagious human anywhere) coronavirus became a pandemic easily. we haven't lived in anything as wide reaching in any of our lifetimes. we had h1n1 in '09 but this sure is wildly different, innit? i keep reflecting on how we're basically in a History Textbook moment and im coming to terms to maybe crisises years ago were probably a lot less exciting than they sound because i'm in one and i'm like, worrying about my hand-in task due tomorrow and vacuuming the dog hair off the tiles. it's surreal mate. we're all out of whack!

I actually found the "you have no idea what's coming" the most destructive and demoralising thing about the whole virus.

I believe we need to promote good hygeine habits and sensible approach to public health, but hearing -while already feeling overwhelmed and that keeping going is not worth the struggle - that what I am experiencing is "nothing" compared with what is to come has made me suicidal

I am feeling so depressed about the state of the world at the moment. The virus is affecting my family (my daughter has lost her job), my business as I have almost no customers and all activities I enjoy have been banned or canceled. All the activities my teen aged daughters are involved in have been canceled, including school and university classes. There's just nothing left to enjoy in life, and this is just the beginning.

I have started drinking again as a way to dull the stress of all this doom and gloom.

Hello everyone to has posted, it is good to hear people's ideas. If you have a chance read some ideas written here by others,

Mir welcome to the forum.

I am sorry that the virus has affected you and your families life. It is sad you feel there is nothing left to enjoy.

I understand how it seems like that . I suppose at these times we have to be flexible and hopefully you will find another activity that brings you joy. It is difficult when your life suddenly changes.

This happened to me this year when a suffered great loss in the fires. My life has changed. I am living away from my community. Like you things that gave me joy are no longer available.

I am now closer to my family and I see that a positive.

I think by reading this thread you may find some ideas. I am now reading more and writing more.

Restricting what news programs I watch or listen too has helped me.

things wont be the same for us all but it hopefully there is room for a little joy,

Craftdee thanks for your post with sensible ideas

Eight I hope things go well for you. Surreal is right

Hanna Thanks for your advice.

I think it's really important to take breaks from the media and reports about it and do normal everyday things - go for a walk, watch a movie or a funny TV show, do some cooking or housework or gardening, mow the lawn, anything that is normal and gets you away from thinking about it all for a while.

Sashenka,

Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your post. This advice is a way of selfcaring and coping.

For now I will be drinking tea, relaxing with candles and sticking to updates from the government, WHO and my university and not the media about what is going on.

Some great words their Quirky!

These are trying times not only as Australians but as global citizens. Together we band as one, although we may be physically isolated. Continue to offer support, continue to offer ideas as to how to occupy time during quarantine or isolation, continue to offer hope and continue to be positive.

Just as society has survived previous pandemics, wars and natural disasters, we will ride this out.

Ever wanted to learn to draw? To learn a new subject? YouTube and other websites give you this opportunity. Buy a new book. Develop a home exercise routine. Learn to meditate. We can collectively turn this negative in to a positive in some form or another. Don’t despair but show some care. Develop yourself and your loved ones.
take care :)

SapereAude I loved your post. Thank you.

I've been low even before all the chaos here started and things here haven't been good so I've had to cope however I can.

To others my self care might seem ridiculous but I've taken SapereAude's approach... Find the opportunities to feel good.

My son has been sick and his school has a policy of ANY symptoms and the whole family stays clear, whatever it is. So Mr 6, Miss 5 and I have been home for a week now. At first I felt scared and worried about my kids missing important content. Then I decided to take it as an opportunity to rest and have fun. I'm grateful to the school for having a firm stance. It felt worse not knowing what to do.

We sleep in. Then do some school work. Then a craft activity. We watch bits of documentaries about animals. Play dress ups. Do gardening. Listen to kids CDs with maths rhymes etc. Read. Paint. Cook. Today I got out the dehydrator and the kids will try drying fruit.

