Pandemic Stress, Pandemic Continuous Traumatic Stress, Tribalism Coping, & More!

Something definitely going on here (with govt I mean!) First PM made a 5 min televised statement yesterday. Today the leader of the opposition party made a 5 min statement about the PM's statement and covid! (this has never happened before like this..just a 5min pre-recorded..no press)


Another one (MP) said they can't guarantee schools will go back after xmas..I think we're heading for another lockdown!


They seem to be trying to hold off until after xmas day so the country can have a better xmas but they've told people to work from home again and urging everyone to get boosted or get vaccinated (for those that haven't).


I'm still waiting for someone to contact me about mine, hope it will be this week!

@InkyTinks - Does PM = Prime Minister?

What is it like in your country when you have lockdowns? Do they bring you food/groceries, toilet paper, and other essentials? Can you shop online for contactless door deliveries or mail deliveries? Can you easily purchase good quality masks in case you need to go outside for something that you lawfully can go outside for?

I don't think the US will have any lockdowns. I think it's a "go out at your own risk" and "fend for yourself" country we live in now. No one cares; it's individualism at its worst. I only see the need for lockdowns when there are too many unvaccinated persons and too many cases and too many filled ICU rooms in any given area. Travel restrictions would help, but too many people complain that it won't. That's the only way Omicron had spread so quickly to the entire world, including the county where I live (we have one identified case here because many people, including my own T, travels). It drives me crazy how people still act as if we're not in a pandemic, and as if we can easily let people get sick and die without truly empathizing with the horrors that the elderly, disabled, and immunocompromised face.

I don't like lockdowns because I don't know how dangerous that could be for criminals who can take advantage during lockdowns, especially domestic and intimate partner violence situations. Childhood abuse and increases in foster care (children removed from their homes) have increased so much where I live that the news is stating there aren't enough social workers to fill that need, and there aren't enough foster parents willing to take any children in. It's sad. And we're not even in a lockdown era, and the schools remain open. I think there are particular rules about children showing up sick and symptomatic, where their parents don't care if their kids remain unmasked and spread the virus to others. They see it as "God's will" in some jurisdictions, and they also see it as their "right for freedom" in others. Lockdowns would only mean more superspreading events and violent outbreaks in our area because everyone is packing their rifles, semiautomatics, concealed weapons, and other firearms out here, and so many extremist groups claim that they are prepared to fight if they get any lockdowns or mask mandates. It's really awful out here with those kinds of threats.

But I think that lockdowns make sense to slow the spread, if there were adequate food and household supplies available, and if there were financial breaks on certain things like rent, utilities, and otherwise. I really feel for the parents who lack the support they need to watch their children 24/7 though. They are the most overwhelmed out of everyone else.

I'm all for lockdowns if it truly means that eradication of this virus is possible, but that would mean the entire would would need to lockdown at the exact same time - in real time, such that no one is traveling, no one is going out for non-essentials, bars and events are shut down, etc. If the incubation period is 2 weeks, and if the risk of spread continues for like about a month, then the world locking down for one month could mean eradicating this virus and perhaps others altogether, if and only if the animals are also contained as well.

But I don't see that happening at all, lest wars break out. And wars are already breaking out in certain countries.

It's just sad how this all panned out.

Sorry to hear that @InkyTinks

I hope you can get your booster soon.

Yes sorry I keep forgetting I'm talking to people at the other side of the world sometimes..lol!

PM=Prime Minister

MP= Member of Parliament

For the first lockdown they had what they called a CV or CEV list which means Clinically Vulnerable (Diabetes, Neuro conditions etc) and Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (cancer patients with no immune system after chemo, organ transplant patients) and if a person was on it they could get prescriptions and food delivered.

As I was already mostly housebound I already get a supermarket delivery of my food and my prescriptions get delivered anyway. I don't work so only really had to worry about getting my dog out safely.


