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Ask A Pro Live: Life after Social Isolation
It's safe to say that 2020 has been a weird year. It has been a lot and going into social isolation has weighed really heavy on people. Now most of us are at a stage where restrictions are lifting, which brings a whole new set of concerns and challenges for many people.
This chat will most likely be quite broad as COVID-19 and social isolation has impacted people in different ways. Whether it's difficulty getting back into routine, social anxiety, weight gain, depression, study stress or work - we got you.
This month we are inviting our special guest Dr Joe to the forum to chat about how to stay well post social isolation. Read on to learn a little bit about our guest:
''Dr Joe is a psychologist who has worked for many years with young people in Australia doing face to face counselling.
He is passionate about the strengths of young people and working with them to get through tough times.
Though he ran with bulls for fun and nearly died in Spain, being European he has a very real and rational fear of sharks''
It's going to be a great conversation and I'm sure we will all walk away from it feeling better equipped to cope. We'll be chatting live on the 23rd of July so put it into your calendar and we'll see you there!
Join us live on the 23rd of July from 7:00pm - 9:00 pm (AEDT).
@WheresMySquishy all good, my GP managed to get me into someone else way earlier, but I was probably better off with the first appointment since I didn't really get any answers then... wait times can be so painful, I'm looking at my calendar now with all my appointments I've booked within the past two weeks all in mid-August! Even getting covid tested in my area has a two or so day wait, I'll need to check again.
Overwhelmed I don’t think so - yes there is a bigger demand – but counselling over the phone and video is possible also. The government and non-government services are providing extra funds and support. I use a free psychologist at my workplace to give me extra support. Even psychologists need support! I’m lucky with that. Headspace is still free of charge for young people. Look for help – it is out there – keep trying even if you are not impressed. If you get a bad haircut you find a better hairdresser, it is the same with counsellors, psychologists, psychiatrists.
Hey everyone! I just was reading along I think the balance between being the model citizen locking down and keeping their distance, and not being a martyr who lets yourself suffer unnecessarily is really hard in these times. I think it's hard to deal with people whose reactions seem to be unreasonable or extreme but at the end of the day you just have to do your bit.
Personally one benefit I've had is that I've been able to become more sincere in some of my interactions with others. I had huge fights with my parents which cleared the air even though they were awful at the time. I've also realised how much I really appreciate my partner due to missing him! My brother had to learn to cook meals at home because he couldn't take his new gf out for dinner
I'm loving these responses and learning so much from them all - thank you all so much!
@GuestPsychologist I definitely found myself nodding along to this question, I know a few people in my life are feeling pretty anxious about leaving their bubbles at the moment..
How do you cope with people who do not want to leave isolation? I have friends who I think I will probably not see much of anymore because of their anxiety of returning to normal 😞
How can we approach friends and re-connect with them after not seeing them in a while?
this is trick because sometimes our friends if we have them are quite different -
Do you still chat online, video? We do need to try stay connected. Humans are built for that connection – it keeps us well. We are social animals even those more introverted.
Try staying in touch on socials and video more so. It is so good to see people on video calls. When isolation ends adjustment may be challenging – though we adjust all the time, and we will get there. Imagine there will be a time hopefully soon when there is a vaccine and we will all look back with relief that we all got through this. So take some caution and we will.
Not easily – this is new for everyone. It seems introverts are managing this better. They prefer alone time. It is still possible to socialise just safely from a distance. So when you are ‘out’ – enjoy it, be grateful, knowing it may end soon.
I am a bit rebellious while being careful of course!
My number 1 tip would be to find safe ways to avoid isolation. In Australia we have always been allowed out to exercise apart from the recent hard lockdown in 9 housing towers in Melbourne, when people could not leave their homes at all. That is really tough.
I’m an extrovert – I like being around people a lot. I’ve really struggled with isolation. I still go out of the house daily. I live in NSW so we have always been able to exercise, go to a café etc. So if you are allowed out – go out – use a mask, meet people but stay socially distanced. We all need to take responsibility and not pass on the virus to anyone especially the old and vulnerable. Use video, whatsapp or other tools. My parents live overseas I’ve been using video with them for years – it’s my only option.
Sorry guys , this thread is running so fast it's hard to keep up, love it! Joe's @GuestPsychologist answer above was to our first question from the community - How do I get back into my hobbies if I lack the motivation?
