Long term restrictions, lockdowns, etc and the implications on mental health

[yorksrob]

I was highlighting the options and avenues for help/helping. More useful than your statements, I would suggest.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Oct 2020 ==



Indeed - a true comedic genius that I never thought got the credit that he deserved. Mind you, as with some 70s stuff, there is the odd thing that hasn't dated so well but sure they could pull together a compilation show(s)

Indeed. I have seen the phrase "this programme/film reflects different social attitudes" or something thereabouts broadcast before films in the past. Such would be fine.

 

[adc82140]

Got to be a bit careful here as it involves work. But I've just had to deal with a patient who has had probably one of the worst bits of news you can get in a hospital delivered to her. She is about my age. Her family were not allowed to accompany her. This isn't right.

 

[kristiang85]

Got to be a bit careful here as it involves work. But I've just had to deal with a patient who has had probably one of the worst bits of news you can get in a hospital delivered to her. She is about my age. Her family were not allowed to accompany her. This isn't right.

That's awful. It's not only not right, it's subhuman to actively deny people their family at times like that.

 

[adc82140]

That's awful. It's not only not right, it's subhuman to actively deny people their family at times like that.

To be honest I think I'd have preferred it if she was having raging hysterics in front of me. But she wasn't. She was just staring in to space ahead of her. Normally I could have offered her a hand or something, some sort of human to human contact. But not now.

 

[C J Snarzell]

Someone mentioned BBC comedy should be rerun to plug the lack of TV production during Covid. I totally agree. The Beeb really have some gems hidden in their archives.

ITV too have produced some fantastic comedies. Maybe, the passing of the great Bobby Ball might push someone somewhere to rerun some C&B magic.

I do think watching some classic light hearted comedy is really good for low moods. Watching miserable badly acted tripe like Eastenders and Coronation Street only adds to the misery when you are stuck indoors.

CJ

 

[kristiang85]

To be honest I think I'd have preferred it if she was having raging hysterics in front of me. But she wasn't. She was just staring in to space ahead of her. Normally I could have offered her a hand or something, some sort of human to human contact. But not now.

It sounds like a horrible situation to be in for you and your colleagues, especially as most staff in these settings will be the empathetic/caring type. It must make you feel so helpless.

 

[yorksrob]

Someone mentioned BBC comedy should be rerun to plug the lack of TV production during Covid. I totally agree. The Beeb really have some gems hidden in their archives.

ITV too have produced some fantastic comedies. Maybe, the passing of the great Bobby Ball might push someone somewhere to rerun some C&B magic.

I do think watching some classic light hearted comedy is really good for low moods. Watching miserable badly acted tripe like Eastenders and Coronation Street only adds to the misery when you are stuck indoors.

CJ

Indeed. To be fair, thete are some classics on iplayer. I enjoyed the whole back catalogue of French and Saunders during the first lockdown. Definately worth them reprising the archives. Dave Allan as mentioned above and Spike Milligan would be good places to start.

 

[C J Snarzell]

Indeed. To be fair, thete are some classics on iplayer. I enjoyed the whole back catalogue of French and Saunders during the first lockdown. Definately worth them reprising the archives. Dave Allan as mentioned above and Spike Milligan would be good places to start.

I've got a few favourites on DVD. On The Buses as always been one of my favourites. I've recently re-watched Peter Kay's Pheonix Nights which I never get bored of.

CJ

 

[yorksrob]

I've got a few favourites on DVD. On The Buses as always been one of my favourites. I've recently re-watched Peter Kay's Pheonix Nights which I never get bored of.

CJ

Yes, I also love On The Buses

I enjoyed Pheonix Nights, but haven't watched it in a bit. Watched Peter Kay's Car Share for the first time a couple of weeks ago and loved it (was on iplayer).

 

[brad465]

Someone mentioned BBC comedy should be rerun to plug the lack of TV production during Covid. I totally agree. The Beeb really have some gems hidden in their archives.

ITV too have produced some fantastic comedies. Maybe, the passing of the great Bobby Ball might push someone somewhere to rerun some C&B magic.

I do think watching some classic light hearted comedy is really good for low moods. Watching miserable badly acted tripe like Eastenders and Coronation Street only adds to the misery when you are stuck indoors.

