Welcome to care bear and cookie to the forum.,

I echo the kind words that Paul sen you.

care bear it must be hard fir you as your job involves getting constant up dates on the corona virus.

cookie, I can feel the pain and frustration in your words. You have so many issues to deal with . I hope you can get support through phone and text.

i feel some people forget about all those people with existing illnesses both physical and mental.
quirky

Hi Abbie

I totally understand what you are saying. I'm sending you a hug and a promise that you can go through this with us.

bb strong.

Kind thoughts to you

For Many of us who have broken the cycle of isolation/anxiety/depression it is a very worrying time,

My heart goes out to those who have to self isolate on their own (which is many I am sure)

Thank goodness we have forums like this to help us to communicate and to stay in touch.

please keep in touch as we are all in this together and are here to offer support in any way we can !!

Hello Moon,

Please lass don't worry about the myriad of conspiracy theories that will be raising their heads as this disease progresses. This is a virulent disease, to which none of us have any immunity as it is new, the actions being taken are to try & contain it. Nothing more, nothing less. Too many people today don't have any experience of the pandemics which my parents lived through, polio, Spanish flu, whooping cough, measles. My mother contracted polio as a girl, both my parents knew families who lost family members to those diseases.

If people start listening to all the rumours doing the rounds & dis-regarding the official sources then people will die in greater numbers than if the advise is followed.

Paws

Hey everyone,

May as well pop in here for another post after a week or two.

It's official: School holidays are set to begin Tuesday (tomorrow at the time of writing this post) and borders are shutting for non-residents.

As I move to online learning and delivering of resources, I feel my natural rhythm of daily life has been disrupted. I'm not used to this sudden change in behaviour, and I'm already finding it somewhat hard to continue daily habits. If there's at least one benefit, I'll say that I'm pressured to organise more efficiently.

I agree with Moonstruck in a previous post - our basic human rights are being stripped away, slowly if not immediately. Food prices rising. Toilet paper crazes. We may as well be the new "Italy" for the pandemic epicentre - our outbreak a few weeks after theirs. This needs to be a slow pandemic, not an overwhelming fast pandemic.

I also had a look at these "conspiracies" just for curiosity. Though they sound genuine, I don't want to flood my mind with extra fear when I'm already creeped out by 1/2 of students attending in my own school.

Home will hold for now, but I don't know what chain of events will be set in motion next.
JZ

Hi everyone,

Well I was pleasantly surprised as I went around town here this morning - everyone is suddenly keeping the proper distance as best they can, and everyone seems to be good humoured about it all and trying their best to be nice and in a coffee queue for take away we still were able to have a chat and a laugh from a 1.5 metre distance from each other! Hopefully now we might see some real community spirit instead of all the stockpiling etc.

Paws is right, when I was a kid at school there were several children in iron leg calipers who had to walk with crutches from contracting polio, it was a real fear of every parent. We haven't known things like that for a long time.

I'm really hoping now this challenge will bring out the best in our community as we try to keep good humoured and do our best to help stop the spread while being kind to each other. Take care everyone.

Hi guys,I’m new to the forums,so this is my very first reply.

i was sick last week so I missed my appointment with my psychologist and today my psychologist is sick so another missed appointment,that I was looking forward to.i have a weekly appointment,I felt anxious,then he sent an email about what might happen with future appointments due to Covid-19.wich upset me even more. He said depending on how your covered ,private health or work over etc.you may or may not be covered for a phone appointment or I’m guessing maybe FaceTime instead of face to face depending on what the government consider non essential.Well I say and most of you will agree that it definitely is extremely essential.

I have my support workers through NDIS. Just organised today to make sure I have weekend support from now on. Their plan is to take me and my dog out to isolated spots for hour sit, let Jimmy have a run, they are going to put a cooked meal in front of me each day and put meds on bench as I think I forgot to take them on Saturaday. I gueess this is going to be my new normal. excercise class is cancelled, think they are going to do via video somehow. Just as well they set me up with equipment at home. Had a talk with Salvos today and they said it was important to don't come in anymore as a volunteer as I'm to high risk. They are setting up people who are able to do calls to us and keep in touch on the phone. Also setting up weekly newsletter via email/post. Think its helped a bit today to get plan of action in place. Now to find loo paper next week when I shop.

