Is anyone else with PTSD having struggles with all of the face masks and lack of respect for social distancing? I have been having some struggles with things I am seeing. So thankful for senior hours. Seems the world has become an even less welcome place.
I have debilitating anxiety. The face masks make it worse. If worn too long I become dizzy, feel faint and nauseous. This is a nightmare. I guess I’ll just totally isolate.
@gingerw No excuses needed here. I am afraid to leave my home due to all of the violence and destruction of public property. So much for the microscopic viruses at this point as it has taken a back seat for now in my area. Bitterness is not my usual style but when public property is being vandalized I wonder where it all will end. Can't change it, can't fix it. I am only responsible for my own behavior and I will keep my hatches battened.
I am sorry to hear about your feet issues. People who have their health need to be more grateful rather than fussing and feuding. My discomfort is minimal in comparison. My toes are only tinged with blue.
Endeavoring to not get stupid and paranoid.
@gingerw No excuses needed here. I am afraid to leave my home due to all of the violence and destruction of public property. So much for the microscopic viruses at this point as it has taken a back seat for now in my area. Bitterness is not my usual style but when public property is being vandalized I wonder where it all will end. Can't change it, can't fix it. I am only responsible for my own behavior and I will keep my hatches battened.
I am sorry to hear about your feet issues. People who have their health need to be more grateful rather than fussing and feuding. My discomfort is minimal in comparison. My toes are only tinged with blue.
Endeavoring to not get stupid and paranoid.
@parus I think this post was meant for @peach414144 not me.
But I did want to respond to PTSD escalation and mask wearing plus civil feelings at this time. I continue to wear my mask, while almost everyone around me chooses not to. Yesterday I was at a meeting, and there was no social distancing observed, nor was there another mask there. It was very uncomfortable.
The destruction of property will not advance a cause. It serves to make me sad.
Ginger
Yes, I am sure that some of us are having these difficulties. The world is constantly changing over and again. We really are the same as everyone else but with a few more horrors added to our lives. Many people could not put up with what we have to but we do. I am now in constant pain with no pulse in my feet due to chronic venous insufficiency. My feet are turning black. Perhaps this will keep my mind off the world's conflict's. Excuse my bitterness as sometimes PTSD overcomes me. Some how I will smile and good luck to you.
My wife made cotton masks for us, and I often find myself the only person wearing one in stores and restaurants, though for the most part, employees are wearing masks. Way too many people don't get the distancing.
I hadn't thought about how I feel in a mask, but given a nudge from you, I realize that it's almost certainly having an effect on my anxiety. I sometimes feel smothered and short of breath and dizzy if I wear it for very long. A somewhat more serious contributor to the anxiety is that I started a new medication a few weeks ago, and a significant side effect is that it suppresses the autoimmune system. I really don't need that right now. I see that it's making me hyper vigilant about staying safe.
It all adds up. PTSD, depression, anxiety and two kinds of neuropathy. At my Zoom therapy session this morning, I talked about this. And the other issue that compounds everything is suicidal thoughts. At least they're only thoughts now, and I can set them aside by thinking about some things that I want to do, some this week and some at the end of the summer. The tough one is 2 years from now, when my wife and I will celebrate our 50th anniversary by taking a cruise to Alaska. I've been saving money for several years, and I really want to do it.
Fortunately we live in a rural area where there was a silent march one day, but no violence. Adding that to the mix would be more than I can handle right now.
Because we live on ten acres out in the country, we pretty much stay home already by choice. We're naturally hermits, and semi isolate without being told to, except to get groceries, see doctors, and drive through fast food. We've been missing church, though, and we just found out that our church will be starting morning worship service this Sunday. It's going to be a bit strange, seeing everyone wearing masks and sitting 6' away from each other. A couple of years ago, our church got rid of the old uncomfortable pews and replaced them with chairs, so it should be a lot easier to do the distancing by moving chairs around. But no hugs or handshakes, and no coffee in the lobby. Even without the coffee, we're still looking forward to it.
At times like this, it's important, though not easy, to carve out a space for experiencing a level of peace. My space is my yard and gardens. It even seems to reduce my pain - well, maybe not reduce the pain, but at least reduce my awareness of it. I never listen to a radio or music when I'm working outside, much as I love music. The silence is serene. In the summer, I hear the sound of our irrigation sprinklers, and our neighbors'. I hear the cows in our pasture, sometimes a dog barking, horses winneying, at mowing time there are the hay mowers, rakes and bailers. At night there are millions of stars, and the sounds of frogs and insects. I have a lot to be grateful for. My life is far from what I had planned 20 years ago, but in the midst of violence, disunity, hostility, pandemic, and uncertainty, I'm thankful that God has brought me to this place and time.
