SingFish Posted April 13, 2022 Share Posted April 13, 2022 My life was turned upside down by the pandemic, everything has changed, several bereavements, lot of stress. I was diagnosed with depression and prescribed medication, but I can't seem to move forward, I feel traumatized by the whole two years. Feels like I'm just going through the motions now, how do I shake off this sense of doom? 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Mrin Posted April 13, 2022 Share Posted April 13, 2022 First off, I'm sorry you're going through this. The blow to our mental health is real. That being said... 1. Take a road trip 2. Have some sex, preferably good 3. Spend time in the sun, preferably in nature 4. 30 minutes a day of some form of exercise It sounds flippant but those four things add: novelty, human touch, vitamin D and stress relief to your life. All good things. 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Author SingFish Posted April 13, 2022 Author Share Posted April 13, 2022 39 minutes ago, Mrin said: The blow to our mental health is real. So many people I know are suffering mental health problems, it's like a secondary pandemic. It doesn't help that other aspects of life are spiraling out of control, I'm constantly juggling finances now too. No vacation this year, though I do spend time in nature every day. Link to post Share on other sites
glows Posted April 13, 2022 Share Posted April 13, 2022 I don't have a sense of doom. Going through a divorce during the pandemic seems to have removed any misconceptions for me about what I need to do to straighten out a few things personally and I'm very proud of how far I've come. I do worry about my loved ones at times and make extra time to stay connected. Staying in touch helps and also hobbies help quite a lot. Meeting people who are into the same things have been quite fun. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Happy Lemming Posted April 13, 2022 Share Posted April 13, 2022 I'm a big fan of making lists and scratching things off as I complete them. I think seeing what I accomplished in a day and that makes me feel better. Personally, I was a bit overwhelmed at the idea of being stuck on the couch for a month after having surgery, the thought of everything that had to be done so I could recuperate started to really worry me. So I made a list... from yard work, to vehicle maintenance, to checking the roof, to preparing and freezing meals, to setting up the Evaporative Cooler for the season, etc. (the list was long) I set goals each day to get all of these chores accomplished and scratched through each one as I completed it. I felt good as the list got shorter and shorter. In addition to Mrin's ideas, I also like to watch the wild birds from my back window. I put out the morning seed and watch them come eat, drink and frolic around, while I drink my coffee. It feels relaxing... Think about things you would like to accomplish over the next week or so... make a list, keep that list in an area where you'll see it. I keep mine on my desk and as the day progresses, I scratch things off. As an example, today's goal is to plan an abbreviated and smaller Easter dinner for "V" and I. I can't make a big ham, but I want to have something nice for her and I. 3 Link to post Share on other sites
Wiseman2 Posted April 13, 2022 Share Posted April 13, 2022 (edited) 23 minutes ago, SingFish said: So many people I know are suffering mental health problems, it's like a secondary pandemic. Absolutely true. Mental health (and other health problems) soared during the pandemic. It was much worse for me in the beginning with the uncertainty, even stuff like the toilet paper crisis etc. added to the chaos and fear. Did you have covid? There are many concerns about "long covid" (google it), one of which is sustained neurological and mental health issues. One thing that helps is to read/watch less news. While everyone wants to be informed/up to date, sometimes the media's handling of things would get to me because of the tendency toward sensationalism. So find your peace someplace, whatever that is. Whether it is nature, friends, family, favorite movies, hobbies, etc. Wordle and crosswords kept me sane sometimes. Sometimes simple things in complex times gives my brain a rest. Edited April 13, 2022 by Wiseman2 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Author SingFish Posted April 13, 2022 Author Share Posted April 13, 2022 1 hour ago, Wiseman2 said: Did you have covid? No. I got 'flu ( which my dr says was unusual ) late last year, then couldn't seem to shake off depression. 1 hour ago, Wiseman2 said: find your peace someplace, whatever that is. I've been going to church a lot. Agree with you on the news. I was raised to 'never be ignorant' but the way atrocities are filmed on phones and broadcast now is very traumatizing I think. Literally gives me nightmares some days. