I've reached the point where I hate leaving the house

[MissMillie]

for anything.

Sis will be picking me up in about 30 minutes for weekly shopping. She shops for herself and Dad. But because I cook for them several days every week it makes sense for me to go along for the shop because we can plan menus together, and I have a sense of what needs to be re-stocked in the fridge and larder.

I don't want to go. I don't want to get dressed. I don't like being out among the un-masked, un-vaxed people.

I'm warm and comfy in my home. People don't bother me here. And if I feel like I don't want to get out of my jammies, I don't have to.

And even on the days when I'm just going to cook for Dad and Sis, it's an enormous emotional effort to get myself out of the house. I just feel like I can't be bothered.

All the classic symptoms of depression, I know.

Not looking for advice or suggestions--just ranting.

I'm going to go, of course.

Let me add that I have a great deal of empathy/sympathy for people who go through this all the time and who can't get themselves out of the house (or doing things that they need to get done).

[Lefta Dissenter]

1. Here's a hug.

(Edited to add that I’m double boosted and wear a mask whenever I go out, so I think the hug is pretty safe)

[Joinfortmill]

2. I'm an old woman. I don't like going out much anymore either... It could be

just an aging thing (if you are in your 70's or older). I go out about once a week to shop. Otherwise, I only go out for appointments or to see my family. This morning my son and his girlfriend are taking me to breakfast - very nice, but I could just as easily stay home. I'm not depressed, I'm just enjoying my home and my alone. Take care.

[femmocrat]

14. I agree!

I enjoy being in my house where I have everything I need.

[Marthe48]

20. I hear ya!

There are some weeks I go out every day, mainly to see my grand dog or pick up the grand kids from school, or both. I have to dress, then drive the worst 2 miles in Ohio, and then pass traitor flags and signs, which I flip off every trip. If I go in a store, when I get home, I go through a decontamination routine that will be s.o.p. from here on in. If I haven't been out for a week or so, that is a God-awful rude awakening!

I have gotten the vaccine and, as of last week, 2 boosters. I wear a mask when I go out. I love seeing my grand dog and the grand kids, but I hate the drive, and I'm not crazy about the idiots who drive or walk the Earth.

Maybe you aren't depressed, just disgruntled!

[Grasswire2]

65. Just a note....Lyft is a wonderful service if it's available.

Because of a foot issue, I've been using it lately for appointments and some shopping.

I just love it. Interesting conversations with drivers, and it's like having a chauffeur!

Cheaper than keeping a car, too!

[Marthe48]

67. I'm not sure if we have more than the local taxi

Those drivers are about as bad as private drivers around here. :/ Thanks for the idea

[Butterflylady]

40. I am so glad to hear there are others that feel the same as me.

Went out to in-laws of my son for Easter dinner and they were vaxed. Have my groceries delivered and my meds. I am fine staying at home and do not feel the need to go anywhere. My cats are great company and my 9 yr. old granddaughter comes to stay with me on weekends. I am 75 and very content.

[Siwsan]

3. My nephew is getting married in November and I'm already dreading going.

I love him dearly but the wedding is in Florida. I have zero desire to get on an airplane and even less of a desire to go to Florida.

I'm still struggling with what to do and it makes me feel like there's something wrong with me. Nobody else has an issue with the situation.

[MissMillie]

4. You couldn't pay me to get on a plane these days.

I won't judge other people for making a different choice, but for sure my choice is to avoid mass-transit.

[DownriverDem]

39. I know folks

who travel all the time. Not me.

[Butterflylady]

41. I'm with you on that one.

[Diamond_Dog]

6. Wow

I don’t blame you one bit, Siwsan. I would feel the exact same way. Especially Florida! I have been on vacation there maybe 6, 7 times in my life (the last time maybe 10 years ago) and I have zero desire to ever go there again.

[Siwsan]

31. AND he lives in Matt Gaetz's district!

The wedding is the Saturday after the mid-terms. I know it's too much to hope that he loses.