Hubby took us all on an adventure yesterday in the bush near home. We took a four hour bush walk, collected all sorts of rocks (and got lost until I used good old Google maps to get us home). We got rained on and had hot porridge for dinner.

I can't remember the last time I have felt free to just do as I like. No school run, lunch prep, after school activities and sports etc. We don't have tv coverage so I don't see the news. Told hubby I don't want to know either. It isn't healthy for me to be anxious constantly.

We're lucky to not live in the city. I feel so sorry for people being bombarded and scared at every opportunity.

I have a suppressed immune system. But I told hubby I refuse to worry unless I'm sick. Even then there is something like a 90% chance I will be absolutely fine. I get worried for my kids and hubby reminds me the virus doesn't seem to affect kids as much. I'm very glad for that.

Sorry for the waffle. I hope that everyone here who has posted feeling afraid can turn off the tv/phone/internet and find one thing today to do that makes them feel good.

It will be ok. It's hard to be positive when it feels chaotic. There's nothing wrong with choosing to block out the drama for a little while. It helps me anyway.

❤ Nat

Hi Craft Dee (and indeed all reading here),

We know these are incredibly difficult times for everyone; we are saddened to hear of the impact on your wellbeing.

Please know things are going to get better and our community is here for you.

We're writing to you because we are worried and highly recommend reaching out to our Support Service anytime on 1300 22 4636 or web chat (3pm-midnight AEDT) or email. Alternatively, you could reach out to the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.

Please write back here and let us know how you are going when you feel ready.

Oh I love that idea of washing my hands being an act of love for myself and others - thanks for saying that!

You are NOT guilty and please do not turn on yourself!

I am spending a lot of time thinking about Covey's Circle of Control and Circle of Concern (from 7 Habits of Highly effective people)

Essentially, Stephen says there will always be a big circle in our lives filled with things we can't control yet are deeply concerned about (coronavirus, empty supermarket shelves, how long our lives will be like this ... ). We will get exhausted, frustrated and feel hopeless while we spend time in that circle.

There's another circle - the Circle of Control. yes it's smaller, but it's all we can do that will actually have an impact on our personal world ...

To keep myself in this Circle of Control, I'm doing things like:
Washing hands regularly
Minimising my contact people in the real world
Calling friends and colleagues
Having video chats
Praying
Meditating
Reading books I have long intended to read
Treating myself to a home facial / manicure / pedicure
Calling friends (again!)
NOT watching / reading news on TV, radio or social media. (At least limit it to 10 minutes, twice a day if you must)
Smiling at people (and usually getting one in return)
Asking older people I see in public if I can help them in any way
Doing my Paint By Numbers (yes, they do have them for adults - search online!) and my other craft work
Lying in my hammock, staring at the clouds and thinking of all the things I am grateful for

You've got the idea.

I'm not suggesting for a moment these ideas cure clinical depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions.

I am suggesting that when we look to take control over the things we can actually control, life does indeed seem a wee bit easier.

With love from someone who has experienced depression, anxiety and PTSD

I isolate my self at the best of times so am not worried about that.

What I am worried about is the hysteria and people going crazy. Coles stopped online ordering. I used to use it all the time since my anxiety prevented me from going into crowded places. I tired to the other day and ended up in a panic attack. I haven't stockpiled anything since I can't go near the shops. I know they dedicated an hour in the morning to the elderly and disabled which I think it a great idea, but what about the people that struggle to cope at the best of times in crowded places. It makes my anxiety worse. Even with prn's, deep breathing, having a comfort item, I still ended up in full panic attack mode.

People need to stop and think about others.

solation cannot come fast enough for me, I don't talk to and see anyone anyway so nothing will change.

