Hi:)

[VoidzQueen]

Hello everyone

Just wanted to say hi and hope that everyone is holding up ok!!
I've suffered from GAD for many years, but have tried to control it/deal with it myself (usually not very successfully) without meds. I live alone and would normally be very close to my family/friends I'd see them everyday. With all of this happening in the world, I haven't been able to see them in over a week. I haven't left the house at all for 8 days, which at the beginning was ok but recently I've started to feel as though I'm unable to cope. I feel scared and am crying all the time, can't sleep or eat. Can't really concentrate to do anything but overthink. I'm worried about my parents trying to cope alone, petrified that they'll catch this as they're both in at risk groups. I'm worried about all the nurses and doctors who have to fight on the front line and wonder how they can possibly sustain this pressure? I'm worried about all the people already sick who aren't able to get their treatment as the health service is stretched right now. Sorry to go on but I don't know where else to turn

 

[Cuchculan]

Welcome to the forum. Sadly a lot of what is going on out there is out of all of our hands. We can only try our best to follow the basic rules they tell us to follow. Not easy at all. The world all but changed in a period of a few weeks. A lot of countries are playing catch up. Just keep in touch with your parents via phone. A lot of areas have people helping those at risk. Doing their shopping for them and the likes. My own mother is 80 and I can't even manage to stop her going out. Try as I might. She won't listen. Likes her morning walk to the shops. That does be it for the day. But she refuses to sit in. Says it would drive her crazy. I have stopped trying to talk her out of it. She is aware of the risks. Accepts them. Not easy at all. As I do worry about her. That is life. All has changed out there.

 

[Hurt&Hopeful]

Hey, and welcome! Are you all alone at your house? That does sound incredibly hard. First, give yourself some grace - it's ok to be scared right now or cry. A lot of people are, and feeling lonely and isolated and worried. I suspect we'll have a big surge of anxiety over the coming weeks, even after this is all over.

Because this is such a unique circumstance, it might now be a bad idea to try some new treatment options to help you get through it? I know health Care is stretched, but do you have a doctor you could call?

 

[VoidzQueen]

Hi Cuchculan and Hurt&Hopeful Thank you both so much for replying. Just typing my post the other day has made things a little more bearable and knowing there are sites such as these to come to and get advice/chat helps too. Cuchculan, my dad is exactly the same. They are just from that generation where they can't sit down and this is hell for them. This in turn, makes us even more anxious knowing they are out putting themselves and other at risk

Because this is such a unique circumstance, it might now be a bad idea to try some new treatment options to help you get through it? I know health Care is stretched, but do you have a doctor you could call?

I'll see how things go over the next few weeks Yes, if it continues, I will have to contact the doctor to see about getting treatment. I'm sure I won't be the only one in these horrible times. How are both of you holding up?

 

[Hurt&Hopeful]

Hi Cuchculan and Hurt&Hopeful Thank you both so much for replying. Just typing my post the other day has made things a little more bearable and knowing there are sites such as these to come to and get advice/chat helps too. Cuchculan, my dad is exactly the same. They are just from that generation where they can't sit down and this is hell for them. This in turn, makes us even more anxious knowing they are out putting themselves and other at risk

I'll see how things go over the next few weeks Yes, if it continues, I will have to contact the doctor to see about getting treatment. I'm sure I won't be the only one in these horrible times. How are both of you holding up?

You're most welcome! And I meant to type that it might NOT be a bad idea to look for help, not might NOW be a bad idea. Lol Darn phone...

I'm holding up okay in general. Been struggling a lot the last couple of days, mostly because I have a six year old who is an only child and is really lonely. We got him a rescue puppy this week, and that's helping, but with no end in sight for this, it's just kind of depressing. But I am working through it. Are you feeling any better today?

 

[smilingsoul]

Welcome VoidzQueen. This is a good place to write out all that stuff that rattles around between your ears. Many of us have similar conditions, and we all know the separation it can build between us and the people who love us but can't really understand what its like. I feel very fortunate that my dad and his wife are camp hosts at national parks. My dad is 83, and had a lung collapse from an undiagnosed case of tuberculosis back in his 30's. He's always been pretty healthy despite that, but his age and his compromised lungs probably have him in a terrible risk group. All the national parks are closed though, so its just the two of them, plus some mule deer and the occasional bear for about 50 miles in any direction. My 77 yr old mom lives in the Gold Country of California, which isn't quite as remote, but my younger brother and his wife live with her and have taken on any visits that might put her at risk (groceries, post office). My wife's mom lives in a low density retirement village, but is healthy as a horse and naturally introverted so she's fine keeping her distance. She's got a bridge club, but they've been playing Hearts on some phone app and seem to be enjoying themselves.

 

[Cuchculan]

Think we do the best we can. We know what is out there. Have convinced the mother to stay in for the next 2 weeks. Which means me doing all the shopping. Flip of a coin really when you think about it. She could sit in and do nothing. I could go out and catch it and bring it home and she still catches it. She is aware of that one. She tried to use every trick in the book to keep going out. Typical of her. Here in Dublin we have the most cases in Ireland. Slap bang in the middle of it all. As we are by the coast, I am hoping most cases are more inland in the more congested areas. Just try and stay strong. Maybe skype your friends. Group chat each evening. Is a whole new world out there at the moment.

 

[VoidzQueen]

You're most welcome! And I meant to type that it might NOT be a bad idea to look for help, not might NOW be a bad idea. Lol Darn phone...

I'm holding up okay in general. Been struggling a lot the last couple of days, mostly because I have a six year old who is an only child and is really lonely. We got him a rescue puppy this week, and that's helping, but with no end in sight for this, it's just kind of depressing. But I am working through it. Are you feeling any better today?

That must be tough for you and for him, at the moment. Although I'm sure it's lovely to have the company of your son and gives you something to focus on, it likely also introduces additional worries for you I've a little bit of an idea how that must feel as my nephew is 5 and is also an only child. He and I would be extremely close. My sister's at home with her partner home schooling and entertaining him and I know she's finding this all very depressing and unsettling. My nephew has sent me many videos trying to cheer ME up and it just breaks my heart how he's missing enjoying his first year at school which he loved, and all his friends. A rescue puppy is actually a really good idea. How's that going so far?

I'm not too bad today thank you Had quite a good day yesterday as spoke with good friends and tried to focus on some cleaning etc. Might do more of the same today, it's a good distraction! Hope that you're well?

Welcome VoidzQueen. This is a good place to write out all that stuff that rattles around between your ears. Many of us have similar conditions, and we all know the separation it can build between us and the people who love us but can't really understand what its like. I feel very fortunate that my dad and his wife are camp hosts at national parks. My dad is 83, and had a lung collapse from an undiagnosed case of tuberculosis back in his 30's. He's always been pretty healthy despite that, but his age and his compromised lungs probably have him in a terrible risk group. All the national parks are closed though, so its just the two of them, plus some mule deer and the occasional bear for about 50 miles in any direction. My 77 yr old mom lives in the Gold Country of California, which isn't quite as remote, but my younger brother and his wife live with her and have taken on any visits that might put her at risk (groceries, post office). My wife's mom lives in a low density retirement village, but is healthy as a horse and naturally introverted so she's fine keeping her distance. She's got a bridge club, but they've been playing Hearts on some phone app and seem to be enjoying themselves.

Hello Thank you very much for your welcome message, smilingsoul, it meant a lot. That's very fortunate, in the circumstances, that your dad lives at a national park and is somewhat secluded away from the world, as such. It must also ease your worries about your mum, knowing that your brother and family are looking after her. Sounds as though your wife's mother is happy enough too and that she's having the time of it lol

Yes I'm finding this site good so far, as it definitely helps to get out a lot of my thoughts and not keep them all inside my head. I'm finding the "one day at a time" cliché helps a little too, as I have a tendency to worry about "what if's" and ruminate on what's going to happen "tomorrow". I keep trying to remember that each day has it's own worries and to deal with them one day at a time; tomorrow's worries will come soon enough.

 

[VoidzQueen]

Think we do the best we can. We know what is out there. Have convinced the mother to stay in for the next 2 weeks. Which means me doing all the shopping. Flip of a coin really when you think about it. She could sit in and do nothing. I could go out and catch it and bring it home and she still catches it. She is aware of that one. She tried to use every trick in the book to keep going out. Typical of her. Here in Dublin we have the most cases in Ireland. Slap bang in the middle of it all. As we are by the coast, I am hoping most cases are more inland in the more congested areas. Just try and stay strong. Maybe skype your friends. Group chat each evening. Is a whole new world out there at the moment.

That's great news that your mum has been persuaded to stay in. Ha oh I don't I know it, they'll try and use every trick in the book to get out that door She's still able to go for a walk everyday, so that will maybe help her. Do you live with her? I was going to move in with my parents for a while, but I was afraid I could potentially be a carrier, so decided it was too risky. They only live a 2 minute walk away, which is good! When I finally work up the courage to go out into the "big scary world" I'll probably just leave groceries on their doorstep when they need essentials
So you're in Dublin. I've heard that there are many cases in Dublin I'm in Ireland too, a small town Carrickfergus, just outside Belfast. Think that Belfast has a lot of cases also, it seems to be the cities that are getting hit the worst. …. Yes, it does help to chat to friends and to know that everyone's going through the same things. Also been playing words with friends on the phone with randomers, which is a good distraction

 

[Cuchculan]

I live at home. You know how it is in Ireland. The mother can't get rid of us. Any other country and they are pushed out of the house by 18. Not in Ireland. God bless the Irish Mammy. Dublin has over 58 percent of all the cases down here. Cork is next with about 18 percent. Belfast is getting hit bad too. Maybe this virus will bring all sides together. As it will not care which religion they are. Kill and infect anybody. Cities with most people in them. We are the most populated city. That is who is getting it the worst. Stay safe up there. Hope your folks are safe too.

 

[VoidzQueen]

I live at home. You know how it is in Ireland. The mother can't get rid of us. Any other country and they are pushed out of the house by 18. Not in Ireland. God bless the Irish Mammy. Dublin has over 58 percent of all the cases down here. Cork is next with about 18 percent. Belfast is getting hit bad too. Maybe this virus will bring all sides together. As it will not care which religion they are. Kill and infect anybody. Cities with most people in them. We are the most populated city. That is who is getting it the worst. Stay safe up there. Hope your folks are safe too.

Haha, I know we're all especially close to our mammys here in Ireland, which is one of the many things I love about us Thank you, same to you and yours!!!