Hello Everyone....🤗..

I was told today that my volunteer work with Vinnies is suspended until the reopen...also my mental health supporter isn’t allowed to do home visits anymore..I’m going to miss the face to face contact that she gave me..I understand their reason and don’t blame them..as we have to look after ourselves so does everyone else...

Maybe it’s time to give my old PlayStation 2 a bit of a run...I used to like playing Ratchet and Clank..God of War..and a few more..I have to get the duster out and dust them all down...

Take care everyone, stay safe, and isolated as much as you can...

Love, care and hugs to everyone who needs/wants.💜🌈🤗.

Grandy..

Nic64

I think welcome to the forum.

thanks so much for using your first post on this thread.

Phone calls, texting, skype, facetime, and other conferencing program will be necessary to keep in touch with medical professional family and friends.

welcome again to the forum.

I woke up panicky this morning, and it seems to be sticking with me. I can't concentrate on my uni work, and I did go out and do some panic shopping, although the shelves are still half empty and I've no idea what I even purchased to be honest. I have a psych appointment tomorrow and I'm glad that seems to be going ahead.

After reading this thread, I wish I had an old playstation! I'd like to lose myself in some Sonic the Hedgehog right now...

yeah for sure, a play station would help take a lot of people away from it all.

l've felt sick all day . l went out this morng over to another town for more groceries and parts for work this week , gone fw hrs. At first it was so nice being out and about and that town was bustling , hwy was packed , it was nice . But l noticed but about 1 heading home the town was down to about 20% of a few hrs ago and l pretty well had the hwy to myself,

luckily l've gotta work pretty hard and get a job finished this wk and getting stuck into it when l got back did help a little . l'll have a very busy week which this one at least , maybe a good thing .

I am totally petrified. Living with bipolar, anxiety and complex-PTSD.

I am mentally and emotionally exhausted. I now have 3 kids at home and have to deal with all of that.

Im in a new relationship and I’m trying to balance that without my new partner thinking I’m totally crazy.

I honestly don’t know how to cope. I know the platitudes of day by day, this too shall pass but I don’t really believe it. I was in the psych hospital last September and I worry this will push me back in again.

I kinda wish I could just wake up from this terrible nightmare and have this all be a horrible dream.

I feel a little nervous after watching the new updates. I keep reminding myself the whole world is in this together.

I’ll keep it simple.

Hi everyone. Hope everyone’s doing ok.

Try not to succumb to the fear and panic. Just take 1 day at a time (easier said than done though). Do not focus on what is out of your control. This is why I’m over the media, regardless of the relativity or accuracy of the news. It’s negative. Yes be informed but don’t be bombarded. Use common sense and stay safe.

Keep your mind busy in these times but don’t stress yourself out either. Take one day at a time. 👊👊

Hi all.

This whole crisis has topped me over the edge. I can barely live anymore. The new rules has destroyed all the life that I have given, broken everything that has given me to do. Young people like me are already being blamed by the government.

I can't do what they are telling me to. I will be labeled a enabler of death. I will somehow be responsible for the blood of hundreds of people for just existing. I can't sleep, I can't eat... every day I feel like the eyes are on us to be blamed for spreading this virus. Its all our fault.

They ruined my life. The social distancing requirements is a joke.

The government has basically assigned me a living, breathing permanent death. And I feel I can't go on anymore.

Dear SquireHarbour,
Thank you for being part of the beyondblue community forums.
We can hear that this is a very difficult time for you, we would like to support you through this time.
Please call us on - Beyond Blue, 13002204636
                               Suicide Call back service, 1300 659 467
or please call 000, if you need immediate assistance.


