Isolated, Depressed & Anxious.

[John84]

Hi Guys,

I’m just wondering whether anyone else who lives alone is really struggling during the Covid-19 pandemic.

I’ve been working from home now since the lockdown began on the 23rd March. Initially, I was okay working from home but after a month or so I started to feel less motivated, lethargic and my whole routine started to slip and slide. With movement restricted to contain the virus, I became very isolated and cooped up in my flat. Realising that I had become far too isolated at home, I decided to move in with Mum until things return to normal. At first, things were going great and I was making the most of being back at Mums, enjoying her company, spending time with the family dog and getting regular fresh air in her decent sized back garden. Mum then got sick and before long, we had both tested positive for Covid-19. Thankfully our symptoms were relatively mild compared to what we were seeing on the news. With us both signed off work due to the covid diagnosis, mum started to drink heavily again and her mental health began to deteriorate. Recognising these signs early on, I decided to move back home as my own mental health had suffered in the past living with someone who drinks heavily. Since moving back home about a month ago, things have gone from bad to worse. Again, I’m very isolated and my Anxiety & Depression is back with vengeance. My GP has signed me off work and increased my dose of Sertraline to 200mg, prescribed me some propranolol and arranged for me to have my Vitamin D level checked. All I am wanting to do is sleep all the time to the point where I am sleeping all day and right through the night. My appetite has vanished, my personal hygiene is rubbish and I’m literally tearing clumps of my hair out (see pic below) to the point where I have bald patches. I’m also feeling really bad for being off work and feel that I am letting my employer down.

Is anyone else struggling with something similar? And if so, do you have any tips to share on how to get by.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. I know there are a lot of people struggling at the moment. Take care.

John84

[Marshall64]

I have found it to be difficult from working from home also. My motivation has really dropped off and my depression increased. I just had my doctor add another antidepressant.

Get out as much as you can including taking walks. I go to the convenience store just to get out of the house for awhile (and to get caffeinated drinks).

[John84]

I’m just constantly fatigued all the time to the point where all I want to do is sleep.

I’m off to buy some food shopping soon because I really need to start eating something. Also going for a walk tomorrow with a friend.

Thanks Marshall

[Foxglove88]

I too have spent the whole time on my own, but I am used to that, just not used to being more alone and isolated. I have a long term illness so started self isolation second week in March, I already had mental health issues and struggling with both. I haven't seen family or friends since March, barely go out anywhere and can honestly say that my health isnt good, I've had a vit D deficiency and a folate deficiency in this time, my anxiety hits the roof when I go out so always glad to get back home. I have very good neighbours so we have all supported each other in one way or another. My answer to everything is gardening, when I go in the garden I forget everything and the world, I have made my garden deliberately hard work so I have plenty to do, digging more and more areas to make into planting areas, bought a greenhouse and now planting seeds and I built a pond. I also spend more time on the playstation, a great means of escape, I only allow myself to go to sleep in the daytime if I'm having a bad day and I have slept alot while having deficiencys. So I guess you need to find something that will help you escape mentally, keep your mind off how bad you feel, slowly you will notice less, doing something physical also makes you feel better if you wear yourself out. Hope you feel better soon.

[AK0424]

I too have found it hard working from home since March. Some days I'm motivated, others I'm almost worthless. But I put on my music and output my way through. I live alone in a small studio apartment with my cat. I feel 90% of my coping mechanisms have gone out the window. It's hard creating new ones. I allow myself to break down. I allow myself to hurt. I may not know what to do to make it better, but at least I'm not denying myself what I feel. Almost no one I know understands my reasoning for my feelings. But at least I'm trying. Just try. I can't say there's a magical answer, but you will get through it.