The Efestivals social distancing / self isolating support thread

[Crazyfool01]

Just out of interest has anyone had to book standard doctors appointments lately ? I’ve had a tight chest for a couple of weeks which is self diagnosed as more than likely to be anxiety ... but don’t want to bother anyone ... are people finding they can still get normal standard appointments? Or video ... or is most shutdown for coronavirus ... I know it will vary but just wondered 

[Bryanrebe]

Day 10: Had to take both of my cats to the vet yesterday. One decided against social distancing and got in a fight. The other one just walked into something and cut itself.

Lucky vets are an essential service! You have to hand them in at the door then they phone you while you're inside your car. Then you pay by credit card over the phone. Very weird..

Anyway, here's Maeve and Frank. You can see the cut on Maeve's left ear. She also got bitten on her shoulder.

[Bryanrebe]

2 minutes ago, crazyfool1 said:

Just out of interest has anyone had to book standard doctors appointments lately ? I’ve had a tight chest for a couple of weeks which is self diagnosed as more than likely to be anxiety ... but don’t want to bother anyone ... are people finding they can still get normal standard appointments? Or video ... or is most shutdown for coronavirus ... I know it will vary but just wondered 

My doctor is doing phone appointments, you could see if you could do something similar?

[Crazyfool01]

Just now, Bryanrebe said:

My doctor is doing phone appointments, you could see if you could do something similar?

I reckon that’s probably the way I will go ... just don’t want to bother them ... but I guess that’s probably not helping the situation either ... thanks 

[Crazyfool01]

5 minutes ago, Bryanrebe said:

Day 10: Had to take both of my cats to the vet yesterday. One decided against social distancing and got in a fight. The other one just walked into something and cut itself.

Lucky vets are an essential service! You have to hand them in at the door then they phone you while you're inside your car. Then you pay by credit card over the phone. Very weird..

Anyway, here's Maeve and Frank. You can see the cut on Maeve's left ear. She also got bitten on her shoulder.

Well at least they happened at the same time so you could minimise the trips out  

[Sasperella]

35 minutes ago, crazyfool1 said:

I reckon that’s probably the way I will go ... just don’t want to bother them ... but I guess that’s probably not helping the situation either ... thanks 

Yeh, they book you in for a phone appointment and then diagnose if you need to come in or not. I think for some things they might even prescribe over the phone if it's possible... 

[Crazyfool01]

1 minute ago, Sasperella said:

Yeh, they book you in for a phone appointment and then diagnose if you need to come in or not. I think for some things they might even prescribe over the phone if it's possible... 

Thanks sas ... keep well x 

[Ozanne]

How's everyone doing?

 

I thought I'd check in, this has really been playing havoc with my anxiety and OCD. I suffer on various stages and manage it normally on a low dose of medication. But this week I've found that it's been tougher to handle. As an example I went out for a walk just now, popped into M&S and picked up some bits including 3 beers. My mind is saying I should've picked up 4 (even number I guess) and something bad will happen if I don't go back. The rational side of my mind is saying due to the restrictions going back isn't the right thing to do but it doesn't stop those tendencies creeping in.

 

I'm hoping after a bit of time when this becomes more 'normal' then it calms down, it's very draining though.

 

Maybe I shouldn't have written this but sod it.

[Crazyfool01]

@Ayrshire Chris just seen easyJet trending on twitter ... cant see any resolutions as yet but hopefully the pressure on there will make them back down like some others have done ...#easyjetrefund

[Crazyfool01]

14 minutes ago, Ozanne said:

How's everyone doing?

 

I thought I'd check in, this has really been playing havoc with my anxiety and OCD. I suffer on various stages and manage it normally on a low dose of medication. But this week I've found that it's been tougher to handle. As an example I went out for a walk just now, popped into M&S and picked up some bits including 3 beers. My mind is saying I should've picked up 4 (even number I guess) and something bad will happen if I don't go back. The rational side of my mind is saying due to the restrictions going back isn't the right thing to do but it doesn't stop those tendencies creeping in.

 

I'm hoping after a bit of time when this becomes more 'normal' then it calms down, it's very draining though.

 

Maybe I shouldn't have written this but sod it.

I dont how this works as its not something ive come across in my life but I will give the reassurance that you have absolutely definitely done the right thing ... does it work if you pick up another 3 next time ? so therefore you would have an even number of 6 over an even number of visits 2 ?

[Ozanne]

Just now, crazyfool1 said:

I dont how this works as its not something ive come across in my life but I will give the reassurance that you have absolutely definitely done the right thing ... does it work if you pick up another 3 next time ? so therefore you would have an even number of 6 over an even number of visits 2 ?

Thanks mate. It would potentially work, the weird thing is that I had an odd beer in my fridge so my initial thought was I'll grab quickly. I think it's because the whole situation is stressful in general at the moment so I find OCD thoughts harder to push away and ignore.

[Sasperella]

38 minutes ago, Ozanne said:

Maybe I shouldn't have written this but sod it.

Hi Ozanne. I think it's fine to share these things....it's actually kind of nice that we have this forum which can be an additional layer of support/communication on top of friends and family. And the plus is that nothing about our method of (virtual) socialising has to change at all because of Covid. I find that weirdly comforting. 

Im not sure I've ever experienced OCD, but I can imagine this bonkers scenario we've all found ourselves in can make those feelings more intense (just like all mental health stuff). Like crazyfool said, you definitely did the right thing. 

If you drink a beer right now so you have an even number left, does that help? 🙂

My week has been ok actually. I've been really busy somehow. Supposed to be using this time to do my PhD corrections (due on the 13th April), so you'd think lock down would actually be quite good for that..  yet I've still managed to not get round to it. That's what this afternoon is for I guess!

[ian the worm]

43 minutes ago, Ozanne said:

How's everyone doing?

 

I thought I'd check in, this has really been playing havoc with my anxiety and OCD. I suffer on various stages and manage it normally on a low dose of medication. But this week I've found that it's been tougher to handle. As an example I went out for a walk just now, popped into M&S and picked up some bits including 3 beers. My mind is saying I should've picked up 4 (even number I guess) and something bad will happen if I don't go back. The rational side of my mind is saying due to the restrictions going back isn't the right thing to do but it doesn't stop those tendencies creeping in.

 

I'm hoping after a bit of time when this becomes more 'normal' then it calms down, it's very draining though.

 

Maybe I shouldn't have written this but sod it.

Sympathies. My daughter counts random stuff and is meticulous with lining stuff up by height, colour, country of origin, order of purchase etc. Her need to do this comes and goes and we are able to joke about it most of the time. I understand that she sometimes needs to do it before she can settle. 

[BlueDaze]

i have always assumed that we all have a bit of OCD about us..... is that not the case???

I used to count things quite a lot when i was younger. Now i have things like towel folding and cat food tin stacking (by flavour and with the cat picture facing outward)

Now that my daughter has moved back home during this virus thingy, the dishwasher loading will be quite a challenge... whichever of us loads it, the other will rearrange it.

@Ozannedont let the OCD thing drag you down.. Im no shrink but it seems to me having a bit of order when all around is going batshit crazy is a pretty normal thing to do..

[Ozanne]

Thanks guys I appreciate the kind words. I think everyone does have a bit of OCD to some extent.I know that when you act on those OCD tendencies to try and get some relief in the long run it does more harm as you're wiring your brain to think that that is the only way to get rid of the feeling. When it actuality it's the opposite, you need to battle through and not give in; which in the one run will help to re-wire your brain.

 

However when I'm in the middle of those moments to think about that rationally and overcome is very hard. 

48 minutes ago, Sasperella said:

Hi Ozanne. I think it's fine to share these things....it's actually kind of nice that we have this forum which can be an additional layer of support/communication on top of friends and family. And the plus is that nothing about our method of (virtual) socialising has to change at all because of Covid. I find that weirdly comforting. 

Im not sure I've ever experienced OCD, but I can imagine this bonkers scenario we've all found ourselves in can make those feelings more intense (just like all mental health stuff). Like crazyfool said, you definitely did the right thing. 

If you drink a beer right now so you have an even number left, does that help? 🙂

My week has been ok actually. I've been really busy somehow. Supposed to be using this time to do my PhD corrections (due on the 13th April), so you'd think lock down would actually be quite good for that..  yet I've still managed to not get round to it. That's what this afternoon is for I guess!

It would help probably. However I managed to pre-occupy my mind by playing a game on my phone which seems to have helped!

 

Good luck with the PhD corrections!

[Crazyfool01]

Just been for my walk and walking past my friends house and saw this in the window the first of several in windows ... the message a simple one ... smile ... tough in these times but simple 

[Ayrshire Chris]

1 hour ago, crazyfool1 said:

Just been for my walk and walking past my friends house and saw this in the window the first of several in windows ... the message a simple one ... smile ...

Kids everywhere have been told to draw a rainbow and put it in their windows. A great idea 

[Crazyfool01]

3 minutes ago, Ayrshire Chris said:

Kids everywhere have been told to draw a rainbow and put it in their windows. A great idea 

ah i missed that but lovely to see 

[funkychick2007]

The rainbows are such a lovely Idea lots of talented Hidden Artists out there Of all ages putting a smile on peoples faces! 🌈

[ian the worm]

It’s a UK FB thingy I think..... RainbowTrails

Edited March 28, 2020 by ian the worm

[Crazyfool01]

I think I might join in  efest rainbow positing thread anyone ? 

Edited March 28, 2020 by crazyfool1

[Ozanne]

I've ordered a takeaway Dominoes! I had a £20 voucher for buying car insurance through Confused.com. That'll cheer me up along with the beers from earlier.

[Crazyfool01]

17 minutes ago, Ozanne said:

I've ordered a takeaway Dominoes! I had a £20 voucher for buying car insurance through Confused.com. That'll cheer me up along with the beers from earlier.

I’ve just had a pizza 🍕 too ... not as posh as dominos though ... might treat myself ... and as it’s the weekend .. you’ve convinced me to crack open a thatchers  

[Crazyfool01]

An eavis to cheer us up ... similar if not better than Santa  

Edited March 28, 2020 by crazyfool1

[funkychick2007]

1 hour ago, crazyfool1 said:

I think I might join in  efest rainbow positing thread anyone ? 

Definitely! AnythIng rainbow! Photos, Pictures, anything!!! Lets be creative!