[Diamond_Dog]

47. Awful timing! Lol.

We have good friends who retired and moved to Fla. (Ocala). My husband keeps saying we should take an extended winter vacation and go down there and visit them. We won’t fly so would have to drive. The thought of going down there for like a whole month just drives my anxiety through the ceiling. I don’t like Florida and really, really, don’t want to go. (and I apologize to the good people here who live in Florida). My husband says I must be the only person in NE Ohio who doesn’t love the idea of going to Fla. in the winter time.

[Rebl2]

18. I would

not go. You couldn’t get me on a plane now. Can’t stand FL. Don’t like their weather or the cruel government there.

[niyad]

23. There is nothing wrong with you. There is no amount of money that would get

me on a plane, or going to flori-duhhh, whatever the reason. Your first priority is, properly, taking care of yourself. . and Madoc and Gryff. You have every right, and reason, to say NO, for your peace of mind and personal well-being.

[Siwsan]

34. Ever since my sister died, I've been kind of the 'stand in mom' to her kids.

So that makes it a difficult call. I know he loves me to the moon and back.

The other issue is, VERY shortly after my sister died her husband took up with the female he was dating before he met my sister. She is vile. At my niece's wedding, I was very emotional because my sister wasn't there. This female came up to me and said it was 'God's plan for my sister to be dead, and for me to be there for her kids.' I was gob-smacked but swallowed my rage, for the sake of my niece.

I haven't seen my former BOL in almost 2 years. It will be very uncomfortable.

[niyad]

36. I can understand the stand-in-mom and your nephew's love. But there is no

reason to subject yourself to your BiL's current partner. What a vile and hateful and tasteless thing for her to say. And matty's district?? Even if he loses, I would worry about cooties from him and his supporters.

[FoxNewsSucks]

44. Anyone would feel that way.

I've only been on an airplane once since 2012. I was getting sick of the hassle, constantly reduced legroom, and increased cost long before riding in a tiny sealed tube with who knows how many disease-infested MAGAts became an issue. I will likely never get on a plane again. I'll drive anywhere, and since I started doing that more and more about 2008 or so, I find I really enjoy the whole trip instead of having much of the good part of a trip cancelled out by two days of dealing with airports, airplanes and morons.

I'll also not likely go to Floriduh ever again (Texass either). I've been there enough times to have seen most of it. I have an 80-yo friend who is moving to Jacksonville as that's where her kids ended up. I understand why it's time for her to live near family, but I'll keep trying to get her to convince them to get the hell out of FL. I may make a trip there, as that area is the one part of FL I haven't been to, and I'd like to see St Augustine. If I do, that will probably be my only trip.

[Wingus Dingus]

55. I guarantee you just about everyone else has a problem with

the expense and hassle of out-of-town weddings. They're just not going to admit it, for the family's sake.

[Diamond_Dog]

5. I'm getting that way more and more, myself.

I remember how when I was younger, I used to enjoy getting out and socializing and doing things.

Now I dread even going to the grocery store some days. People out there are so rude anymore. And when you’re home and comfy it seems like a monument effort to get dressed and drive to the store. I hear ya MissMillie.

[KarenS]

7. Sending you a hug,,,,

I do believe the pandemic has made alot of us inverts.

and for the record I am an old lady.

[Collimator]

8. Hear you loud and clear, Miss Millie.

It's very nice of you to do all that cooking for others.

During some of my more severe depressive episodes, it was a parade-worthy event if I made it from my bed to the living room couch for a change of lying-down scenery. And this was way before the pandemic.

Kind thoughts to you. Hope that your are at least treating yourself to pretty jammies. Stay warm and comfy and safe.

[riverbendviewgal]

9. Get some lab tests

I felt like that too. A UTI showed up. The only signs were fatigue and sore back. Two days of the antibiotics in I felt better. Also take B12. Get enough sleep.
I have depression as well. Prozac helps me

I wear mask all times when I am out. Many in my area do but many don't. I tend to stay home mostly. In May I will get my covid vax booster 4.

Its not easy. I understand how you feel.

[MLAA]

16. For sure.

Women of a ‘certain age’ are very susceptible to Urinary Tract Infections. Also, for me, my thyroid was slightly out of whack so a low dosage of levothyroxine has made a huge difference in my energy level. The real point is have urine/blood work tested regularly if you can ❤️

[HighFired49]

51. Another old woman here with

uti info. for some folks with that issue. I discovered a cranberry supplement two years ago and haven't had a UTI since. One capsule once a day, and no calories (like cranberry juice). Supposed to be the equivalent of 7 glasses of juice, and no prescription, all natural.

