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Category: Anxiety

Anxiety about health and coronavirus

Posted on by eve

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a situation where we have to be mindful about our health and wellbeing.

As we return to schools, colleges and workplaces, we are being told how to keep safe, recognise symptoms and respond if we become ill. If you do notice worrying symptoms, follow the HSE advice: phone the GP to make sure you are OK and discuss what care you might need. However, many of us are feeling increased anxiety about our health which is not helpful.

Although things are starting to return to normal, many of us are still unable to take part in our pre-covid routines. We may have lost previous coping strategies or fallen into unhelpful habits during the period of lockdown. The current situation can increase worry about our own health, and that of others. This stress in itself can impact our physical health. For this reason, we must do our best to manage stress.

Substance use and mental health during COVID-19

Posted on by eve

Covid-19 has highlighted how our actions impact ourselves and the people around us. It’s helpful to consider how the use of alcohol and drugs can influence and impact our ability to cope with this situation.   

Life was tough enough, and Covid-19 can make everything seem harder. Faced with challenging circumstances, alcohol and drugs can seem like a way to cope. We may feel they will help us escape the uncertainty of this pandemic.

Both the Covid-19 situation and substances can impact mental health, so inform yourself as much as possible to make the right decisions for you.

Ask Jigsaw: I can’t seem to feel happy

Posted on by eve

Hi there i suffered a missed miscarraige in 2016. I had a healthy baby girl june 2017. I struggled with stress and anxiety throughout the whole pregnancy.

I’ve tried to get back to feeling like the person i was before all tbese events but i cant. I cant seem to feel happy anymore and if i do i find myself just wondering when it will go wrong again. Im constantly wound up and feel tense even defencive all the time. I feel like sometimes there is a hand on my chest and throat and i cant breath.

Me and my boyfriend are constantly argueing and most of the time its down to me snapping at him or looking for an arguement. I find im always taking everything thats said to me as a smart comment or a personal attack.

 I cant go to my g.p. cause its a man and i dont feel comfortable. Im so fed up of feeling like this and now i think i need some help. Im scared of ruining my relationship and my health. What are my options and do you think i have an issue? Thanks

-Elaine

Hi Elaine,

I’m sorry to hear that you’ve been through so much over the past few years. Losing a baby is a terrible experience and people deal with the grief and loss in different ways. It is not unusual to for women to experience worry during their pregnancy, and given the experience that you had, it is not surprising that you struggled with stress and anxiety.

What are the mental health services for under-18s?

Posted on by eve

If you’re under 18 and having a difficult time, there are a few options to consider.

First, is there someone you can talk to about what’s going on? A member of your family or friend that you trust can be a good place to start. Or take a look at the articles here to help you figure out what you need. Sometimes this could be enough or can help you make sense of what you need and what you can do.

If you think you might need to get some support or advice from a professional, we’ve made a list of the mental health services available for young people under 18.

Which one is best for you depends on what you’re going through. Sometimes that initial conversation with a trusted adult helps identify what will help. Also, because of the law on consent, you will need to have a parent/guardian involved to get help from a lot of services and professionals.

So, the best first step is usually telling someone what’s going on for you. If you have a good enough relationship with a parent or guardian this can be a good place to start. If not, think about another adult you trust that you could talk to, like an aunt/uncle, older sibling or family friend.

In this article, you will find:

Feeling anxious as society reopens

Posted on by eve

Lockdown life since March 2020 brought about many changes for all of us. The easing of restrictions may be very welcome but can bring some feelings of anxiety along with them. 

One of the biggest changes for the last year was our social interactions. The on-again off-again seeing people outside the home, led to some creative ways to stay connected. But, it has been a challenge for many to not be able to visit their support systems.

Looking forward to the end of lockdown

Posted on by eve

If someone told you last Christmas about an impending global pandemic, where people were encouraged to stay at home you would have thought it was science fiction. 

Faced with challenging times, we can look for different options to help. Sometimes it’s good to work out what we need in the moment and at that time for support. Other times it can be good to plan for things to look forward to, or work out what’s important to us for the future.

We asked some of our young volunteers around Ireland about what they were looking forward to and wanted to share some of these with you.

Family and friends

Unsurprisingly, a lot of our volunteers mention friends and family.

I’m looking forward to spending time with my family and friends after lockdown. Aisling O’ (18) Meath

Seeing my friends and going shopping. Amina Abdallgany (17) Meath

I am excited to see and spend time with my friends and family. Annemarie Driver (20) Meath

Going back to work, seeing my family and friends. Emily (18) Donegal

Seeing my friends. Daragh Nerney

Being able to go see my granny, friends and extended family members. Ruth O’Dea, Clare/Galway

Hugging my nieces and seeing my family and friends. Visiting my boyfriend whom I haven’t seen in over 4 months. Keith Judge (24) Dublin

Seeing my nana and giving her a hug. I saw her everyday after work and I miss that. Nicola (19) Dublin

I cannot wait to see my friends and family when this is all over! My godson was born the first week of lockdown so I am yet to meet him! This young volunteer has chosen to be anonymous.

Spending time with my friends. Yvonne (24) Limerick

I’m most looking forward to giving all my family and friends and big hug and spending time with them again. Mark (22) Dublin

Ask Jigsaw: Autism Spectrum Disorder and anxiety

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Hi I sufferer from autism spectrum disorder sensory processing disorder and anxiety and appsenst seizures how can you help me with my anxiety

-Hozier cork 2019

Hi Hozier cork 2019 ,

Thanks for your message. It sounds like you are having a tough time at the moment. Anxiety is very common when someone has sensory issues such as those related to autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) and sensory processing disorder (SPD). Some people feel especially anxious if they find themselves in new or unexpected situations or in places where there is too much sensory information, for example, big crowds.  Sometimes with ASD and SPD, it can be extra hard to get used to new things.