CJ

Among my favourite comedy panel shows, both Mock the Week (BBC2) and The Last Leg (Ch4) are back on, the former is on every week now until early February next year, bar a few weeks off over Christmas; the latter's schedule is unknown but historically would run until the end of the year. Hopefully no lockdown will come and/or these shows won't have to be called off in any case, as they'll keep me going for a while among other things.

 

[yorksrob]

Among my favourite comedy panel shows, both Mock the Week (BBC2) and The Last Leg (Ch4) are back on, the former is on every week now until early February next year, bar a few weeks off over Christmas; the latter's schedule is unknown but historically would run until the end of the year. Hopefully no lockdown will come and/or these shows won't have to be called off in any case, as they'll keep me going for a while among other things.

I used to love topical comedy. Haven't been able to manage it for years now.

 

[adc82140]

Taskmaster on Channel 4 is proper escapism. Fantastically ludicrous.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Winter is coming. And many will find their mental health takes a more severe battering during these months because of these restrictions continuing, and more regions going into tougher lockdowns. And unlike during the summer, people won't be able to enjoy a few hours/day out enjoying the nice weather. Some people suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder(though not me personally), and will find it really tough going this winter......

And if Christmas gets cancelled god hep us.

 

[Yew]

Some people suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder(though not me personally), and will find it really tough going this winter......

I can cornfirm.

 

[Scotrail12]

Definitely had a huge impact for me. I'll give a bit of background if you don't mind.

I was mentally fragile beforehand - back around mid-late 2017, I recognised that I was gay and being in the closet whilst at a Catholic school was something I found really tough plus I was in a rough spot with other things in my life (grandmother passed that year, was having an acrimonious split with my high school friend, was in my Higher year of school etc), I did sink into a real state of depression for several months. Things improved around Spring 2018 and as that year went on, I began to go into a better place in my life for the next 2 years following that, graduated school, started uni, got more independence and began to do more things that I enjoyed. I got a taste for life and a taste for creativity that let me be fulfilled as a person.

Then came March 2020, announcements that the gym, university and every place that I frequented would be shutting down due to COVID. I was devastated and it felt as if everything I'd tried to build in my life to keep me mentally stable had collapsed in the space of a week. I spent most of lockdown either sitting in my room or exercising once a day which got stale really fast. My life was so numb, there was nothing to it at all and as a result, all of those memories and horrible feelings from the 2017/18 season came back.

Aside from the knowledge about the virus and the impact of lockdowns on the economy, this was my main fear about lockdowns - I'd tried really hard to rebuild my life and make myself happy again and it all crumbled for what I now view as no real reason. I spent 3 miserable months barely living in lockdown and it totally fried my brain. The summer was OK but once we hit September, I took a slight downward turn again with all the reports about circuit breakers etc and it's really getting to me now. If everything shuts down again, I don't know how I'll cope. I just can't exist by sitting in a house all day every day. I'm young and I want to live my life.


== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 31 Oct 2020 ==

Real shame at today's decision by the government in England. Absolutely no concern at all about people's mental health. Do we just not matter any more?

Can we start reporting on the suicide hospitalisations & deaths please? Or are they less important?

 

[DB]

Real shame at today's decision by the government in England. Absolutely no concern at all about people's mental health. Do we just not matter any more?

Can we start reporting on the suicide hospitalisations & deaths please? Or are they less important?

It does seem to be the case that nothing much matters to the government apart from pretending that they are "controlling the virus". Peopke dying from suicide and lack of timely treatment for cancers and other conditions seems to be regarded as acceptable.

It's disgusting, but not surprising from this lot.

 

[Scotrail12]

It does seem to be the case that nothing much matters to the government apart from pretending that they are "controlling the virus". Peopke dying from suicide and lack of timely treatment for cancers and other conditions seems to be regarded as acceptable.

It's disgusting, but not surprising from this lot.

I hope that this government is held to account one day for these deaths - it's surely gross negligence, I'd go as far as murder. I can give some leeway the first time they locked down but not now.

I'm far from the only person whose life basically collapsed with lockdowns - it happened to tons of people but that's OK because of COVID, right?

 

[DustyBin]

The enquiry into the handling of the pandemic really needs to look at the impact of restrictions on mental health. I too would like somebody to be held to account, however I fear it will barely get a mention....

 

[Scotrail12]

I can't wait until a time when I don't have to wake up every day scared about whether or not I'll have human rights stripped from me by these dictators in the name of a virus.

All of this virus talk is seriously exhausting me now. We've never done this before and I hope we never, ever do it again.

 

[kez19]

The enquiry into the handling of the pandemic really needs to look at the impact of restrictions on mental health. I too would like somebody to be held to account, however I fear it will barely get a mention....

I agree but I would also include in the UK all the devolved parliaments too to be held to account in this, they all "share" the blame here! Also may as well throw the media into the mix too as they are pretty much tail wagging with the politicians!

 

[DustyBin]

I agree but I would also include in the UK all the devolved parliaments too to be held to account in this, they all "share" the blame here! Also may as well throw the media into the mix too as they are pretty much tail wagging with the politicians!

Good point in regard to the devolved parliaments. As for the media, their behaviour more-or-less across the board has been disgraceful throughout the pandemic. I’m generally all for press freedom and I’ve always been against any attempt to curtail it, but they’ve proven themselves unable to behave responsibly over the last eight months. The problem is, I don’t want to see them become government propaganda machines either so I don’t know what to suggest. Ideally they’d take a long hard look at themselves but I’m not holding my breath....

 

[kez19]

Good point in regard to the devolved parliaments. As for the media, their behaviour more-or-less across the board has been disgraceful throughout the pandemic. I’m generally all for press freedom and I’ve always been against any attempt to curtail it, but they’ve proven themselves unable to behave responsibly over the last eight months. The problem is, I don’t want to see them become government propaganda machines either so I don’t know what to suggest. Ideally they’d take a long hard look at themselves but I’m not holding my breath....

Aah but the media won’t they be the same as politicians - follow orders would be the answer.

I am for freedom of press/media but there is very little in pushback from them to question more (again uk media and in the devolved nations), it just seems they either wet themselves over cases throw in doom and gloom and fire more in it, as I said somewhere on here the media forgets that the public can turn on them as much as they turn on the politicians (but I guess neither media or politicians see this coming...quelle surprise)

I mentioned George Michael - Shoot the dog on the COVID Playlists.... this situation reminds me of the Bush/Blair scenario but just change figures Boris and other devolved parliaments in with the media, I know it’s slightly off topic but it just strikes with me this whole thing

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Nov 2020 ==

I can't wait until a time when I don't have to wake up every day scared about whether or not I'll have human rights stripped from me by these dictators in the name of a virus.

All of this virus talk is seriously exhausting me now. We've never done this before and I hope we never, ever do it again.

I am now at that stage I am so drained by it, I’m lucky to get back to the gym (not happy hearing in England closed once more), Sturgeon better not in Scotland I will be severely “drunk” (change of word) over it, I’m still planning on Newcastle in January (just feel I don’t care no more), I need a life to live than looking at the same place, just a breather away.

 

[DelayRepay]

I'm probably in a better position than 99% of people. I live alone (by choice) in a fairly nice house in a fairly nice area. I have a garden. The countryside is only five minutes walk away. I'm not terribly sociable or a big pub-goer. I don't go to nightclubs or festivals or sports. My job is fairly secure (insomuch as any job is at the moment) and I can work from home fine. I don't have to worry myself with education of young ones or care of old ones. I'm not 'missing out' on the University experience, or the fun you should be having in your 20s. I'm not trying to do anything complicated like buying a house or organising a wedding. I have no (immediate) family medical concerns.

I could have written this paragraph myself.

The first lockdown, for me, was fine. It was only supposed to be a few weeks and even though it was extended a couple of times, you could see light at the end of the tunnel. Working from home was a novelty, and my workload increased, which took my mind off things, but also made me feel productive. The weather was quite nice, and it was an opportunity to do jobs at home and in the garden that had been put off for too long.

Nearly seven months later, I feel down. Down is the only way to describe it. I'm still working from home, one day rolls into the next. Now I can't see my friends or family. And really there is no end in sight.

I worry. I worry about my family, my nieces and nephews, my mum. I worry about my best friend, redundant from his job and struggling to pay the rent.

I'm not sleeping well.

And I am getting really fed up to the back teeth of people who try to help by suggesting getting plenty of exercise.

 

[Smidster]

I could have written this paragraph myself.

The first lockdown, for me, was fine. It was only supposed to be a few weeks and even though it was extended a couple of times, you could see light at the end of the tunnel. Working from home was a novelty, and my workload increased, which took my mind off things, but also made me feel productive. The weather was quite nice, and it was an opportunity to do jobs at home and in the garden that had been put off for too long.

Nearly seven months later, I feel down. Down is the only way to describe it. I'm still working from home, one day rolls into the next. Now I can't see my friends or family. And really there is no end in sight.

I worry. I worry about my family, my nieces and nephews, my mum. I worry about my best friend, redundant from his job and struggling to pay the rent.

I'm not sleeping well.

And I am getting really fed up to the back teeth of people who try to help by suggesting getting plenty of exercise.

I can totally relate to this.

I admit that on face value I am in a very lucky position when it comes to all this - I have always lived alone and have never been sociable as for many reasons I have always found that stuff really hard to just avoided it. I do however regret it as I have wasted my "prime" years and have nothing to look back on.

I do however have relatively safe job that I can do remotely and space around me if it would ever stop raining (got caught out yesterday and don't think I have ever been so wet & cold)

With that being said it just feels so completely hopeless - Every day just merges into the next with nothing to mark the passage of time and nothing for you to look forward to (aside from the Orange One losing tonight) - No weekends away, No sporting events or Gigs just staring at the same screen and looking at the same four walls.

And what I find worse is that actually Covid isn't the worst of it - We know that Covid will end...sure it might not be as soon as we would all like but it will and there will be a day when we can go to the football again or not worry about losing your mask but even then life will continue to get worse and worse long after the restrictions ease as the economic impact is felt and, more importantly, we suffer the consequences of Brexit. The little things that help you get through these times - things like affordable food that are not going to be available after Brexit or the freedom to take a weekend break in Germany without having to worry about filling in forms, waiting in lines and purchasing additional insurance.

It is all a pretty terrible position to be in and I wish we had a plan to get out of it.

 

[kristiang85]

It does seem to be the case that nothing much matters to the government apart from pretending that they are "controlling the virus". Peopke dying from suicide and lack of timely treatment for cancers and other conditions seems to be regarded as acceptable.

The stats for some of the conditions here are pretty stark: https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/stati...ngland-latest.html#deaths-by-underlying-cause (lots of graphs, but worth looking).
(although mental health/suicide stats are not included, but this is relevant for other conditions).

 

[Bantamzen]

The stats for some of the conditions here are pretty stark: https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/stati...ngland-latest.html#deaths-by-underlying-cause (lots of graphs, but worth looking).
(although mental health/suicide stats are not included, but this is relevant for other conditions).

Now that is the kind of data we need, paints a somewhat different picture to what we often see portrayed in much of the media & at No.10 press briefings.

 

[Alex C.]

Now that is the kind of data we need, paints a somewhat different picture to what we often see portrayed in much of the media & at No.10 press briefings.

The undercounting of flu and respiratory diseases is to be expected but I was quite surprised that cancer (and a few of the others) are showing less than expected deaths fairly consistently since May. Unless I'm misreading the chart.

 

[Bantamzen]

The undercounting of flu and respiratory diseases is to be expected but I was quite surprised that cancer (and a few of the others) are showing less than expected deaths fairly consistently since May. Unless I'm misreading the chart.

The most stand out figures for me are those for Dementia / Alzheimer's during the lockdown. I don't know how they compare with previous years, but they would be of some concern for me if I were using the data for decision making. Also concerning is the increased ratio of deaths in the home compared with hospitals / homes etc in the later months of the year. I wonder if these two metrics are linked?

 

[kristiang85]

The undercounting of flu and respiratory diseases is to be expected but I was quite surprised that cancer (and a few of the others) are showing less than expected deaths fairly consistently since May. Unless I'm misreading the chart.

It could be that the gravely ill with cancer were taken by COVID all at once in Spring, so there was a less than average death rate in the months after. All indications are that cancer will start going above average though, due to delayed diagnoses/treatment.

 

[trainophile]

I think we need a new poll now that the latest lockdown has been announced. Surely can't be many left now in the "I'm perfectly fine" camp, especially as we are a collection of travel lovers.