Oh wait @Janine-RO are these questions just for @GuestPsychologist to answer or do we answer them or? I’m so sorry I feel so silly..
personally i have really struggled with these changes so i know i will get a good lift and inspiration for all of you online tonight - TY!
Thanks for taking the time to chat with us tonight @GuestPsychologist!!
This is such an amazing idea @Janine-RO and I think RO should do this more often! Like have guest speakers on here.. like it would be cool to talk to professionals in certain fields. Idk what the ethics and stuff is like but even just hearing @GuestPsychologist mention ACT, like I've never heard of it before ans would love to hear about it more but know this isn't the time. And idk, just hearing from psychs that are maybe specialised in certain diagnosis? Just a suggestion cause this is SUPER COOL!!! And I know for me I really struggle to tell my psych the truth whereas if there was a guest speaker on here I would feel so much more comfortable asking those awkward and scary questions and knowing it's a therapist giving their response if that makes sense? Idk. I think RO is onto something here! Well done!!
Anyway... @GuestPsychologist I do have a question for you.. I'm finding myself getting annoyed with people when they complain they can't go out to eat or play sport etc and how it sucks being at home. Like I totally get it but sometimes I feel like screaming at them that that's me every bloody day!! Unable to do those things because of my mental health. Idk. I totally sympathise with them but sometimes it becomes too much. Any suggestions on how I can feel less guilty about it and not get so annoyed at them so easily?
Okkk WOW this was seriously such an amazing chat to read through. I have been really struggling with things lately and reading through everyone's comments has given me a renewed sense of hope - so thank you to everyone.
@GuestPsychologist your insights were invaluable thank you so much - and to everyone who participated and shared their responses as well. It really added to the conversation to have that diversity of perspective, as we are all different and need different things.
Also just wanted to let you know @MB95 that we do have these live chats with a guest once a month - just head over to the Ask A Pro board to find all the ones we've had and upcoming ones.
These quotes from Joe are sooo on point!!!
Look for help – it is out there – keep trying even if you are not impressed. If you get a bad haircut you find a better hairdresser, it is the same with counsellors, psychologists, psychiatrists.
we will outlive this shit
we are all adapting - humans are good at it - not easy but we will do it!
Acceptance is everything but not easy. If we can accept the changes, the challenges, it is easier to live with.
@Bre-RO love the quotes you selected, @GuestPsychologist does have a frank way with words
@Bananatime04 that's totally valid, we all have to step back occasionally, hopefully we'll see you around!
@MB95 I relate to that so much, it's what's making me feel the worst about this whole thing. Even little things bug me, like people going out of their way to stay connected to each other when I have no one in my life to connect with even if I ask them. I think what helps would be to recognise that it's a strength to recognise this frustration with yourself + others. For most other people, these emotions are completely new. Maybe you could try sharing your coping mechanisms? Just recognise how strong you are for having to deal with a situation like this for longer than others!
I'm not feeling the best so I might have to go (or pop in and out). I'll be sure to check in later if that happens, though!
Thanks @Hozzles ❤
I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one that gets frustrated by it.. like I totally understand we are all dealing with this differently but sometimes it just annoys me when I hear others turning things into bigger deals then they are and just willy nilly saying they feel so depressed because they can't see their friends. I don't wanna sound like I'm not caring because I am, I just get annoyed when people who are far from depressed use the word so effortlessly. Like I feel like pulling them up and explaining to them what real depression is! Ugh. Anyway, I'll shut up now cause I don't wanna sound like I'm not caring or taking the time to understand others, because I am. But thanks for sharing!
I hope you're okay. This thread is good but also bringing up a lot of emotion and thoughts so hang in there. I think it's great you've acknowledged you need to take a break ❤
no problem - thanks for sharing. it is really important to acknowledge that this is a really hard time and for us all to be kind to each other - as in - be kind to yourself.
Most things that were steady and safe and fundamental in our lives have been shaken up.
THAT IS HUGE. but perspective is good too - the vast majority of people that get covid will be fine. life will return close to what we knew
When we get really annoyed at others it is worth looking at ourselves - someone wise said others are just a mirror of us and iot is worth asking why really do others bother us. Its hard - I'm cranky