[MLAA]

70. Will check it out, thank you!

[mopinko]

10. absolutely not alone.

at this point, i have to think back to the day's when the grocery store was an escape from the house and kids to get myself up for a trip to the corner bodaga.
i used instacart a lot in 2020-1. but i cant afford to keep that up forever. i havent used jewels order and pick up, but i think i will try that next time i need a big trip.

i've always found human interaction to be a positive, but these days i feel the cost. a pleasant interaction comes out about even. but a conflict, esp w someone i care about, and i'm in a tailspin. it isnt worth it to gamble most days.
i've sorta learned to hold my own hand.

[old as dirt]

19. Kenny Rogers - The Gambler

it isnt worth it to gamble most days.
i've sorta learned to hold my own hand

[mopinko]

38. well, i was thinking more the kind of hand that helps you across the street, but

sure, i can roll w kenny.

[Backseat Driver]

61. And in his final words I found an ace that I could keep

In my anger, I made Plans B,C,D etc, to be as expensive to those exhibiting MAGA-like cruelty as I could be, knowing full well it would likely kill me. Guess what? You have to be careful what you wish for...all you do is get older, weaker, and closer to dying in your sleep whatever steps you take - Yep, I often don't even get dressed while I do "wageless work" from home (some call it retirement) and instead go to the virtual anonymous party each day here on DU instead of festivals, malls, restaurants, you know, public places that sometimes require fossil-fuel travel and/or siteseeing. I used to be more active, and despite now feeling slothful, I have to admit that the mind is lots more willing for the heavy lifting of housework and play, but the body is not. There's only an OOT sister left of my FOO and friends of youth. She likely encouraged my family estrangement and disinheritance by the other deceased three; she has a life circumstance that required that agenda - I suppose she feels she needs to be a fierce mother to her adult child and needs to "win" every hand! I, OTOH, pity that type of endless fear. Oh about that Plan--It sort of worked. USA got Trump's progroms, Covid's surges, and Putin's Russian restoration delusions. We did not get universal health care, a stronger democracy, or peace on earth. Trouble is in avoiding the disease, I've become older, less active-more solitary and less dependent on fashion, clothing, grooming requirements - it's not quite depression; more like gratitude for what's left of life after the last game of Texas Hold-em, poker, or 52-pickup. I actually do what I want-when I want and love the freedom of personal selfishness. Who cares if I'm dressed and acceptably groomed, the bed is made, the laundry done this week, dinner's ready, or the dust, crumbs/hair the doggies leave on the floor are sucked up. More like I've given up the anticipation of societally "winning" post rat-race, and DH hates conflicts of any kind, so NEVER complains about taking up the slack of earning, grooming, and/or all those domestic "needs" of public acceptability. His method substitutes for his libido (the sexiness of the bluff), and I'm at long-last loving stepping back from all of it.

Well, I see my kids often, and we share meals and TV time. DH is my errand and grocery runner. I signed up for a local farmer food delivery service during the pandemic, and the food is a little more expensive but so fresh, delicious, and anti-farm food, that I really don't miss "desserts" and junk food. We cook what there is in the freezer/pantry at home, or I mean he does, and/or orders take-in when I'm feeling "salad or ice-cream deprived." Ain't love grand!

I've never been much for driving, but my old 2002 "Dorothy" has been in need of expensive repairs to restore drivability and in the garage all during those several years of CoVid. We're both vaxxed and fully boosted. Last time I was in the grocery, some guy was screaming at a particular empty spot on the shelves about Biden; last time I went to the ATM for a bit of cash, it was empty. I still feel a bit guilty that Plan B seems to be working just fine-- but I'm still alive to music, beauty, and sunshine, and the virtual party complete with critical thinking about the issues of said life on DU!

[old as dirt]

11. Work From Home (Physics Version) A Capella Science

[multigraincracker]

12. I need to visit Ohio.

Been a few years and GF goes, all most monthly.

