How awful for you! That must be terrible! I have only one suggestion and that is what I always turn to when things look bad and that is prayer. Just talk to God like a good friend and he is! Tell him your problems and ask for his help. It does state in the Bible to "Ask and it shall be given to you." Then, have faith and wait for the answers.

Prayer does work. I remember a time when we had very little food and no money. I turned to God in prayer and faith. We got an unexpected check in the mail! Answers to prayer may not always come fast but just keep praying and your prayers will be answered.

I will remember you in my prayers too.
PML

xpax, I am so sorry. I know this sounds beyond difficult, but, try and be around others when you can, even if you have nothing to give. You need the social activity. COVID can cause alot of things with a lot of people. Everyone reacts differently to COVID....some have anxiety and depression with it. Try and keep your mind busy on other things like reading, a crossword puzzle, etc., Praying for you right now. I care. Keep me posted.

I am sorry. I can identify with you after having lifelong anxiety / depression. There are some conditions that we inherit that can cause it. Do you know your cholesterol readings, especially your LDL? Very low LDL can cause anxiety / depression (per Mayo Clinic).

I learned this a couple years ago and have been taking Omega 3 fish oil daily and have been doing better. LDL is always referred to as "bad", but we do need a certain level to keep us in balance. The psychatrists in Australia recognize the problems of low LDL, but not in the states.
It is a condition that needs to get into balance, so keep a focus for a solution. Try some light exercise when you can, especially outdoors if possible. Short walks in nature can help. Also, try challenging puzzles, reading a good book or doing a hobby as a mental break. Most of all, remember you are a good person and it will get better.

71 YO housebound female here on episode 3 of Long COVID. I started using the Calm meditation app on my cell phone for the 'sleep stories' over a year ago to get me thru the 3am hour. Now do one or two 10 minutes meditations daily. There are a variety of easy meditation apps available.
Altho it took several phone calls to get access, I also now have a weekly telehealth session with a medical social worker. Being able to process thru my thoughts regularly has really been helpful.

Extremely sorry for your difficulties.

I happen to know folks with significant hearing problems. For them, loud noises are a huge problem.

Just want to share with you a few aids.

Of course, ear plugs. For me, just stuff some cotton in my ears works better than any plug I have found.

You can go more professional. You can buy the professional "ear muffs" that airport tarmac workers use. For about $150 they will block just about all sound...since they are designed to block jet engine noise.

And, you can go more professional than that...and soundproof a room. A basic form of soundproofing is not all that expensive. Many articles online.
+++
I am a former violent crime victim. Unfortunately, in 1982, I was kidnapped and held for a time.

Needless to say, that was horrible for my mental health.

I developed panic attacks. What ended the panic attacks was breathing exercises. And, that did not happen suddenly slowly got better and better over a couple of years.

So, I definitely recommend breathing exercises. I also recommend Hatha Yoga relaxation techniques and meditation as well. Meditation takes time to get good at, but does start to help a bit right away. The physical relaxation exercises often help right away.

And read into both stress reduction as well as stress management. If you are in an office during the workday and just take out 2 minutes of each hour, to rest your eyes and look out the window, that can help. Many of these "life hacks" can make a difference.

I absolutely believe in regular counseling. Helps tons. I have tried the online versions. They did not work well for me. Not enough contact and interaction with the therapist. Maybe better than nothing...but, you know, it is kind of the "fast food" version of therapy.

And here's the thing. I have been in this fight since 1982 /1983. Every technique we try helps. And it can build. Over time we get better and better at coping through our difficulties. So, there is always hope.

And if it gets really really bad? Then, just do nothing. Just take a rest, go lie down, go watch TV and eat some junk food...take a break until the clouds clear a bit. For me, it usually breaks within a couple of hours. But I have had to endure up to a couple of weeks.

In over 40 years, whatever wave of depression hit, it also, eventually passed.

We can wait out the worst of the storm.

So very very sorry about the problems.

Take care now.

Samcal,
Great post. I too experienced a crime with a gun held to my head, tied up and blindfolded. It was a fairly short episode and at the time, I felt I handled it ok. I never went for counseling. I was pretty much ok until I got physically ill with Covid. Somehow that seemed to bring everything crashing down on me.
I have done all the various “life hacks” you suggest.
Some things seem so small, but DO help. Deep breathing will settle me down quite quickly. BUT, for doubters, you have to give it a try. It takes time to perfect, and get the calming result.
I’m still waiting for the storm to pass from LC.
But, I do have hope.
Thanks for your post.

Hello, I am in my 3rd week of covid still waiting to improve. My thirst is like I am in the desert with sand in my throat. I am exhausted from doing nothing. I love to cook, but I get dizzy when I stand up, so I am surviving on frozen dinners. Meals on Wheels might come next week, but who knows if that will happen. I never heard of Long Covid until I got Covid. I hope my letter makes you feel a little bit better. I don't know what to do either. I have read so many sad posts here of endless agony. I can only hope we both get better. I need to take another nap now because I am so tired all the time. You may write back if you would like to. Tell me something positive as I too have found it difficult to live with.

You are loved