 

Hi SquireHarbour,

Sorry to hear that you are finding things really tough. When you live an active lifestyle, it would be hard to have to stop that and isolate yourself according to some very strong rules imposed by federal and state governments.

Don’t feel blamed for this crisis. It isn’t the fault of anyone but a collective community effort is required to defeat the virus. We are all in this together. The young, the middle aged and the old. We do it for each other to help one another survive these tough times.

One for all and all for one! We share the responsibility of slowing the spread but we don’t point the finger and blame a specific cause.

Young people can be leaders too. This is your time to shine. Tough and challenging times but let’s find whatever positives and opportunities we can to improve our society during these difficult days.

Take care mate.

Hi, if people need some distraction, there are some cute pics and videos to watch - it's #National Puppy Day on twitter! Enjoy!

Bipolar mum ,

Welcome to the forum and this thread and well done for making your first post.

You have so much to deal with no wonder you are exhausted and petrified.

I have bipolar .

I can relate to wishing the first months of the year were a nightmare and each morning I used to hope I would wake up in my own bed in my home but the reality was my home was destroyed in the fires.

You have children to deal with and a new relationship. Is there someone you can talk to , a GP, a support worker.

have lived with bipolar for many years and I too worry the fires and now the virus may affect me.

I read a meme on FB about controlling want you can and realising what you can't control.

I feel your pain and your worry. You can love you partner and your children, you have control over than. You can make sure you are looking after yourself both mentally and physically.

I know you are exhausted I am exhausted many days as I felt the worst thing was the fires but now I have self isolation and social distancing to cope with.

Is there anything you can do at home that you like doing, reading, writing, craft, music, movies singing.

There is a thread this bipolar life if you want to drop by and say hello as we are a friendly lot.

Quirky

How do you financially survive through this and how do you deal with self quarantine when your constantly lonely and dont want to loose a relationship by moving back in with parents because of having no way to support yourself

For those of us in isolation here are some good ideas to create around your home.

Try to create things you enjoy around your home

if you like going to cafe and reading paper, get a table and chair and make your own mini cafe in your lounge.

If you like sun baking grab a towel and bask in your own yard or even on your pergola

Have a quiet space where you can read a book

if you like going to the gym you may set up a mini gym

the list is endless

What I am trying to say is lets make our isolation exciting as possible to avoid the stress and anxiety it can bring.

Let me know if you have any ideas as ,would be great to hear them.

I'm not scared of the virus at all. Whats making me nervous is the governments/media reaction to all this. Our government is not giving Australians clear and consistent information, the state leaders and the federal government are not working as one and are just doing their own things.

so - I don't watch any of the media/government reports/updates.

I'm mentally preparing myself for work from home! Because my job affects my mental health (although I am very grateful to have a job) I dont like the idea of working from home. Right now, when I leave work - thats It, i can go home an just relax. I feel I wont be able to do the same if I were to work from home? Another issue I have is being stuck inside - what helps with my depression is getting out and about and I fear that I wont be able to get out as much as I usually do.

Having said that - I have decided that im going to start a little garden, ive bought myself a nintendo switch and im going to stock up on crossword books. If im going to be stuck inside im going to make myself as comfortable as possible. Im also going to try and exercise more and maybe even do yoga haha.

Ive said this before - but what really helps keeping me level headed is remembering that

These are tough - unprecedented times.

This will pass

we will get through this together

Things will get better!

I'm sick but too scared to get the test...

Also I'm so overwhelmed how everything has shut down. I can take get physio from the hospital, and the wait list for my semi urgent surgery is gonna be at least a year now. I can barely walk so it's getting to me.

And my social life has become non existent coz I only ever see/talk to people at community groups or at weekly magic nights. I can't handle social media. I gave up on it 6 months ago. I cant handle this isolation.

I'm scared of what my future will look like.

There are very few of my safe foods left on the shelves and with all this stress my eating disorder is getting worse. Im pretty sure I won't be able to go to treatment in Melbourne now coz of things.

I want to give up.