I would like to go to a Waffle House and get their hash browns. Been that long sense I've eaten any potatoes.

[Cozmo]

13. Don't worry, you're fine. Live life as you would like and don't allow conventional norms sway you

[paleotn]

17. My thoughts as well.

[Jon King]

15. You do you, nothing wrong with either approach to life.

We know people who feel exactly like you do, and others who feel the opposite. Our neighbors are 92 years old and go out to the store or the mall every chance they get. The husband said they enjoy the good and the bad of it, even the cars honking for them driving slow, and watching the younger folks bumping into each other with their grocery carts.

But there is no right or wrong approach. We treat it like a TV show these days. Yesterday driving up I-95 we just got in the right lane and had fun watching the nimnongs cut in and out, beep, slam on brakes, etc. We had fun predicting what crazed move some especially wild drivers would make next.

Not sure the other options, either get bummed out or just laugh at the utter lunacy as best you can.

[FM123]

21. I can relate to that.

I have really changed since the pandemic. I used to love going out and being with lots of people, but now it is not as appetizing as it once was. I am perfectly content to enjoy my own company (and vaxxed friends & family that come over) and do not feel a need to rush back into society.

[BlueGreenLady]

22. I have the same problem,

I think it's still true that "if you aren't depressed, you are not paying attention."
Sorry but I can't resist saying that walking my doggo in the sunshine is my best therapy.

[niyad]

24. This old lady is sending you a hug. You do whatever feels right for you.

The world is crazy.

[SuperCoder]

25. You are not alone

I'm terrified of leaving the house. But I have to because my 65 year old mother cannot do it anymore.

Thank goodness for remote work from home.

When going to Costco, nobody is wearing a mask anymore. You probably find less than 10% of people wearing a mask, and less than 5% employees even bothering.

Not me. KN95 all the way. Minimum. And gloves, with a bottle of hand sanitizer in my car at all times.

And yes, we are both fully vaccinated and boosted.

I don't want to die on a ventilator. And I don't want her to suffer that fate either.

[Warpy]

26. Masks will be hard to give up for some of us

For one thing, women saved a fortune on makeup. For another, men could go out with 4 days of nubs and no one would be the wiser. I loved wearing my surgical mask in winter, it was warm while I waited for a cab to turn up and it gets pretty cold here in the Rockies.

However, we've reached the point that coronavirus is now endemic. It's here to stay and we're just going to have to get used to it. Those of us who are vaxed will be OK, just inconvenienced by a few days here and there when a new strain comes along and we're unlucky enough to get a breakthrough case (been there, lasted 2 1/2 days no biggie). The unvaxed are now on their own, exposing their stupid selves to virus a person who is vaxed might not know s/he is spreading. Sucks to be them, we told them so.

We can't live in isolation like they're trying in Shanghai and we can't wear masks forever, it's time to give them up.

Best policy for your parents: make sure there are sandwich fixings in case you start to feel feverish and have cold/flu symptoms. Stay away from them until your temperature is normal and you feel better. This is what you needed to do before Covid came along, anyway.

There is nothing you can do about stupidity, it's also endemic. However, stupidity is its own reward and stupidity will land them in the hospital instead of just staying home for 3 days with the sniffles.

[Maggiemayhem]

54. I missed that endemic announcement.

My state went way down but it is creeping upwards with every report. Plus I am leery of home tests. They don’t get reported and our health departments refuse to include them in results.

[Warpy]

69. Mine went to a low level and stayed there

after the omicron "steeple spike." Transmission is likely higher, but it's a state where people mostly believe in science and got vaxxed, so most cases are likely too mild to bother getting checked out.

It will take months of confirmation by sewage analysis for the CDC to stick its neck out and declare the disease endemic rather than epidemic, which is what the omicron "steeple" spike showed. So far, the current spike is tiny compared to that in states that are seeing it, meaning NY, VT and MA.

[MuseRider]

27. I am the same.

My husband and son, when he was staying with us, did all the going out when I was really down with my heart. Now that that is some better I do go out but only rarely.