Hi,

I have joined this website so I can feel more validated in what I am feeling and knowing that I am not the only person feeling this way. I am currently completing VCE in year 12, and this coronavirus outbreak has pushed my anxiety over the edge. I was diagnosed with GAD threeish years ago, and although it is always there it varies in how much it affects me. Because of the outbreak, I am concerned for myself, my friends and my family. I know that is is ver, very, very unlikely for this to harm me in a detrimental way, but my brain seems to make the worse of it. I have been bringing anti-bacterial wipes to school to sanitise my locker, lock, tables and chairs that I touch and sit on daily, I have hand sanitiser wash my hands regularly. Yesterday, my school had a year 12 assembly about how victorian schools are not going to be shut unless there is a confirmed case or someone had been in contact with a confirmed case, this stresses me out majorly to the point where I cannot physically go. I tried to go today, but got my mum to pick me up after an hour because of the amount of people who were around me and in fear that someone was sick. I have been given the same advice from my teachers, the same uncertainties and 'I don't know whats going to happen', and I need ways to manage the stress I get from this as I am in year 12 and have to have 90% attendance at school.

I have tried to do what I can to make myself more comfortable during this time, but I am honestly stuck on what else to do. I am scared to leave my house, I feel unsafe at school, I don't want to go to work, in fear that a customer I serve may have the virus and not know yet as testing is limited.

I need advice.

Me and my daughter have been put into self isolation as while we were at the doctors this afternoon they had a suspected case of the coronavirus.The practise has been locked down and everyone put into self isolation.Feeling scared.

Hi TenacityJane, where do you get the paint by numbers from? Online or from a store?

Hello everyone...hugs 🤗..

Im sorry to hear that Matchy..and pray you, your daughter and everyone else is okay..

My Drs surgery has an isolation room, masks and gloves for anyone coming in who has a cough or thinks they have been in contact with someone who has it...

So far in the central west 5 cases have been confirmed and isolated into the hospital....

Please try not to think negative about this...Many people have had it and recovered from it..I heard on the news today that they are starting trials with what the professionals think is a helpful vaccine for this dreaded virus...let’s pray that this vaccine works..

Hello Idgie...I Hope Tenacity Jane doesn’t mind me letting you know that their are some great apps for painting by numbers..in the App Store or google play..I have a few of them and do them when I’m down....

I live in a tiny village, and have to go to the bigger town 35 kilometres (2,000 residents)... to shop...There is not much hysteria out here..but the shelves are getting empty..I find it hard to go to the shops..after work I did yesterday and no toilet paper..and I only have 2 rolls left..I wished so much that people were not so panicky..I think the bigger city shops are getting more stock delivered first..before the smaller country towns..

Please everyone stay safe..wash your hands regularly when you go out....and stay hydrated with water..

Grandy..

Hey all,

I'm feeling a little worried about the potential for not being able to see MH professionals (eg psychologist). I read earlier that there are provisions for Telehealth services being able to replace face to face under MH care plans - does this mean that your regular psychologist will be able to to claim the Medicare rebates for providing their services online?

What happens if they are not equipped or willing to do this?

I also feel like if there's any need to see a GP (eg for MH care plan renewal), it's a total waste of their time. Does anyone have thoughts?

Sorry if this seems like an anxious rant.

Here's some positivity:

What thoughts are helpful for you at the moment?

We're all in this together. We are resilient and will ultimately help each other where we can.

What are you doing to remain connected?

Inviting friends for online hangs via FaceTime, Zoom etc. Engaging in conversations with people on social media where it feels productive - eg tips to look after yourself, feed yourself etc.

How are you taking care of yourself and others?

Checking in with friends/loved ones that are in isolation, keeping up with exercise and self care, looking to engage in creative pursuits.

What are you finding helpful in reducing your anxiety during this time?

Talking with close people about decisions, talking with friends about things other than COVID-19, having a laugh, keeping things as normal as possible.

Hi BillieIndigo

I would just like to say a big THANK YOU to you for working in the health care sector. I don’t doubt that it’s hard, and stressful, and difficult to get a break from this Coronavirus thing. There are a lot of people on this forum who could offer better advice than me. But the fact that you are working in the field and you are there helping others when they need it means a lot, to us and to them. Thank you.