Hello everyone,

Moon, I think beyond Blue is showing the way but having threads like this plus articles on the web site. I also know that put out regular memes on Facebook , etc.

In past we didn't have Television or recently social media and so we weren't bombarded with doom and gloom.

In WW2 there were movies, lots of newspapers, news reels, local meetings etc. Of course now we have tv 24/7.

I realise uncertainity is hard to handle.

If our leaders say everything is fine and we will get through this and don't worry carry on. people would be angry when they find out this is not true for everyone.

. I listen to Norma Swann.

I know with the fires every second day it seemed that a statement said it would be a catastrophic day in my area. After a month of this , I like many others thought what do they know. So even when I left my house for the last time I was sure Id be back.

What would you like the govt to do in regard to messages to the public.

Quirky

I was just talking to my neighbour who is a retired Registered Nurse but remains on call at our regional hospital in this town if she is needed. She had just had a call from the Emergency Department here because they can't cope with the numbers of people seeking help.

She was saying it takes five highly qualified nurses to run a ventilator, and them plus another five doctors to run even more sophisticated equipment, and we are short of this equipment in Australia and especially regional areas. We are also short of highly qualified registered nurses and they are tired.

People are being asked to help our hospital staff cope by spatial distancing and not going out so much, in order that our medical and nursing and paramedical staff don't get overloaded, exhausted and ill themselves. If they become overloaded, then they will not be able to deal with someone who comes in by ambulance with a ruptured appendix, or from a car accident, or an injured child.

This is the social contract - that we sometimes have to do things to help other people among us. I know it's scary and uncomfortable and tough, but we are asked to do this to help people like my neighbour who is far from young but still prepared to leave her ill husband and go down and work a shift at the local ED to help people who are sick. We are asked to make some sacrifices for people in our community who are vulnerable. Eventually this virus will pass, but it will take some time. In the meantime, do please try to help the people at the frontline like my neighbour, and help to stop this virus infecting so many people that they are overloaded. Thanks everyone.

I have found the most challenging parts of the pandemic has been grocery shopping and my sleep quality.

I used to have to set the alarm and wake up in the middle of the night to go to Coles which was open 24 hours. Then online ordering became available and I have used that ever since. Now that the supermarkets have temporarily suspended online ordering I am struggling going in to supermarkets which have tended to be crowded and the empty shelves are very eerie. I ended up leaving without purchasing anything. I have a vegie garden so for the time being I am going to be living off that and rationing what I currently have in the pantry and freezer.

I have been trying lots of strategies from the SLEEP forum thread but at the moment I am accepting that I am struggling with sleep that is ok, and I am just trying to do as many relaxing/meditative activities as possible and not worrying so much about not being able to sleep well.

I might be an introvert but I’m an outgoing introvert. I still like to go out occasionally n do things on my own. That’s not soo easy now.

one thing I do like to do is bake and cook. For the love of god I can’t get plain flour 🙁. I need some flour.

cooking is therapeutic for me. I pray these panic buyers settle down soon.

Mate I feel like that sometimes. I’m waiting on surgical boot making (height increase) from Fiona stanly due to my left leg. That ain’t gonna happen now.

what’s hard is this situation didn’t give us much prep/transition time. January was good, and then February/March went crazy.

I been eating lots more sugar 😩, which I shouldn’t. Mainly due to the fact that I can’t get the items I want, like any stewing steak, gravy beef or chuck steak, flour etc etc cuz everyone else bought it out. I’m gonna have to do other recipes.

chin up mate 👊👊

Hi Andre, I enjoy baking and cooking too. My partner has been joking that if I run out of ingredients I may have to tap into my inner child and make mud pies outside!!!

I find that the worst part about this panic buying is the idea that everyone has this "every man for himself" attitude. It scares me more than the virus! A friend told me that my local IGA store has now implemented a limit of 2 of each product (not just limits on toilet paper and staple products) to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to purchase. I guess that idea is fine for couples or singles but it would make things trickier for larger families. Although I cannot really come up with a better solution to stopping panic buyers/hoarders.