I know I am depressed but just so you don't feel alone I am here to tell you I think this is not at all unusual these days, mainly with older people but perhaps not. At my age I am still game for most anything in my thoughts but I am older and my head just isn't in it anymore when it comes to doing it.

We are not living in a pleasant time certainly. We were out for our second booster yesterday and a stop at the hardware store. I did not see a single mask except for me and my husband who wore one for a while then took it off.

I hope you can feel better soon. I hope all of us can but these little things that bring us into our community are important no matter how mundane they may seem.

[DonCoquixote]

28. well...

I am in Florida, and the sad thing is that while I am in the midst of several supermarkets, I do not like going out to many, because the people go unmasked, and do it in a very "PHUKKKK YU, this is about MAH FREEDUMB! SEZ JAIZZUZ! MAGA!" way.

However, I will say this, as someone who used to LOVE shopping, I do find that the various services that deliver food, like the instacarts, or shipts, actually are not so bad. Granted, I do miss picking produce, but shopping my these services also makes it very easy to plan for the week.

[TeamProg]

33. Just wear a mask and use hand sanitizer when you leave a public setting. You wouldn't want people to

think that you're a REPUBLICAN, would you?

Ignore all of the comments or simply say "No thanks".

[TeamProg]

29. Are you getting enough exercise? Moving certainly helps my mental outlook on things. I feel way

more on top of the world after a little physical exertion. Jumping jacks, toe touches, outside digging a hole and planting a tree, even walking the 1 mile round trip to get the mail are not extremely time consuming for a retired 66 yr old. Not compared to how much of my retirement time is spent reading on D.U. !!

Feeling mentally stronger and centered makes it easier to say to myself, 'Forget those idiots'.

[MissMillie]

48. Nope

and I remind myself of that all the time.

[TeamProg]

53. Ha ha ha!! : - )

[NoMoreRepugs]

30. My Mother suffered from Agoraphobia for years. My Aunt did all

our grocery shopping. Everything else was fine and eventually she became a great grandmother to my kids. You certainly aren’t alone in how u feel.

[jmbar2]

32. Thanks for sharing your thoughts

I feel exactly the same way.

This week, I am going to start a new part-time job. The thought of leaving my lair gives me anxiety. But in order to continue to live in my lair, I must. Hope I adjust OK.

[NullTuples]

35. So many of my friends have learned they don't actually *like* going out

Is it because we'll encounter that third of society that now feels justified in ignoring the social rules that once kept them in check? Or maybe even enjoys conflict & a feeling of power over other and have been given permission to let loose?

Or is it because maybe some of us never really did enjoy being as social as marketers and advertisers told us we should be, but we didn't know it til now?

Or is it depression after 2.3 years of this intentionally chaotic mess we've been living in after finding out that much of what we thought was a stable society was mostly just stage dressing and everyone agreeing not to break the illusion?

Or maybe it's that we've been stuck at home for two plus years with our only real connection to the larger society being a news media that has been for many been bought by Sinclair or maybe Alden Capital and stripped for parts, or relatives who only watch Fox News. And we've had to reject those lifelong connections as being untrustworthy.

Maybe we're grieving. For lost loved ones, either dead or turned. For a lost society. For lost confidence that our world is stable.

I'm guessing all of the above, to varying degrees and combinations.



I discovered quickly that I actually prefer not being as social as I was once convinced I was supposed to be. It wears me out.

The MAGA on the other hand that I see very much out & about these days get recharged by confrontation.

Why should I have to deal with that and suffer the consequences?

[PortTack]

50. You pretty much nailed it for me!

I spent my working years, 35 of them, as a nurse in very high profile high tech jobs. Part of that is sometimes dealing with very distraught family. I mostly loved my work and because of that I accepted the crappy part reminding myself sometimes several times a day how hard it is for families watching their loved ones be so sick and possibly pass.

When I retired I was really just done, but the pandemic, the political nonsense has made me really withdraw. The superficial niceties wear me out!

I too think I am grieving, but not sure for what..several things I guess. I can’t find any tears which I think would help, but they don’t come! For someone whose been a very positive optimistic person this is hard.

Thank you to the OP for this thread and sharing. It helped me feel better this morning.