In the first one there was also a scheme for workers ..the word escapes me at the minute!..but basically meant people still got full pay even if they had to stay home.


The govt are very reluctant to bring these back cos basically it cost them a load of money...though would have cost them more if our medical system had gone down under the pressure, as some did in other countries in Europe.


In July ..I think it was? ..they scrapped the CEV lists..so apparently we don't exist anymore! ..my life hasn't changed much as I already had that stuff arranged but for those who previously worked and had then had to shield..they've had to make tough decisions...not everyone's employers have let them continue to work from home..or their job was not one they could do from home so they got sacked or had to leave...if they wanted to choose to remain shielding.

Living rurally I always make sure I have enough food in, in case a food shop can't get here (snow) or some other emergency happens..so me and doggy are fine, but many others are worse off.

I try and keep busy but I tire easily as I get chronic fatigue too and the arthritis pain affects my neck and shoulders too in winter..sometimes it's all I can manage to throw some clothes on and get my dog out once and make something to eat...and I wouldn't even manage that if I didn't have a mobility scooter for outside!

I play video games a lot cos they don't require much energy and being focused on them distracts me from the constant Tinnitus.


Sorry this is turning into an essay lol!!

I like your writings! No need for apologies!

Your country sounds like they are doing everything in their power to balance the economy with public safety, and it truly seems like your country cares about all its members by the way they employ and deploy equity and inclusivity.

The USA lacks such tenets, as we're more of an individualist nation with a "fend for yourself" kind of social system, political system, healthcare system, educational system, filial system (parental rights versus children's rights - both pegged against one another vis-a-vis the criminal justice system, the juvenile justice system, parens patriae systems, therapeutic jurisprudence, the child welfare system, and the family court system), and our overall culture. This drives both the left and the right in terms of their definitions of "freedom" in our country. We're very far from collectivism, which is more so what countries like yours offer for the nation's well-being as a whole, as all inclusive in the struggle, and as prioritizing healthcare so that people can build into the economy. I'm really saddened to see our country fall so short, as evidenced by the Coronavirus statistics, even though our economic statistics may still reveal we are competitive in global capitalism. Here, capitalism literally "trumps" (pun intended) public safety, and individualism is seen as "patriotic," whereas collectivist public safety efforts are seen as "socialism" or "communism," which are two "dirty words" in the US-based English language.

I love my country, and I will defend it - even whilst disabled - should we get attacked by other countries, but I'm aware of our flaws, too. Our democracy is dying, and we're slowly turning into a divided fascist country with sovereign states. If it gets any worse, another civil war is likely to ensue. Just ask any historian and/or cultural anthropologist of the warning signs that occurred globally and locally before a revolutionary war broke out.

That's a real shame! I don't know much about the US only what I've seen on TV shows. I've never been abroad unless you count the Republic of Ireland ..which is considered separate to Northern Ireland even more so now as they're still in the EU!


The places I like to watch about on TV aren't wheelchair accessible anyway! I love nature documentaries ...watching snow leopards in the Himalayas, Huskies sledding over the Arctic Tundra's and stuff like that...though our country gets cold enough for me in winter couldn't cope with their minus temps.. -40 and below!!


Can't cope with too much heat either...our houses aren't built with air conditioning in like houses in hotter climates are. For now we rarely go below -10C (winter) or go above 30C (summer heatwaves) and very rarely consecutive days but with global warming as it is who knows!!


Our press can't seem to decide whether we're heading for an ice age or living in the sahara!

Have to go sort out doggy..I'll come back on later!

Have a good walk with doggy!

I like seeing scenery online when I can't get out - in this case, throughout my 2-year-and-growing isolation.

I had no idea Ireland is split.

