Coronavirus

[Alison47]

How can I help my partner who has a tbi cope with coronavirus anxiety

[sue-66]

This is something I have found with my partner. His anxiety was through the roof during last week, but he had been on his phone a while, so I try distraction, doing something else, like a game or walk. He was given breathing exercises to do, from the psychologist and that did help to relax him. Maybe try some basic breathing and try avoid too much media, I know that isn't always an easy thing to do 😏

[Pairofboots]

Hi I agree partly with Sue, but I think true facts can reduce anxiety, avoid the general social media, too much fake news. Maybe limit the info to the government briefing, also the BBC have a infection tracker on their website, you can check by your post code the level of infection, obviously check this before you let your partner see just in case it is high.

Try to put all devices that you can access social media away, out of sight out of mind.

Guided relaxation is good.

[Elenor3]

This is a hugely challenging time, especially with constant bombardment of sensationalist news stories.

I don’t watch TV , but the radio is almost as bad at the minute - meaning There isn’t any respite from the upsetting stories.

Turn the tv & radio off if you can or limit its use.

If your partner wants to keep using his phone - perhaps suggest that it’s either once or twice a day? That way he can keep up to date if he wishes but won’t overwhelming himself with scare stories in between.

Try and get a flexible routine in place so that the day has structure - with flexible but generally timed meals / snacks / rest (if you can switch off att the minute) / shower etc. / play cards / jigsaw / outdoor walk if ok to do where you are / you tube how to relax video / you tube exercise video / Skype family time / a chapter of an audio book / podcast each day / read / try short joint social media sessions where you can view content together and you can help redirect from anything concerning / garden time if you have a garden / comedy , film or music or travel programs on catch up TV, (avoiding the news ) .

There are meditation apps like Headspace and others which encourage calm - several apps out there with free trial versions. Try them one at a time over the coming weeks.

Remember to set a date on your calendar to cancel any ‘free trial’ subscriptions you take out so that you don’t inadvertently start a direct debit payment.

Since TBI I’ve listened to a lot of Jason Stephenson guided meditation videos :

youtube.com/user/ILoveJuicy...

Don’t be put off by the title of the link - it’s definitely Jason Stephenson. If you’re concerned just google his name .

If you use an iPad /tablet / smartphone- there are also some game apps you can play with friends or on your own - like Classic Words Scrabble free version / Brainium Sudoko which allows users to set the difficulty level and has minimal ads in the free download version.(Just one ad between each game) The Brainium Soduko options menu is really helpful....and Dropwords.

Minimising screen time isbest practice, but under such extreme circumstances it might be ashort term lifesaver if you’re confined indoors.

Some Tai Chi videos on You Tube demonstrate simple exercises to improve lung function and help you learn deep breathing. This can be calming and is also a gentle exercise you can do in a small space / indoors.

Without knowing your exact situation it’s hard to know if any of the above is helpful- but I hope it is 🙂 And good luck to everyone on the forum in these strange and disturbing times.

Try to help your partner hang on to the fact that this situation is temporary and that things will slowly improve again once the worst of the epidemic is over.

Some people may be eligible to register on the government website for ‘vulnerable/at risk ‘ group, and this may be helpful if it more stringent measures come into effects. It may prioritise your household for shopping delivery - have a look on line.

Google Search : Get Coronavirus support as a clinically extremely vulnerable person and register on line. It’s on the gov.uk website.

If your income has been affected - contact any utility companies/mortgage providers

and ask to temporarily reduce your payments for a set period of time.

Use a messaging service like WhatsApp or FaceTime to make phone calls via your home broadband/WiFi to save your minutes allowance on your mobile phone.

Reassuring your partner that you’ve done everything to help manage how you’re affected migt help him, especially if he’s upset about your financial situation.

My partner made a sign for our front door telling people we’re social distance ing so people don’t expect me to open the door if they knock.

Take care everyone - stay indoors if you can. Order shopping on line if you can. Stay at least two metres from other people if you absolutely have to go out. Join any local community on line groups to make a link with someone now - in case you need help with prescriptions being delivered later.

Register on line with you GP surgery for theur on line service if they have one. Then you can access on line face time medical appointments without needing to leave your home.

Headway Helpline will probably be very busy right now so I haven’t called it so I’m not sure - but it can be very isolating being the brain injured person in the house when other people are stressed and have lots of practical problems to sort out. So perhaps set aside a period of the day where you just sit down together for a chat?

Thank you to my partner for thinking all this up

Sending a cyber hug as always