I used to keep this posted in my office…when I was there. It always helped

Desiderata - Words for Life

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Find the rest at the link

https://allpoetry.com/desiderata---words-for-life

[Duppers]

37. Here too. nt

[XanaDUer2]

42. That's me nt

[Johnny2X2X]

43. You do you

I get it. Just the fact we have so many uncaring idiots in the country is disheartening.

But the vaccines are great, I believe the media has downplayed their effectiveness. The average person doesn’t know that being boosted offers incredible protection against serious disease, but also very good protection from infection. You’re 4-5 times less likely to even get Covid if boosted than someone unvaccinated. You’re 97 times less likely to die from Covid if boosted than someone unvaccinated. There’s this attitude that vaccinations don’t really protect when they offer a ton of protection.

Even here on DU I am constantly arguing with people in the vaccines’ effectiveness. People say, “it doesn’t stop the spread” without knowing what the CDC means by that. That means if you get Covid while vaccinated, you will still spread it, but you’re still 4-5 times less likely to get Covid. So right now, Covid is mostly an issue for the unvaccinated. That could change, but that’s the facts right now, if you’re boosted the risk is exceedingly low.

[malthaussen]

45. I hate it too, which is why I have the groceries delivered.

But I eat mostly processed junk that doesn't need to be inspected before purchase.

-- Mal

[FoxNewsSucks]

46. I'd love to be able to stay home most of the time.

But I have the burden of employment to pay my bills, so I have to leave. I do hate it more and more. Even before rampant disease, the increasingly crowded condition everywhere was enough reason to be miserable.

So many people have no awareness of what is going on around them. Everything is crowded and it's worse because outside of big cities like New York, they seem to have no idea of how to behave considerately of others. The spread of phones made it worse. Whether a grocery store aisle, or the interstate highway, hordes of lumbering inattentive morons make the experience of going out to do things a stressful miserable thing.

And now there's disease to worry about on top of everything else.

I don't know if it's depression or not, and if it is, as someone else said, these days if you're not depressed, you're not paying attention. Going out used to be a pleasant thing, it no longer is.

[Glaisne]

49. And I don't want to deal with the traffic either.

Besides I'm not really missing anything. Pretty much anything worthwhile going to within a day's drive I've been there done that. When I go to the stores I can't wait to get home to peace and quiet and the cats.

[TalenaGor]

52. safeway delivers for cheap - do a video call together to order :D

[Ocelot II]

56. I'm sort of there too.

I'm kind of a hermit by nature but I'd always enjoyed an occasional outing - dinner at a restaurant, a movie, a concert, visiting friends, whatever. But after a few months of staying in all the time when the pandemic hit, I realized that I liked staying in and I was just fine with it. I'm retired so I don't have to go out (and my sympathies are definitely with those who have had no choice) and now I just don't want to. Grocery shopping (masked) doesn't bother me but otherwise I'd rather just stay home in my sweat pants. People wear me out.

[Totally Tunsie]

57. After reading all these responses, I think I can truly say

"Thank heavens...we're normal!"

[MissMillie]

59. Yeah, that's the sense I'm getting. lol

It's making me feel better.

[Totally Tunsie]

60. Let's just relax and enjoy it, Miss Millie!

Sending you a just because.

[LuckyCharms]

58. You're not alone, and

you may not *necessarily* be depressed.

In fact, I could make an argument that your current state of being is quite rational.

Here's what I would suggest:

If going out is difficult for you, then at the very least, try to keep your routine as normal as possible. Shower and get dressed every day as you usually would.

And most importantly, at least try to get "outside" as much as possible. Spend as many hours outdoors as you can manage. I've been spending the majority of my days outside the past week. Cleaning up storm damage, multiple trips to the landfill with storm debris, playfully bantering with my neighbor who lives behind me, cleaning up major storm damage for another neighbor, mowing my lawn, going for walks up and down my street, etc. none of these activities required close contact with other people, but bantering with my neighbor, for example, lets both of us have a few laughs while yelling at each other while standing 50 feet away. So, you can have human contact without getting physically close to people.

Yes, what are you describing are classic symptoms of depression, but if you can force yourself to try to keep some kind of normal routine, and at least get as much fresh air that you can, you'll be surprised about how much better you'll feel.