But then again, if the US keeps up with its extreme polarization, we might be splitting. Oregon is already considering splitting and then joining with Idaho, instead of becoming their own 51st state or something. But at the rate the USA is going with their politics, we might be the "divided" states of America, whereby the right-winged conservatives (republicans/red) will have their own states, and the left-winged liberals (democrats/blue) will have their own as well. Perhaps the moderates and independents (known sometimes as "unaffiliates"/purple) would be vocal enough to chime in for a third split, but who knows; they've been pretty unpopular and silent most years. The "United" part of the States of America might be more of the Tri-Divided States of America if we aren't careful. I'm sure then then red states would reinstate the slave trade and all its bigotry and bring back the original Constitution, barring all amendments; the purple states would add more amendments to their Constitution; and the blue states would abolish the Constitution altogether and form a new Constitution or whatever name they deem appropriate, so as to differentiate themselves from being part of such politics. The red states would be fascist and sovereign states with a dictatorship - very similar to communism, even though they claim to hate that. The purple states would attempt to find balance, but they, too, will have ongoing polarization issues with some democracy, but still a lot of capitalism; they might lean more toward liberty and avoid socialism, communism, and fascism altogether. The blue states would become ultra liberal, ultra democratic, and a socialist state (but still avoid communism, unlike what others may think or consider).

This is where our USA's divided political think is headed.

well our PM has been on telly again! ... to depress us all with statistics on how much Omicron is doubling!!


People are basically being told to be selective about who they socialise with so they don't ruin their own xmas day! (by getting it!) ..won't be a problem here I've only been seeing sibling anyway! ,,not very helpful advice for those who still have to work or have kids in school!



I tried emailing my Dr's again about the booster but they can't even tell me if I will get mine before xmas or after! ..so no idea what's going on there! Maybe too many nurses already have to be off cos they had symptoms and can't visit housebound patients??


I got more food in for my dog before things get bad (delivery drivers/postmen struck down etc) and a new high viz coat for him as we're often setting off in the dark to get to playing field as its getting light...they should arrive tomorrow so early morning for us to get out and back to wait for them to arrive! ..then 'batten down the hatches' time! ...no more deliveries or contact until I see family xmas day and hopefully none of them will have it either by then, so we don't have to cancel! ..unfortunately they do have to work as they are 'keyworkers' - doing jobs that can't be done from home

Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom with England and Scotland, right? While the south is the Republic of Ireland, a separate country.

In the U.S., we have a surplus of vaccines. It's sad to hear other countries like yours struggling with giving out boosters/vaccines. I'm so sorry @InkyTinks - I hope you can get your vaccine soon, and I hope your time spent with family remains safe and virus-free.

I am struggling with my OCD a lot, as well as DID, so you will hear many different responses from me (collectively, since I have different parts). I'm struggling to find a balance. I am really in survival mode, and my emotions are all over the place. I just wished that the world were safe and free again. I miss pre-pandemic life.

yes that's correct.


If you're interested in the history



Partition of Ireland - Wikipedia.

I've never been to N.I but years ago went to the ROI to Dingle Bay to swim with Fungi the Dingle Dolphin. He stayed in the bay for years but I believe he disappeared and they didn't know (at the time) whether he left to find a mate or died.



I had never been abroad...I had to get a passport just in case it was asked for (we were going by car ferry) and we had to change currency, (but this was before the Euro was accepted everywhere) so it was really like being in another country..particularly for me cos I couldn't understand anything people were saying even when they were speaking English cos of their strong accents down there!

It was a nice holiday though, also visited the beach where they filmed for the movie 'Ryan's Daughter'.

Ryan's Daughter - Wikipedia

The more recently famous 'Game of Thrones' was filmed (partly) in 25 locations around Northern Ireland.

If you're a big fan of Game of Thrones this site has map locations of filming

Game of Thrones Ireland: 16 Locations + Map (2021)

I can't even imagine what it must be like with so many different alters! ..so is 'SprinkL' one alter who types on here or just like an account name where anyone can respond to posts if they want?


For me...my 'other me' was only out when I had to go out in public to college or work. When I lived in residential settings (like halls of residence at university) they were stuck out for a long time as other students lived in the same flat and frequently knocked on my door or just walked in my room. so for a long time I had to be exactly who other people were expecting for most of the time.


I did find it exhausting and it was a relief when I finally was able to find my own flat but by then FB existed and people I had known expected me to be available through that constantly so the 'out in public mask' also further developed into the 'social media persona' and became another different version of me due to mobility issues arising at the time and then also becoming a wheelchair user as well as deaf! (I had not yet discovered about me actually having Auditory Processing Disorder at this point).


I understood I had Autism also by this time but at the time felt it was something to hide because people visibly treated me very differently when they knew! ..so kind of denied it heavily and had no interest back then in joining an 'autistic community'. No-one on my FB friends list at the time knew I had Autism and I never told anyone.


I was in my forties by the time I understood the connection between Autism, Auditory Processing Disorder and 'appearing deaf' due to struggling to understand speech.


Maybe due to the Peri-menopause too I was feeling disconnected from people, feeling I was much more 'able' online (or came across that way) and that there was a 'secret me' I think I confused this with having more than one personality.. if anything I more closely fit OSDD1A having 'different versions of me' that aren't quite distinct enough to be separate personalities but I never pursued diagnosis of this....I get enough discrimination from the conditions people can physically see!


Besides, in shielding I've had much more room to find the confidence to be who I feel is 'the original self'...and therefore back to just 'one me'! ..as the other masks/persona's aren't needed anymore.

One of our scientific advisors to govt has today been talking about how it's going to take five years to get under control, with the next 18 months being the worst!!!



I'm not sure if he was referring only to our country or in general worldwide!

With the pandemic, it's a global phenomenon. Your scientific advisors are likely talking about the entire world. I predicted back in late-2020 that it would take at least 5 years, given the behaviors of leadership locally and globally. It's not hard to guestimate when you see the patterns of community spread occurring not only during flu season, but during all the holidays and summertime travel and the U.S.'s "Spring Break" travels, which caused a surge in certain states out here. No matter how many times they've seen this in 2020 and now 2021, the behavior continues, as if they've given up on public safety, on protecting our disabled (including elderly and young disabled persons), and on our most vulnerable infants and autoimmune persons who cannot get vaccinated. They may consider life as going on because they just ignore all the warning signs, decide not to invest in testing or masks or proper air filtration, decide to continue doing non-essential travel while going unvaccinated and/or improperly masked, decide to work in high-risk places with many other people while going unvaccinated or improperly masked or unmasked, etc. When systemic issues like this occur, it's hard to pinpoint direct cause-effect relationships and who is responsible. But overall, systemic problems are the responsibility of governments and other leaders, such as scientists. But when scientists allow politics to infiltrate their institutions, they cut corners on the recommendations that would have helped to stop or slow this down, and prevent many deaths and long-term disabilities from occurring. People working in so-called "essential jobs" should really adhere to vaccine and N95 masking, since they are around so many vulnerable people at their jobs. They have the energy, the ability, and the means to do so; the disabled don't always have the money or energy to do so, as N95 and N99 masks are expensive, as many of them are on fixed incomes, and as many of them would wind up with long-Covid, severe Covid, death, and/or exorbitant medical bills. The able-bodied persons with no immunocompromising conditions and minimal or few risky conditions have the means and the energy to at least double-mask if not purchase N95s, socially distance, improve their indoor air purifiers and otherwise, spent alternative vacations outdoors, such as driving in their own vehicles to go camping, instead of spreading the virus and otherwise via airplanes, trains, cabs, taxies, busses, Uber, Lyft, etc. Many of us are sacrificing a lot for not only ourselves, but also others. It's about time that the able-bodied people sacrifice their time and money, too. After all, we're still paying taxes on their future, their retirement, their Medicare, their Medicaid (in case they ever get disabled in the future), etc. We're all supposed to be in this together - globally, not just locally or individually. But there are too many selfish people who lack empathy, or too many people who put politics and money over healthcare, public safety, and humanity. It's just sad where this world is headed - globally, not just locally.

It's not easy for me dissociating and also being aware of my "switches." Before, it was tough losing time and not knowing what I was doing. But now, it's challenging being co-conscious. Internal family systems coping helps when my alters and I can communicate and find consensus on what to do and who can be out.

Society emphasizes reputation and performance. So it comes as no surprise when we worry constantly about what other people think. It gets reinforced in the news, in sales ads, in our everyday relationships. But worrying constantly about what other people think and then getting lost in performing for them and how we think they will accept us if we said this or did that or omitted this or took away that from ourselves is robbing ourselves of our true self. Winnicott mentions this notion of the "false self," which is sometimes what I think we present to the demanding world. The goal is to find our true self and to heal by letting go of what everyone else wants and instead figure out what we want. Sure, we can be healthy by being interdependent, but it shouldn't dictate our likes, our personality expressions, etc.

Being physically and/or mentally disabled will restrict our mobility, movement, socialization, and affordability for going outside. We may initially struggle with adjusting to our new limiting disabilities, but over time, we eventually get used to living a slower, less-social life. That said, loneliness does exacerbate many physiological and mental symptoms, so we have to be creative in order to find ways to not be so lonely. But loneliness also comes about when we feel like we are not being accepted for our authentic (true/real) selves. If you can find your authentic self on your healing and aging journeys, you can begin to feel more connected to the world, even if you're homebound, bedbound, or restricted with your disabilities.

It's easy to say that you feel safer and more yourself when you are alone at home, but we all need some form of socialization in order to be healthy. Loneliness is shown to increase mental symptoms like depression and anxiety, as well as physiological illnesses, such as heart disease, obesity, stroke, and other issues, which scientists say are at worst levels than social smokers. Loneliness is itself a public safety issue, especially for those who are prone to loneliness, such as those who are elderly, those who are physically disabled, those with certain personality disorders, those with certain mental disorders that keep them homebound, etc.

Shielding can still involve socialization, whether it be online or just going outside for a very limited time, such as being masked while socially distanced outside (not indoors) with a trusted person who is also vaccinated and masked and socially distanced. You can limit your time to 1 hour or less while outside. You can still avoid all indoor contact with others, but you could invite trustworthy friends to see you outside while 6 feet apart and masked, so long as they are vaccinated and boosted.

Regarding your possible type of multiplicity or identity issues, you could ask a therapist to see if your feeling like different people has anything to do with a dissociative disorder, or perhaps it may be a separate symptom relating to autism spectrum disorders. When dissociation isn't a factor, some psychologists will use "multiplicity" as a key term to describe your feeling like different people, your feeling the need to change for others or for alleviating your own insecurities with others, etc. If you dissociate while you feel you are switching personalities, such as feeling like you aren't real in the world or like the world doesn't seem real to you, then that could be more of an indicator of a dissociative disorder. Only a true dissociation specialist can diagnose you with that, as many psychiatric and psychological professionals aren't trained properly in the dissociative disorders for assessments, diagnoses, and/or treatments. You can see if what you are struggling with is perhaps separate from autism or in conjunction with having experienced interpersonal traumas related to discrimination, rejection, inappropriate childhood upbringings, bullying in school, constant attacks on your identity for being "different," etc. It is something that hasn't been looked at as a traumatic experience itself, but I could see how having a disability as a child could impact the way others treat you, and in turn create adverse childhood experiences, which may be considered traumatic, and thus create post-trauma symptoms such as dissociation. Dissociative disorders are thought to be brought on by childhood traumas. So if you do have a dissociative disorder, you likely have multiple, complex childhood traumas that brought about your symptoms.

Hopefully you are able to find the treatment you need to manage your symptoms.

I'm still working on managing mine.

I'd have more luck booking a flight to the moon than trying to get a Dr appointment right now!


Here GP's are being told to prioritize getting boosters done for everyone by the end of January and regular appointments are put back.


