Quarantine and mood: Have you noticed any changes?

Personally, I don't think quarantine has affected my mood. I am very depressed right now, but I was in isolation for 6 weeks before I even became depressed. I think this is just a chemical imbalance -- i.e., a random mood episode. But being stuck inside with no communication (besides internet, teletherapy, and FaceTime) only intensifies my negative feelings, which in turn exacerbates my overall mood. I need to talk to people face to face, but I am scared to do that.

My mood is great, but that’s probably because I’m doing well on my meds with some recent changes. Also, I’m a complete loner anyway so I’m used to long periods with no interaction with other people, I just have one friend that lives near me

I'm glad to hear you're doing well, Blue_Bird.

I don't really interact with people a lot either. Although I thought was an introvert, it doesn't appear to be the case now, after being in isolation for 6 weeks and going nuts. I think I need to leave at least once every two weeks to be socially satisfied, but in general, I can stay in my apartment without leaving for about 2 weeks. But right now, staying in for 6 weeks and only going out twice is really pushing it.

I am an extrovert so Im searching for social interaction- that usually means facebook chat or text message or the phone.

I'm doing well, like Blue_Bird. Though I enjoy interacting with people, I am an introvert in that I love plenty of "me time" and am very good at entertaining myself. But my hubby has been home for several days. I like that a lot, but he still must spend the majority of the day working in his home office. I like our lunches together, and my little visits to his home office, but I still like my time alone.I've been ultra busy with plenty of projects. More than usual. Part of it is residual upswing in my mood, another part is that having hubby home, I like to feel I'm contributing more equally.

So far, so good. It's only technically been 2 days for me, but I don't actually anticipate any problems. I'm also perfectly content to hang out with myself. I have so many things to do, and now I actually have time to do them(!)

I think it may well help that I'm just taking everything one step at a time, and not freaking out about the future. I have no control of it, so what's the point? I'm continuing to practice gratitude. For all that I have RIGHT NOW.

As far as social interaction, I'm emailing and texting to keep up with people. Haven't FaceTimed yet, but sure I will. In communication with a couple others that my communication had lapsed with. Having a virtual MeetUp tomorrow. We'll see how that goes, it will probably be fun.

I'm listening to music, dancing around my room, drawing, doing various creative endeavors and projects of organizing and cleaning. I'm going to try yoga soon (checking out a youtube recommended by Fern46).

Honestly, I'm having a great time so far. Mood is excellent.

*********
Mr. Robot

Makes me sick to the heart, Oh I feel so tired. And the way the rain comes down hard, that's how I feel inside.

--The Cure

Today shifted for me. I'm extremely anxious. I don't think that my recent med changes are helping.. i made a list of things to do and I'm trying to stay active and get sunlight everyday. Today, it's not helping. Tomorrow, I have a telesession with my therapist. I'm anxious about that too.

Being at home is not an issue as basically for months I made one major shopping trip a month and then usually needed milk eggs bread kind thing every couple weeks, and I see my T twice a month and I see my Rhuemy every 6 weeks. We have Zero money to go anywhere and do anything anyway.

Now this Corona has hit, I will not be seeing my T twice a month,not sure how he is handling his clients to be honest. My Rhuemys office is in an area with confirmed cases so that's a wait and see.. its not until April 30th so who knows.

The only thing that has really changed is my anxiety level.

I'm totally content in quarantine. I isolate all the time. It's just odd that now the whole world is doing it. I had a phone session with my psychiatrist today. I told him I'm one patient he doesn't have to worry about right now because I'm totally in my comfort zone. He said, "we still have to work on that." I strongly disagreed. We both laughed.

I've already been in isolation 14 days, although the executive order was issued just yesterday.

I can do the isolation part quite easily as I tend to be an introvert irl. HOWEVER, I have another family member in my house and it's not going well for her. She's an extrovert in a major way,and... it looks like she is already getting depressed, super anxious, even agitated. She becomes very hyper focused upon her health and upon every day aches/pains which go along with her long-term osteoarthritis, etc., as though these are new and alarming symptoms in need of immediate investigation. I hate to say it, this person's quirks simply tires me out.

If you interact with someone who cannot get along without other people for awhile (and without things like constant external approval ) and become super down and depleted on their own...watch out! It is very likely that person draws off of others' energy in order to function. Boundaries are in order, if not, this type of person will rather quickly deplete your own energy.

In some circles, this type of person might be referred to as: an "energy vampire." Some sensitive people might be in tune enough that they feel this dynamic (a draw on their own energy) going on very quickly upon exposure to persons seemingly unable to generate their own energy. This may well be a red flag to practice good boundaries and to possibly even not interact with the person, especially if your own reserves are a bit low at the time.

Love and Great Health to All!

The only change I've noticed is an increase in anxiety and I'm agitated, but my PRNs help.

I've not noticed a diffrence in mood (partly because corona aside, I am in quarinteen anyway)

I just notice longing for certain things

mcdonalds. my disney fix. wanting to get new books from the library

I don’t care about isolating, I’m an introvert anyway and would love nothing more than to stay in the house. However, my anxiety over the whole situation is getting worse every day. I have started having nightmares about family getting sick. I am terrified I will get sick and die because I have nothing set up for my son as to where he would go. I’m just anxious in general. I keep reading fire news stories about how the US is not prepared, we never were prepared, there are PPE shortages and supply chains being disrupted, just everything seems so hopeless. I’m trying not to go on fb anymore because it just upsets me too much.

Well I haven't been isolating because I work in healthcare, I've been practicing social distancing, still seeing family, and grocery shopping. My therapy has changed to facetime, and I can't have coffee with the seniors anymore. My mom can't come to my apt. But I can still go to her house. I can't meet my daughter on Wednesday at a restaurant, or have her over, so there's some change but I'm surviving. I hope thing ends soon. I feel like God has grounded me. And I never got grounded.

I do not handle isolation well at all, if it is over a long period of time. There is allot for me to do, like cleaning the house, and my hobbies and activities. The cell phone helps, but is not the same as just getting away and just doing something. I also really like to go somewhere and talk to different people face-to-face. So in absence of this, my anxiety level shoots up.