[Merope]

Sorry, ignore this, it's a dumb question.

[ElectricManatee]

Oh, I'm sorry to see this gone. Based on the thread title, I thought it could be an interesting conversation.

[Merope]

I'm not really sure what I was trying to say, to be honest. It made sense and then reading back, it didn't. I think I'm struggling to put what I'm feeling into words right now because of my anxiety--if i find a better wat to express myself i will post this again.

[LostOnTheTrail]

I thought what you were saying made perfect sense - the pandemic is impacting all of us, but there are specific ways it's impacting us that aren't related to the pandemic itself.

For me, it's the fact that it's happening now, at a period of time where I need more support...not less, due to trauma anniversaries.

[Merope]

I think it has a lot to do with needing support right now, thank you for this Lost. I think I find the lockdown threatening from that perspective. It's like I'm locked in my own head in the middle of a panic attack and also have to rely on T less. Whenever I bring the pandemic up with him I feel selfish and ungrateful and whiny because everyone else is going through the same thing. I feel like I'm burdening whilst at the same time i feel like I'm going mad being stuck at home.

[ElectricManatee]

I struggle a little with feeling like some of my pandemic-related frustrations or anxieties are valid when I have it so much better than so many people do. I don't like remote therapy, but I'm grateful that I have access to it and I can still afford it. And I feel like my usual problems are very small in comparison to people being sick and dying. I know it's okay to feel different things at once and to be concerned about daily life stuff when there are also bigger problems in the world. It's just uncomfortable.

[LostOnTheTrail]

Glad I could help, @Merope.

Totally relate to 'feel like I'm going mad being stuck at home.'

[ElectricManatee]

Originally Posted by Merope

I think it has a lot to do with needing support right now, thank you for this Lost. I think I find the lockdown threatening from that perspective. It's like I'm locked in my own head in the middle of a panic attack and also have to rely on T less. Whenever I bring the pandemic up with him I feel selfish and ungrateful and whiny because everyone else is going through the same thing. I feel like I'm burdening whilst at the same time i feel like I'm going mad being stuck at home.

Does it help to think that your T probably enjoys being able to do his job and help you during all this? I know my T feels good when she is able to step up and help during times of crisis. We are indeed all going through the same thing, but everybody is experiencing some degree of negative emotions and everybody deserves support.

[Merope]

Thank you for the perspective ElectricManatee. I suspect T is happy to be able to still help and to still have some sort of normal routine. We touched on this briefly last time and he put my mind at ease....it's just hard to remember feeling ok about it when anxious. I think that generally speaking, the more one can help, the better they feel. I was chatting to a good friend who works as a doctor in a covid intensive care unit and he was saying similar things--that he is grateful to be able to help others and do his job.

[Train of Thought]

Thanks for the question, Merope.
I agree with the others it's very interesting and gives me the opportunity to say this:
Aaaaargh and just when I managed to actually accomplish starting(yes only starting but still) to get things in motion.
Last year was a hard year with many setbacks and the climax was the loss of two close family members in december.
Getting a hold of the situation was... exhausting and still is. And the new situation rn isn't helping because my family and I would need some time together but we have to stay apart, now of all times.
Some things are on hold now that I just managed to set in motion and it's just sucked out all my energy that I scrambled to activate.

honestly I never really thought about it

I suppose how long is it going to take for the world to get back to normal.

will it ever fully get back to normal?

are we now going to live in a new geniration of social distancing. I am sure even after it's over a lot of people will be shaken by it for a long time

There's a chance my husband may be laid off from his job. That is a very distressing thought. It would surely upend our lives, quickly.

[Merope]

Originally Posted by BirdDancer

There's a chance my husband may be laid off from his job. That is a very distressing thought. It would surely upend our lives, quickly.

I’m so sorry to hear that! I hope it won’t be the case!

[Mountaindewed]

Getting back to work after being off for awhile and looking different. Also just facing everyone. Family members, mental health professionals, other people. After being in hiding for awhile. I’m just a bit nervous about it.

[divine1966]

Economic recession and perhaps depression (I mean economic not mental health). Stock market crash. Losing investments. Losing savings for retirement. It’s quite scary for many people involved.

[lizardlady]

I'm afraid I'm going to lose my job. In addition to all the economic consequences that'll have for me, who is going to make sure the kids I counsel are okay?

[MuseumGhost]

I've been trying to take it day-by-day, as that's enough for me, and about all I can handle.

My anxiety was worse 3 weeks ago. We've been able to settle into a new little routine here, and it hasn't gone badly---so I actually feel grateful and more relaxed.

The financial aspects of it all, however, leave me with a big giant question mark over my head. I am very well-acquainted with what people go through when times are tough.

I really hope the experts come up with a viable vaccine quickly, and that things can return to normal ASAP.

[Blank Canvas]

I'm trying to get my first job but without much experience (despite the diploma) and the whole lockdown + economic crisis looming in the close future.
Well, it hasn't gone all that well.
At least, it allows me to learn Japanese...gotta be positive.
Good luck to everyone

[Row Jimmy]

Gone? Yeah well I'm posting anyway.

My biggest anxiety is listening to all the fat cat corporations telling me they're "here" for me during the corona crisis. I'm so thankful Toyota and Citibank are thinking of me in my time of need. Oh let's talk triggers here.

Anxieties that I have been facing are now staring me in the face. I feel forced to respond in ways I was hesitant to before. Small steps towards normalcy brings me closer to normal than I felt before the start of pandemic COV19 but I do fear most for those who have been infected with coronavirus and are unable to find treatment for themselves and those around them.

[TheOriginalMe]

My concern is that the rest of the world gets back to normal and I get left behind. As an unpaid caregiver who also has a job working from home has robbed me of my independence. I used to be able to walk out of the door in the morning and for 8 hours I could be me. Now I have lost that and I feel invisible.

[*Beth*]

This is an excellent question. It helps us feel less isolated, more a part of a community.

I think my biggest anxiety is returning to the isolated life I had before the shut-down. Now everyone is isolated, so we all know what it feels like. When the shut-down is over I will be delighted to be able to have freedom again...but will continue to feel very alone. I know that.

Still, even gong to the grocery store without feeling tense, going to the clinic where my mental health providers are, and having surgery I need on my achilles tendon - all those things will be such a relief.

[The_little_didgee]

I'm not working at the moment, because the company has temporarily shutdown. Will the company survive this? If they do, will they fire all the new apprentices (I'm one of them) they just hired?

What is going to happen to the economy?

I'm presenting in school finishing up a trades program. Will I be able to complete the final semester which is supposed to take place this spring and summer?

Not knowing what is going to happen has been torture at times.

I really feel for all those who have been laid off and/or lost their job or are dealing with that possibility.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by The_little_didgee

I'm not working at the moment, because the company has temporarily shutdown. Will the company survive this? If they do, will they fire all the new apprentices (I'm one of them) they just hired?

What is going to happen to the economy?

I'm presenting in school finishing up a trades program. Will I be able to complete the final semester which is supposed to take place this spring and summer?

Not knowing what is going to happen has been torture at times.

I really feel for all those who have been laid off and/or lost their job or are dealing with that possibility.

That's a lot of stress.

[July131990]

Being trapped , lost in my own thoughts , mostly wanting affection . Boyfriend lives a half hour away. I don't get hugs otherwise and I need them cause my anxiety is out of control