All that being said though, if you're finding that you actually CAN'T change your clothes, shower, or go out in your yard, then you most likely are actually entering a depression. If that is the case, just try to get to a doctor and get treated.

You'll be OK. We are living in strange times. Don't beat yourself up over the way you feel.

Do the best you can.

[h2ebits]

62. COVID has shaken the mental state of a lot of us.

Since I received my initial shots of COVID vaccine through UC Health, they have been sending me their newsletter. I found this article to be extremely helpful and hope that others on DU find it helpful as well. It addresses Long COVID and also what is happening to many people just because they "lived through" the past couple of years without getting COVID.

Your post is much appreciated and, judging by the comments, many of us here are also suffering and have been thinking that we are all alone in this, or our age is catching up with us, or whatever. I felt great relief just reading the article to discover that there are many of us who are having problems. We are not alone!

Long COVID mental health challenges require specialized treatment:

http://www.uchealth.org/today/long-covid-mental-health-challenges-require-specialized-treatment/?utm_source=MC

[Quakerfriend]

63. I too have been having this problem more

and more, MM.

I think Covid has made it worse.

[mvd]

64. I mostly just leave for the grocery store and Wawa

My mom and I do not have cars, so we use Uber when we can and a friend’s help. I am inside a lot. You aren’t alone.

[Grasswire2]

66. I noted this above, but may be lost in the thread.

Lyft is a wonderful service. I've been using it because of a foot problem that would preclude driving or walking far.

Just like having a personal chauffeur. The car arrives within minutes, the drivers are friendly (and some great conversationalists) and good drivers.

Easy peasy, and very comfortable.

Cheaper than keeping your own car.

[Trueblue1968]

68. i feel the same. do i have agorphobia?

[MissMillie]

72. no, it's not a fear of going out

it's more of a "I can't be bothered" thing

[I_UndergroundPanther]

71. Thanks for posting

What you said. I am having a hard time going out of the house too.

I feel safe here in my apartment these days. Ptsd really can fuck with you.


When I moved here after a couple of months of being here a drug dealer moved upstairs in my building . I was surrounded by chemical smelling smoke that smelled like death and people going up and down the stairs all the time. One of my neighbors apartment got broken into.

I got pissed off. Told the damn addicts smoking there to get the fuck out of the landing .
Told them ya want me to call the cops? They didnt stop.

Two days later I called the cops. They got taken away,one of my neighbors was always smoking the most godawful smelling stuff. She lost her 2 year old kid and got evicted... I talked to the landlord after that and showed her where I took a video of a white car driving around the circle all night patrolling the neighborhood.

Apparently she knew this dealer asshole was in my building. He pulled a gun on her when she attempted to give him an eviction notice. Glad I was at my day program and missed that scary shit.

It was all so horrible. Called the cops several times gave them discriptions of the people doing this shit. I would hear gunshots at night in the woods. Police do not cross tape walling off a dumpster.

I felt like I was losing my mind but I was determined to change things. After all this was my home and I had no where else to go.I was outside with my ex one day when he was taking a smoke break and 2 guys were loading pot seedlings out in the open into a truck . One guy carrying the tray stumbled on a uneven sidewalk and the other guy cold cocked him so hard the sound echoed off the buildings.

I hated living here during those days. No kids playing outside,nobody walking around.silence. and as soon as evening hit tons of people,and that awful chemical dead body burning smell.

Eventually the stress got to me and one of the cops suggested I go to the hospital to
Take a break. So I went . The white car that drove around all night followed the ambulance. I was in the er waiting room and 3 guys I saw before selling shit near my building walked in. They put on masks sat down and took my picture I gave them the bird while they took it . They got up and walked out.
Anyway the drug operation was removed while I was in the hospital.

It took a while for people to let thier kids play outside again. Now they do. Its a lot better and safer here now.

That horrorshow was like 4 years ago.

Nowadays I have such a hard time leaving my apartment.

I dont know why.
.

[brewens]

73. I've felt lucky this whole time that it's so easy for me and felt bad about those that have to

put themselves at risk. It's also why guys like me should make themselves scarce.