My wife made cotton masks for us, and I often find myself the only person wearing one in stores and restaurants, though for the most part, employees are wearing masks. Way too many people don't get the distancing.
I hadn't thought about how I feel in a mask, but given a nudge from you, I realize that it's almost certainly having an effect on my anxiety. I sometimes feel smothered and short of breath and dizzy if I wear it for very long. A somewhat more serious contributor to the anxiety is that I started a new medication a few weeks ago, and a significant side effect is that it suppresses the autoimmune system. I really don't need that right now. I see that it's making me hyper vigilant about staying safe.
It all adds up. PTSD, depression, anxiety and two kinds of neuropathy. At my Zoom therapy session this morning, I talked about this. And the other issue that compounds everything is suicidal thoughts. At least they're only thoughts now, and I can set them aside by thinking about some things that I want to do, some this week and some at the end of the summer. The tough one is 2 years from now, when my wife and I will celebrate our 50th anniversary by taking a cruise to Alaska. I've been saving money for several years, and I really want to do it.
Fortunately we live in a rural area where there was a silent march one day, but no violence. Adding that to the mix would be more than I can handle right now.
Because we live on ten acres out in the country, we pretty much stay home already by choice. We're naturally hermits, and semi isolate without being told to, except to get groceries, see doctors, and drive through fast food. We've been missing church, though, and we just found out that our church will be starting morning worship service this Sunday. It's going to be a bit strange, seeing everyone wearing masks and sitting 6' away from each other. A couple of years ago, our church got rid of the old uncomfortable pews and replaced them with chairs, so it should be a lot easier to do the distancing by moving chairs around. But no hugs or handshakes, and no coffee in the lobby. Even without the coffee, we're still looking forward to it.
At times like this, it's important, though not easy, to carve out a space for experiencing a level of peace. My space is my yard and gardens. It even seems to reduce my pain - well, maybe not reduce the pain, but at least reduce my awareness of it. I never listen to a radio or music when I'm working outside, much as I love music. The silence is serene. In the summer, I hear the sound of our irrigation sprinklers, and our neighbors'. I hear the cows in our pasture, sometimes a dog barking, horses winneying, at mowing time there are the hay mowers, rakes and bailers. At night there are millions of stars, and the sounds of frogs and insects. I have a lot to be grateful for. My life is far from what I had planned 20 years ago, but in the midst of violence, disunity, hostility, pandemic, and uncertainty, I'm thankful that God has brought me to this place and time.
@parus I think this post was meant for @peach414144 not me.
But I did want to respond to PTSD escalation and mask wearing plus civil feelings at this time. I continue to wear my mask, while almost everyone around me chooses not to. Yesterday I was at a meeting, and there was no social distancing observed, nor was there another mask there. It was very uncomfortable.
The destruction of property will not advance a cause. It serves to make me sad.
Ginger
Hello Ginger yes you are right. It is important to wear the mas if you are older, have diabetes and all the other medical issues that go with it. This is to protect you. Almost all of the younger people without medical issues usually do not wear the masks because the virus does not affect them as much as it does with us older and sicker people. (UNTIL AND IF THE VIRUS MUTATES (CHANGES) We PTSD people are more up tight and rightesly so because of out PTSD. Let them live their lives the way the want to and we will live our lives the way we want to. Wearing the masks will not be forever and probably will be the bunt of many jokes for a long time. The destruction of property is coming from some people who are trying to take over. To me it is a coup (hope I spellt it right.) You, I and many, many other people know right from wrong. And then there are the others who come from a different mind set and do wrong, hurtful, lawless and evil deeds. Hold on tight and VOTE. There is still much love in this world
My wife made cotton masks for us, and I often find myself the only person wearing one in stores and restaurants, though for the most part, employees are wearing masks. Way too many people don't get the distancing.
I hadn't thought about how I feel in a mask, but given a nudge from you, I realize that it's almost certainly having an effect on my anxiety. I sometimes feel smothered and short of breath and dizzy if I wear it for very long. A somewhat more serious contributor to the anxiety is that I started a new medication a few weeks ago, and a significant side effect is that it suppresses the autoimmune system. I really don't need that right now. I see that it's making me hyper vigilant about staying safe.
It all adds up. PTSD, depression, anxiety and two kinds of neuropathy. At my Zoom therapy session this morning, I talked about this. And the other issue that compounds everything is suicidal thoughts. At least they're only thoughts now, and I can set them aside by thinking about some things that I want to do, some this week and some at the end of the summer. The tough one is 2 years from now, when my wife and I will celebrate our 50th anniversary by taking a cruise to Alaska. I've been saving money for several years, and I really want to do it.
