Life during lockdown

I fully appreciate that this situation must be very stressful and anxiety-inducing for some people. I hope that anyone who is so affected can gain support and comfort.

However, some of the reporting is almost as though we SHOULD be suffering from these problems. I hope that this is not a self-fulfilling prophecy.

I suffer from severe depression and anxiety, have tried suicide twice over the years and since i am not able to visit people, not allowed on public transport or to go anywhere unless it's absolutley vital i am basically housebound.

I can't walk far due to a severley damaged spine and fibromialgia so can't go anywhere without severe pain.

There is no mental health help available to physically see anyone except A&E who are probably busier than usual.

I fear I may try to and it again soon.

Parks must be kept open.When your locked in your for most of the Day a visit to park for short period is must .....

It would be good if large organisations like Kew gardens and the national trust opened their grounds for people to walk and if the police didn't make it hard for people to get green exercise by shutting parks and carparks in parks. Very bad for people's mental and physical health.

 Re joggers and cyclists:

We are a family of 5 living in a tiny flat with no balcony or garden. We stay in all the time, just go out for food shopping. We are all worried of catching covid from the runners and cyclists who have no consideratiin for children/walkers/anyone but themselves.

They are sweaty and inconsiderate!!! France has the right idea letting them run before 10 am and after 7 pm, at least walkers and children would be kept safe. I don't go out at all because of being scared they are panting the virus all over me and my kids. They must be stopped by law seen as they obviously don't care about others who need some fresh air and to get out off their prison flats.  
 

They are not the only ones who need the parks let alone the pavements!

Up to 2 weeks ago, I was visiting my sister-in-law Pat once a week to take her home-cooked food, take the dog for a walk, sort out the shopping, washing and housework and give her a bit of company.  However, she was told by the district nurse to discontinue my visits and to get rid of the dog (she cannot take him out for walks as she has poor mobility and is diabetic.)  The loss of this, my only contact with a human in real life, has hit me very hard and I have been struggling with depression ever since.  I know the medical reasons for the nurse's advice, but i'm seeing far fewer people than medical personnel are.  The dog, meanwhile, has gone to Pat's daughter, so he's OK.  i started visiting because my partner (and Pat's brother) died in her garden last summer whilst cutting the hedge; he used to visit weekly to do jobs for her, too.  It was very traumatic for both of us and for me, it came on top of losing two close friends in quick succession.  

I was having regular counselling sessions to deal with the multiple bereavements, but now that has stopped.  All the clubs and activities I had started last year as a means of coping with the losses have ceased, my family all live at least 150 miles away and I have unpleasant neighbours on one side.  It was the anniversary of my mother's death last autumn and her funeral in January, then I had another friend's funeral to go to , which was an ordeal to say the least.  So it is very hard to find a reason for my continued existence, let alone a purpose in life - even church services aren't available any longer.  I have tried to occupy myself with useful activities, but it all feels like killing time.  Having group chats is better than nothing, but what would really make me feel better would be having a hug from a real-life person, rather than emojis and messages of support, albeit well-meant.  

And this could last till Christmas?

I am  enjoying the lockdown. I have three young children aged between 1 and 7 and work full time. This is the most amount of time I've ever been able to spend with my children.  Usually their extra curricular activities and visits to extended family over the weekend mean we spend very little time at home together.  The lock down also means that we can have undisturbed family time too- being of Indian subcontinent background the extended family is important but it can also be very intrusive. In a month or two I would probably feel different but for now I'm treasuring the extra time with my children. 

I'm finding it hugely challenging. I'm not in any 'danger' group, but I have a mother in her 80s I must protect, and a partner in Holland whom I won't see until kingdom come. I can't do my job as it involved a public, so I can't earn money. I am ok financially, for now. If this goes on and on, I won't be. I miss my life of work and travel, and never ever wanted the interior domestic life I'm now living. I miss my friends. I walk every day, trying to avoid the aggressive runners and adult skateboarding idiots out there. I clean and cook, neither of which I like. I volunteer and try to help out the older people around me.... but I feel like someone stole my life. I don't trust the government to know how to end this. The only thing I love is that it's quiet as usually, I'm plagued by planes landing at Heathrow! And the air is cleaner. We'll all change after this. I hope at least it's for the better! 

I live with a chronic alcoholic. I should have moved and everything is on hold obviously. I am very anxious all the time because of still living in this hell hole, feeling so lonely and not knowing what contact he has had and bringing germs home - he is not clean! I work in school too so this is extra stress. 

Mental and physical health adversely affected by the lockdown. Not being able to be sociable is alien to my nature. Not totally convinced that lockdown was the best overall way to go.

I suffer from dissociation and have been advised to self-isolate for health reasons. I find it hard to ask for help at the best of times, not recognising when I'm at risk as I dont process my emotions. Whilst my GP has been brilliant we are having to second guess my treatment for physical health problems as there is no access to specialist treatment. Suicidal ideation lingers as my health declines.

The lockdown per se hasn't made my anxiety worse. What's pushing me to the edge is the fact that those who keep the system going are, as ever, the undervalued - and those who reap the most benefits from the system are useless at best and doing damage at worst. I feel one step closer to a coronary every time I read about: 1) yet another tax-dodging, free-market-lover, millionaire CEO asking the government for a bailout 2) women having to care for their elder relatives and children twice as much as before - while men do little to nothing 3) women being stuck at home with violent partners and calling domestic abuse charities in record numbers while the government sits idly by 4) NHS staff being told to use aprons amid shortages of PPE. 

I live alone and have had no-one over my doorstep for five weeks. Several reasons for lock -down - 89 and various health problems, I'm computer -literate and use WhatsApp and Zoom, a Quaker who has a choice of twice daily silent 15 minute Meetings on WhatsApp, and an active member of U3A with several online groups. I also have a front garden where I can sit and chat to neighbours or passers-by, plus people who shop for me.  Have regained contact with friends I've not seen for years; In many ways I'm very privileged, BUT I can't walk far at the best of times so being restricted shouldn't matter. My current park is the rear of a car park when I venture for a very short walk round the block. Am used to being alone - I'm a writer -  but I like to have the choice - eating very meal at home alone, not having coffee or lunch with friends, not being able to support a daughter with mental health problems who lives alone  150 miles away and can't cope leads to the occasional dark day. The thought of being in lock-down for many months is unbearable. As a former very active person I feel  useless that I can do nothing practical tp help. beyond the odd donation to Foodbanks etc.  I'm not seriously depressed but I do think mental health is in almost as much need of support as the physical. Keeping a brave face in front of family is sometimes hard work. I never thought I'd long to be able to go into a supermarket and shop.