How to cope mentally with social isolation

[Roukaya]

I live by myself with no one in UK

All I have is an elderly Mother who lives overseas by herself

I have struggled with low mood and depression at the best of times and this is making me think always of the worst

[bburzycki]

I find having time alone refreshing. It allows me to re-evalute me and all of my issues and my situation. It gives me time to reflect on what is truly important and what I need and do not need in my life. Time to read, time to write, time to do things for me. Many of us live lives of only caring or thinking we need to care for others when the one that really needs the care is ourselves.

If you are friendly with your mother then get linked up on a video service or messaging or emails etc and connect with them. So much can be learned from family.

If you enjoy community find one online - Gaming, discord groups, etc.

Stay in shape, there is no better time than when alone and in need of something to do that reduces stress.

Get involved with volunteer work locally.

Know that there are many of us worldwide that live alone, it is only lonely if you let it be.

[Roukaya in reply to bburzycki]

Thank you for reply

I hope you are keeping well

I also realise that I should use this time positively and study as I marginally failed a resit

When I struggle I usually go and visit my elderly Mother who lives oversesd

Given this epidemic it is essential for me to understand why I keep failing and work on thses issuex

I have no one in UK so I will try to help myself

Someond on this post said I have Anxiety, depression and OCD

This is all true and I will work on this

Thank you for reply

[xjrs]

Roukaya, as explained yesterday, please go to your doctor. I am not sure you have taken on board our lengthy discussion. This forum is for people with IBS issues. There are other forums for what you are experiencing. You need to take action NOW.

[Roukaya in reply to xjrs]

I have listened to what you have said

I have contacted talking therapies and I was due to start CBT in two weeks and due to the uncertainty of the Corona virus, I havd heard nothing

I agree that I have issues but I also suffer from IBS

I have already taken action as you put it and since your talk I think it is best that you do not remind me any more.

I agree this is a post for IBS and IBS is related to anxiety

I have already spoken to my Gp and it is for the Administrator of this site to say what I can write

I think it is best before this becomes an issue for you to refrain from answering my posts

I will do my best on this site to speak about IBS but as I have very little social contact I do not wish to experience any form of hostility from you

It is a difficult time for us all

I actually am in talks with a Psychotherapist and I am fully aware of my current state of mind

[Iesgobdafydd in reply to Roukaya]

I actually think people don't talk enough about anxiety-related issues on this forum, given that anxiety is a major cause of IBS. In our society there's still prejudice against people with mental health problems, so nobody wants to admit they have something that could be called a mental health problem. So it's easier to talk about changing our diet than to talk about managing our stress and anxiety. But the body and mind are one system anyhow, and mental health problems are just health problems. Someone with depression or anxiety is no more to blame for it, or able to snap out of it, than someone with any other illness.

[Roukaya in reply to Iesgobdafydd]

Very well written

How are you coping with the social isolation

How do you spend your day

[Iesgobdafydd in reply to Roukaya]

It's not an issue for me. I live my with partner and our two young adult children, and now that my partner's not going in to the office, I get more company than I'm used to. I spend a lot of time on the computer, pursuing my hobbies, and there is a bit of social interaction online involved. I don't have a lot of energy because of my health condition, and meeting people outside the family is tiring for me anyhow. I spend a lot of hours in bed, again because of my health condition and what I'm doing to try and fix it. So I get a bit bored in bed sometimes but I'm not out of bed for enough hours to get bored easily. There are loads of other things I would like to be doing if I had more energy but I get tired so fast. I've sent for some seeds, I want to try and plant some flowers that bees like this year, though I'm not sure how well my body will cope with digging. Maybe if I just do a bit at a time it can work, or if it's too hard I can plant them in a windowbox. How about you, how are you managing to fill your days now while you can't get out and meet people? And have you got a way to get groceries brought to your home if you get coronavirus?

[Roukaya in reply to Iesgobdafydd]

You are kind enough to reply

I find myself alone and it is very hard this is why I am trying to find support

Lockdown is ok for those who have a supportive family around them

But for those who have none it is hard mentally to cope with

I should be preparing for resit exsms but when my Mother who is overseas has problems I panic with anxiety

Also she repeats herself a great deal and this also tired me as I am by myself

You are very lucky to have family around you

I find myself lost tired and snxious

[LEENOL48]

Hi Roukaya

Just a quick message of support to see how your doing hope everything ok with you x

[Roukaya]

Dear Leenol

I hope you are safe and well

I thank you for your reply

I seem to be ok but agitated with anxiety when I see how this virus is causing the world 🌍 to spin in turbulence

I can only pray and ask for as many people to pray for our prayers to be answered

I live very much on my own and there are days I can cope and days I struggle with my anxieties

How are you coping

How do you spend your time in social isolation in my case solitary confinement