Fortunately we live in a rural area where there was a silent march one day, but no violence. Adding that to the mix would be more than I can handle right now.
Because we live on ten acres out in the country, we pretty much stay home already by choice. We're naturally hermits, and semi isolate without being told to, except to get groceries, see doctors, and drive through fast food. We've been missing church, though, and we just found out that our church will be starting morning worship service this Sunday. It's going to be a bit strange, seeing everyone wearing masks and sitting 6' away from each other. A couple of years ago, our church got rid of the old uncomfortable pews and replaced them with chairs, so it should be a lot easier to do the distancing by moving chairs around. But no hugs or handshakes, and no coffee in the lobby. Even without the coffee, we're still looking forward to it.
At times like this, it's important, though not easy, to carve out a space for experiencing a level of peace. My space is my yard and gardens. It even seems to reduce my pain - well, maybe not reduce the pain, but at least reduce my awareness of it. I never listen to a radio or music when I'm working outside, much as I love music. The silence is serene. In the summer, I hear the sound of our irrigation sprinklers, and our neighbors'. I hear the cows in our pasture, sometimes a dog barking, horses winneying, at mowing time there are the hay mowers, rakes and bailers. At night there are millions of stars, and the sounds of frogs and insects. I have a lot to be grateful for. My life is far from what I had planned 20 years ago, but in the midst of violence, disunity, hostility, pandemic, and uncertainty, I'm thankful that God has brought me to this place and time.
@jimhd Thank you for the breath of fresh air. Just as the dawn is breaking I head out for my walk. I hear the Great Blue Herons, the Red Wings and the melodious House Wrens along with other morning greeters. An unexpected treat was a pair of Wood Ducks. The maintenance manager mows a swath across the field to the other retention pond for those of us who are nature lovers and also some of the older fishermen. Blessings upon him for doing so. We are all thankful for our humble retirement community and that we have all been spared the terrifying COVID19. We mostly shelter in place. I make my own masks from old T-shirts. It works and I too feel smothered but can manage for those brief grocery trips twice a month. The employees wear masks and it makes things easier.
@parus I think this post was meant for @peach414144 not me.
But I did want to respond to PTSD escalation and mask wearing plus civil feelings at this time. I continue to wear my mask, while almost everyone around me chooses not to. Yesterday I was at a meeting, and there was no social distancing observed, nor was there another mask there. It was very uncomfortable.
The destruction of property will not advance a cause. It serves to make me sad.
Ginger
@gingerw Proof positive I had not forgotten about you...or, I was having one of my true SENIOR moments. Mayhap I should stick to my drawing pencils.
True that destruction of property will not advance a cause or at least I don't think so either.
Hello everyone, sorry for not posting for awhile, I have just been so involved with family over the past month or so I really just didn't have the energy to do much of anything. I have been posting to Mayos aging forum as I needed some help with that too. Through our communications I now have a good handle on my aging process, so one problem solved. I just wanted to check in and let everyone know I am still among the living and I'll be back with a post a little later. Hang in there. Jeanie
Last night I went back to the beginning of this thread, in part because some members of the depression and anxiety in old age group were wishing there was a forum for abuse recovery. @gingerw I'm not sure how to direct them to this conversation. Perhaps you could help me.
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I have debilitating anxiety. The face masks make it worse. If worn too long I become dizzy, feel faint and nauseous. This is a nightmare. I guess I’ll just totally isolate.
@gingerw No excuses needed here. I am afraid to leave my home due to all of the violence and destruction of public property. So much for the microscopic viruses at this point as it has taken a back seat for now in my area. Bitterness is not my usual style but when public property is being vandalized I wonder where it all will end. Can't change it, can't fix it. I am only responsible for my own behavior and I will keep my hatches battened.
I am sorry to hear about your feet issues. People who have their health need to be more grateful rather than fussing and feuding. My discomfort is minimal in comparison. My toes are only tinged with blue.
Endeavoring to not get stupid and paranoid.
@parus I think this post was meant for @peach414144 not me.
But I did want to respond to PTSD escalation and mask wearing plus civil feelings at this time. I continue to wear my mask, while almost everyone around me chooses not to. Yesterday I was at a meeting, and there was no social distancing observed, nor was there another mask there. It was very uncomfortable.
The destruction of property will not advance a cause. It serves to make me sad.
Ginger
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2 Reactions@peach414144 @parus @sears @gingerw
My wife made cotton masks for us, and I often find myself the only person wearing one in stores and restaurants, though for the most part, employees are wearing masks. Way too many people don't get the distancing.
I hadn't thought about how I feel in a mask, but given a nudge from you, I realize that it's almost certainly having an effect on my anxiety. I sometimes feel smothered and short of breath and dizzy if I wear it for very long. A somewhat more serious contributor to the anxiety is that I started a new medication a few weeks ago, and a significant side effect is that it suppresses the autoimmune system. I really don't need that right now. I see that it's making me hyper vigilant about staying safe.
It all adds up. PTSD, depression, anxiety and two kinds of neuropathy. At my Zoom therapy session this morning, I talked about this. And the other issue that compounds everything is suicidal thoughts. At least they're only thoughts now, and I can set them aside by thinking about some things that I want to do, some this week and some at the end of the summer. The tough one is 2 years from now, when my wife and I will celebrate our 50th anniversary by taking a cruise to Alaska. I've been saving money for several years, and I really want to do it.
Fortunately we live in a rural area where there was a silent march one day, but no violence. Adding that to the mix would be more than I can handle right now.
Because we live on ten acres out in the country, we pretty much stay home already by choice. We're naturally hermits, and semi isolate without being told to, except to get groceries, see doctors, and drive through fast food. We've been missing church, though, and we just found out that our church will be starting morning worship service this Sunday. It's going to be a bit strange, seeing everyone wearing masks and sitting 6' away from each other. A couple of years ago, our church got rid of the old uncomfortable pews and replaced them with chairs, so it should be a lot easier to do the distancing by moving chairs around. But no hugs or handshakes, and no coffee in the lobby. Even without the coffee, we're still looking forward to it.
At times like this, it's important, though not easy, to carve out a space for experiencing a level of peace. My space is my yard and gardens. It even seems to reduce my pain - well, maybe not reduce the pain, but at least reduce my awareness of it. I never listen to a radio or music when I'm working outside, much as I love music. The silence is serene. In the summer, I hear the sound of our irrigation sprinklers, and our neighbors'. I hear the cows in our pasture, sometimes a dog barking, horses winneying, at mowing time there are the hay mowers, rakes and bailers. At night there are millions of stars, and the sounds of frogs and insects. I have a lot to be grateful for. My life is far from what I had planned 20 years ago, but in the midst of violence, disunity, hostility, pandemic, and uncertainty, I'm thankful that God has brought me to this place and time.
Jim
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4 ReactionsWhat a beautiful post, @jimhd. It reminded me of all that I have to be grateful for!
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4 ReactionsHello Ginger yes you are right. It is important to wear the mas if you are older, have diabetes and all the other medical issues that go with it. This is to protect you. Almost all of the younger people without medical issues usually do not wear the masks because the virus does not affect them as much as it does with us older and sicker people. (UNTIL AND IF THE VIRUS MUTATES (CHANGES) We PTSD people are more up tight and rightesly so because of out PTSD. Let them live their lives the way the want to and we will live our lives the way we want to. Wearing the masks will not be forever and probably will be the bunt of many jokes for a long time. The destruction of property is coming from some people who are trying to take over. To me it is a coup (hope I spellt it right.) You, I and many, many other people know right from wrong. And then there are the others who come from a different mind set and do wrong, hurtful, lawless and evil deeds. Hold on tight and VOTE. There is still much love in this world
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Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactions@jimhd Thank you for the breath of fresh air. Just as the dawn is breaking I head out for my walk. I hear the Great Blue Herons, the Red Wings and the melodious House Wrens along with other morning greeters. An unexpected treat was a pair of Wood Ducks. The maintenance manager mows a swath across the field to the other retention pond for those of us who are nature lovers and also some of the older fishermen. Blessings upon him for doing so. We are all thankful for our humble retirement community and that we have all been spared the terrifying COVID19. We mostly shelter in place. I make my own masks from old T-shirts. It works and I too feel smothered but can manage for those brief grocery trips twice a month. The employees wear masks and it makes things easier.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@gingerw Proof positive I had not forgotten about you...or, I was having one of my true SENIOR moments. Mayhap I should stick to my drawing pencils.
True that destruction of property will not advance a cause or at least I don't think so either.
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Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHello everyone, sorry for not posting for awhile, I have just been so involved with family over the past month or so I really just didn't have the energy to do much of anything. I have been posting to Mayos aging forum as I needed some help with that too. Through our communications I now have a good handle on my aging process, so one problem solved. I just wanted to check in and let everyone know I am still among the living and I'll be back with a post a little later. Hang in there. Jeanie
-
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Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactions@parus @peach414144
Last night I went back to the beginning of this thread, in part because some members of the depression and anxiety in old age group were wishing there was a forum for abuse recovery. @gingerw I'm not sure how to direct them to this conversation. Perhaps you could help me.
Jim
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Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions