Mental Health in Quarantine

My psyche is being tested during this quarantine.

I have been stuck inside my dorm room for over 3 months already. I am currently living in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Philippines, because of work. With the guidelines imposed by the local authorities, we only have our designated days when we could actually step out and do necessary chores, such as buying groceries for consumption. For our area, it's on Wednesdays and Saturdays, but I only get to use Saturdays as I still have work during the weekdays (Work from Home, in my case it's dorm).

I consider myself as a extraverted person. I tend to need physical social interactions with others. But with this set-up it really is hard to keep up with my mental health. I tend to get sad when I wake up knowing that it's going to be another long day alone plus having the pressures of accomplishing work targets. I feel like a meat being placed inside a pressure cooker.

This experience really have tested my mental health capacities. I have tried different methods in alleviating this loneliness that I am feeling. At some point, I even developed an anxiety problem, wherein I just tend to loss my breath and somewhat like my chest was constricting. It was so hard for me as it have affected my performance, I was not able to concentrate with my tasks and even of my self-care.

I have contacted our company doctor for advises, and requested to have a counselling session with a psychologist. I felt that I really needed that. I had to have my sessions and try to do the activities ad tricks that the psychologist suggested for me to do. It really is hard, but I need to do it. For my family, and for myself. 

After a few sessions, I felt better a bit getting the hang of the activities and tricks incorporated with my daily routine. But, I know I was only able to tame the beast not really corrected the situation.

Up until now, I still get this sudden anxiety attacks and that immense feeling of loneliness. That problems in sleeping. That night sweats. That desire to be home and just be with family.

I know that maybe I'm just over reacting or maybe overthinking, but I just hope and pray that this will all go away.

I hope all of you are doing okay. Let us survive this pandemic.