Confusion about my social isolation rules

I don't know what CFS is and of course I am newly diagnosed with asthma. But, you know, my lungs and bronchial tubes are...compromised. I didn't want to talk too much about it but Covid 19 scares me. It destroys lung tissue. It's horrible. When I think about that aspect...I feel okay just freaking sheltering in place.

Living in a tiny apartment is hell on earth. After divorce I went from a large house with land, to a large rental house, to a townhouse, then an apartment with just a porch, and now a studio apartment. It's the kind of place you don't want to hang around in. I mean everyone who comes in says its cozy...but damn, space is life to me and this is like death. But if you can go out often then it is manageable.

I was already pretty depressed before Covid 19 hit. Well, severely depressed, treatment resistant, suicidally depressed. Now it seems like there's really no time to be depressed. I need a plan. I need a plan.

CFS = Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

I believe if you put a mask on a walk in the fresh air is good for you. the exercise will boost you mentally, and physically. the sunshine helps, the fresh air helps and the exercise helps. chances are you probably may not even need a mask but if it makes you feel better wear it. stay inside seems to be worse for you then the alternative, so go outside and walk. do a 20 minute walk. it's free...it will be good for your brain, spirit and body...and as my mother used to say "it will blow the stink off of you"

I know, it’s tough now. But it’s temporary. Covid cannot go on forever. Things will go back to normal

Yes my friend is now in a situation where she is isolated but she just retired two months ago after 35 years of a very demanding full time career and she is not normally isolated. She is isolated now because she lives alone and can’t go no where due to corona. As soon as the virus is over she’d go back to our normal social life.

Several of my girlfriends and couple of my colleagues have never been married and aren’t dating, yes I suspect they might get lonely but they live full life otherwise. I myself got married at 50.

You’d be surprised how many people spend their whole life single. Or they become widows/widowers and never date again. Or never had children etc Yes it’s bad during pandemics but when things are normal, they still live their lives.

When corona is finished, maybe you are right you can work part time. Retirement is great but not if you can’t afford it (and most people can’t) if you didn’t save enough. My dad is 82. He has a small part time that gets him out of the house. Your local senior center and community center have activities, you could try to make friends there. You don’t need to be isolated just because you aren’t married.

All of this craziness will come to end soon and you can make some positive changes in your life.

I am going to call my doctor to make sure. Darn I would rather not have to wear a mask. Not going outside is causing too much depression. I'm not in the city. For God's sake I'm worried about mountain lions! (Yes we have them but the traffic usually holds them back in the foothills.)

I was not thinking I am isolated because I am single!

And I am not ready for the senior center. Ugh, the thought!

I live in a university town so my jobs were always with students. And most professors in this town teach until quite ancient...and we like it like that.

I don't think I should have to defend myself for not "saving enough" for retirement. And especially not on Psych Central. How I got to where I am is my business.

Somehow this got way off the track and crossed personal boundaries. I was simply talking about social isolation with regards to Covid 19 and whether or not my medical condition should prevent me from taking exercise.

To all: Please, no more comments on this thread. Enough information was collected on the original question, thanks.

I just realized something. In my entire life the only thing that has ever caused me to feel isolated (or to be isolated) is mental illness.


Covid 19 is tough on people who are suffering through a bout of mental illness. Be kind. That's all.

I only come on Psych Central when I am really hurting. I don't expect people on here to solve every single aspect of my life. I don't expect that I should have to defend myself for my life position, how much money I earned, saved, or don't have, and whether or not I am married or single.

It seems that some people are on here even when their lives are going pretty smoothly and frankly I don't understand that. Because I come on here when I am hurting and vulnerable.

Not knocking Psych Central but this is not the happiest place on the Internet. It can be very triggering. I especially hate it when threads stray far away from the central question.


Please, no more comments on this thread.


Thanks for all your replies but I think I need to go off Psych Central for awhile because this thread has made me feel unsafe. It got too personal. Not the comments about whether or not I should go outside. But the other stuff.

Please no more comments on this thread. I will check with my doctor about exercising daily and whether or not I should wear a mask.

Update: Trump may soon require ALL to wear masks.

Get out your sewing machines.


That's all. This thread's dead.