I'm still waiting for booster the vulnerable were supposed to have been all done by now!


Besides I'm happy as I am now, it's just taken me a long time to understand 'me' fully but I got there in the end!


Going by many other women's post who are going through peri-menopause it seems a 'normal thing' to feel your personality has changed, drift apart from friends because you no longer feel you have anything in common or some have even mentioned falling 'out-of-love' with their partners.

I have been seeing my sibling and his partner around once a month for either a BBQ or sunday lunch. My stepmum called down with a xmas card and some money for me and a knitted snowman to put under my tree..its cute!


Right now we're been told to avoid/reduce social contacts if we don't want to be in isolation for xmas day. Just crossing fingers and hoping family don't get it before then now and xmas day having to be cancelled.

@InkyTinks - I hope Christmas doesn't get cancelled for you. And I hope your symptoms are manageable for the perimenopause. I don't know how I'll deal with perimenopause when I get it full-blown. Would that mean that my alternate personalities will split themselves, too? Or will I just dissociate more? Eek!

I went walking with my rec rehab T today, and we both are boosted and wearing masks outside. It was a short walk, and we were outside, so very safe. That's about the highlight of my day today. I'm indoors the remainder of the day.

Sunday I meet a couple of friends outside to hand them gifts. One is making me shortbread as a gift, which will be a huge treat for me. I've never tried shortbread before. I can't wait to reheat it and eat it in the safety of my own home.

All of my friends and family and even landlord loved their Christmas gifts, so I'm glad. I told them that their Christmas cards will be late, but they are on the way, too.

I just have a few gifts left and then I'm done for the holidays.

A friend of mine mailed me a gift, so I'm getting that surprise today.

Thats great! We aren't allowed to open our xmas presents until xmas day usually..with a few exceptions ..(something too big or awkward to wrap) I don't get my card from them until xmas day as I go over for dinner, so just get them at the same time!


I do buy myself a new pair of PJ's for xmas Eve which I wear after I've a got shower and washed my hair before bed - as don't get time xmas morning... have my dog to walk he gets a good long run round a nature park for a couple of hours, open his pressies, give him breakfast and play with some of his new toys with him for a bit then go and get ready to go for dinner and being picked up (as I can't drive).


It's a nice afternoon out and change of 4 walls for me and I get waited on and spoiled for an afternoon!


Family are usually busy as they work full time and have their own lives too, so I don't actually usually even get to see them once a month, think it's only cos of pandemic and cos they know I haven't been able to see anyone else or go anywhere. (other than an empty field with the dog!).


I'll enjoy another few months with my new games then hopefully spring/summer will see a drop in omicron and I will have had my boosters and safely meet more people without worrying about being hospitalised if they breathe on me!

Our PM has decided NOT to add more restrictions until after new years eve now - must be worried about being voted out at next election after all the cock-ups and figures he'll be more popular with the younger ones who want to go out and party!


I have no plans to go out NYE. my siblings partner ...its their birthday in January though, ordered their presents but they want to go to a restaurant..I haven't been out to a public place since the pandemic started and don't even know whether I will have had my booster by then!


I'm kinda hoping we will have moved into tighter restrictions by then so we can just have a small party at their house, just us,

@InkyTinks - I'm so sorry you are still not boosted. I've stayed home for NYE for many years, even before the pandemic. You're not alone if you stay home; I think many of us plan on not going out that night. It's too risky, even with a booster. The booster will work 2 weeks after, so the time to get boosted for this event would have been around Dec. 13 or 14, to be safe.

I hope you are able to celebrate New Years in some meaningful way.

I have wine, but I don't feel like drinking at all. I would rather pop open my sparkling apple cider or drink my Diet Coke.

Thank you for sharing your updates here. It helps me to know that I'm not alone in the struggle, even though I'm boosted.

I'm wondering why they haven't boosted you yet. Is the wait that long in your country?