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Alpacalia Posted April 13, 2022 Share Posted April 13, 2022 (edited) 3 hours ago, SingFish said: My life was turned upside down by the pandemic, everything has changed, several bereavements, lot of stress. I was diagnosed with depression and prescribed medication, but I can't seem to move forward, I feel traumatized by the whole two years. Feels like I'm just going through the motions now, how do I shake off this sense of doom? I took this workshop called "Call to Courage" through my school. It was really eye opening because it allowed us to connect and interact with each other and hear about and exchange one another's hardships and ways we cope. Are there any workshops or school activities that you can get involved with? I know it's easier said then done when we feel less motivated but I find when I stay disciplined and stick to a routine the best I can, I feel much better. Edited April 13, 2022 by Alpacalia 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Author SingFish Posted April 13, 2022 Author Share Posted April 13, 2022 9 minutes ago, Alpacalia said: I find when I stay disciplined and stick to a routine the best I can, I feel much better. Yes, I lost the routine a bit when I got 'flu. I feel silly confessing this but I feel afraid now, in a way I never have before. It's like there's no certainty in life any more! Link to post Share on other sites
Happy Lemming Posted April 13, 2022 Share Posted April 13, 2022 23 minutes ago, SingFish said: but the way atrocities are filmed on phones and broadcast now is very traumatizing... When I get up in the morning, I turn on my local news and work on my computer. I keep the sound off until the weather comes on, I listen to the weather and turn off the TV. I do better if I don't know about all of the shootings and stabbings that happened overnight. In my opinion, sometimes self preservation is more important than being informed. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Trail Blazer Posted April 13, 2022 Share Posted April 13, 2022 3 hours ago, SingFish said: My life was turned upside down by the pandemic, everything has changed, several bereavements, lot of stress. I was diagnosed with depression and prescribed medication, but I can't seem to move forward, I feel traumatized by the whole two years. Feels like I'm just going through the motions now, how do I shake off this sense of doom? It sounds like you're in the process of already trying to 'shake the doom'. There's no quick fix there, I don't think. All I can suggest is speaking to your physician or therapist who prescribed you your medication to see if there's any further treatments. Also, as well as doing everything in your power to limit as much as reasonably practicable, the every day stress in your life, just try not to put pressure on yourself to feel "normal". Just try to take things as they come. Breathe. Think through things. Try not to be emotionally reactive. I know that can be easier said than done. Do you have a good support network of friends/family/significant other in your life to help you get through this rough patch? 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Author SingFish Posted April 13, 2022 Author Share Posted April 13, 2022 36 minutes ago, Trail Blazer said: Do you have a good support network of friends/family/significant other in your life to help you get through this rough patch? I don't have anyone nearby. I am a bit lonely lately. Link to post Share on other sites
Alpacalia Posted April 13, 2022 Share Posted April 13, 2022 (edited) 57 minutes ago, SingFish said: Yes, I lost the routine a bit when I got 'flu. I feel silly confessing this but I feel afraid now, in a way I never have before. It's like there's no certainty in life any more! Please don't feel silly. Losing people who are close to you can really kick you in the groin. I am always amazed at how some people seem to keep pushing forward. It is not that they are unaware of the hardship, but it seems some people are just more equipped for adversity. It doesn't make them any more (or less) special, though. Getting over the flu doesn't make us feel our best right now. Compound that with everything else going on and things are a little unsure of what's ahead for you. Like waiting for the next shoe to drop. After all, what you've been through has left you vulnerable. It's no wonder you're feeling a tad stressed. Give yourself a big hug and know that everything will be okay. I will keep you in my thoughts. Edited April 13, 2022 by Alpacalia 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Mrin Posted April 13, 2022 Share Posted April 13, 2022 1 hour ago, SingFish said: I feel silly confessing this but I feel afraid now, in a way I never have before. It's like there's no certainty in life any more! Nothing to feel silly about. The last two years have shaken most of the humanity to it's core and in a way never felt before. My mom lost her husband in April of 2020 and couldn't even be hugged by another human being until 4 months later. How sick is that? I had an immunocompromised friend who didn't leave her apartment for 5 months. Her landlord had to send an electrician in to do some maintenance and it traumatized her. It will take years, maybe even a decade or more for humanity to come to grips with the blow to our mental health. But - there's help. Whether it's therapy or meditation or exercise or yoga. Definitely seek out help please. You're not alone in this. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Author SingFish Posted April 13, 2022 Author Share Posted April 13, 2022 Thanks everyone. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
dramafreezone Posted April 14, 2022 Share Posted April 14, 2022 (edited) 22 hours ago, SingFish said: My life was turned upside down by the pandemic, everything has changed, several bereavements, lot of stress. I was diagnosed with depression and prescribed medication, but I can't seem to move forward, I feel traumatized by the whole two years. Feels like I'm just going through the motions now, how do I shake off this sense of doom? There's not really a playbook for how to manage life after a pandemic because none of us have experienced one. Our worlds have been permanently changed by it and life is just different based on what happened and how we view the world. It's ok to cut yourself some slack and acknowledge that this is something we're all learning to navigate through. To me, the pandemic was similar in feeling to when I was deployed overseas in the Army. It was that similar type of isolation feeling so I felt pretty prepared, though it still wasn't fun. My feelings were always that it won't last forever and the world will come back. As far as the healthcare side of it, I've always been of the belief that everyone should take reasonable measures to practice safe healthcare habits and live with that. Getting through depression is a process, just know that doing the steps that have been tried and true is the best *process* for getting back to normlacy, but there's no telling when exactly that'll happen. Definitely don't base your progress on how others have managed through theirs. Everyone is different. Edited April 14, 2022 by dramafreezone 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites
mark clemson Posted April 14, 2022 Share Posted April 14, 2022 Second the suggestion for routine exercise and seeking someplace/people where you can find a sense of community if you can do so safely. Volunteering? Hobby clubs? Meet-ups? If you have depression (sounds like you may), therapy with a licensed therapist might be helpful as well. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Author SingFish Posted April 15, 2022 Author Share Posted April 15, 2022 I think it's hit me as the pandemic fades life will never be the same again... 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Alpacalia Posted April 16, 2022 Share Posted April 16, 2022 (edited) Easter is coming! I'm thinking of making some bunny shaped chocolate easter popsicles for Easter morning. 🐰 + 𓋛 = ☺️ Doing anything? Edited April 16, 2022 by Alpacalia 1 Link to post Share on other sites
basil67 Posted April 17, 2022 Share Posted April 17, 2022 (edited) I'm heading out with friends for a coastal walk which has spectacular views and then lunch in the beer garden of a pub. It can be difficult to find a pub which sells more than "dude food" but this one seems to have some lighter options on the menu. Edited April 17, 2022 by basil67 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Author SingFish Posted April 17, 2022 Author Share Posted April 17, 2022 I've been to Church. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Happy Lemming Posted April 17, 2022 Share Posted April 17, 2022 1 hour ago, SingFish said: I've been to Church. There was an outside "Sunrise" service in my little town today. I didn't attend, but it was nice to hear that the service was happening this year. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
QuietRiot Posted April 25, 2022 Share Posted April 25, 2022 Moving forward "after" the pandemic? That's going to be a while as we are still in a pandemic. Link to post Share on other sites
Author SingFish Posted April 26, 2022 Author Share Posted April 26, 2022 I'm going to go out to eat one day soon, Indian food. The anti depressants are helping, and work is getting back to 'normal'. I just needed to grieve I guess. 3 Link to post Share on other sites
glows Posted April 29, 2022 Share Posted April 29, 2022 On 4/25/2022 at 7:37 PM, SingFish said: I'm going to go out to eat one day soon, Indian food. The anti depressants are helping, and work is getting back to 'normal'. I just needed to grieve I guess. Sounds delicious. Hope you have fun and glad things are a bit better. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts