A letter of support during difficult times

Dear readers, 

Whether you are living with mental health problems, self isolating/shielding, working from home or one of the many essential key workers braving this storm; times are no doubt having a huge impact on our daily lives. The countermeasures for this pandemic have had to come hard and fast in order to slow the arrival of the peak and protect the most vulnerable. The severity of the actions (though needed) have found many of us stuck at home, and the rest of us working flat out to keep our communities running. 

Recently I’ve noticed a lot of big talk about how easy it is to ‘simply stay at home’, being parroted across social media. Honestly it disappoints me that people I know have been posting this about their circles. It’s ignorant to assume that everyone’s needs are the same. Maybe it is ‘easy’ for those who don’t live alone, those who are still being kept busy working from home and those living without anxiety, depression and complex disorders. 

My BPD has me overthinking myself into a downward spiral at the best of times. Let alone with the constant shadow of COVID-19 looming over me. It’s in my news feed, my support groups and now even in my blog! (Granted that one’s my fault) It’s finding brand new ways to trigger my anxiety and work its way into my headspace. I’ve spoken to others who have been feeling the same thing. My mental health has been getting so bad, that by every evening I’ve been stressing so much, I’m getting that familiar drowning feeling I get before a breakdown. Either that or I feel like I’m walking through a very unsettling dream. 

Many people who have trauma in their past, automatically dissociate in stressful or anxiety provoking situations. 

Dissociation can be a coping mechanism we’ve developed in order to survive distressing situations. So if you're experiencing this sensation, you aren't alone. 

Please also remember that lockdown has taken our support services; a vital lifeline for many! There are no visits from our mental health teams, no therapies, no day services and certainly a serious lack of inpatient beds. Be kinder to each other. People ‘complaining’ they can’t go about their daily lives usually isn’t a sign of selfishness. A daily routine is what keeps many of us out of emotional distress. We’re experiencing a huge adjustment, so adapting won’t be easy for anyone.

Finally we may be socially distanced, but we are in this together. So please:

Remember those with mental health problems

Remember vulnerable people living alone

Remember those working around the clock

It’s not easy for everyone.

OutofDarkness Xx