Table 7.

Illustrative data extract for Theme 3: Disruption to self-regulation.

Sensory regulation

‘I have not had any meltdowns since lockdown. I believe this is because I am working from home, no commute, no bus, no open plan office, no shopping centres. No sensory overload’ (126). ‘Noise from the neighbours being constantly home and in their garden, having parties, screaming kids etc. means having an open window increases the noise, but closing it means I am too hot. The noise and heat both overload my senses and I feel like screaming’ (31).

Behavioural regulation

‘My routine has changed dramatically and it has really thrown me. It has taken me many weeks to try and establish a new routine with when to go to bed, when to get up, how to work from home, how to work at school safely looking after the key worker children. And now it has all changed all over again. Every time it changes, it brings new anxiety’ (9). ‘I have enjoyed spending time in my garden and found a new enjoyment in nature’ (41). ‘My employer has put on be-well webinars for us to learn about homeworking, mental well-being, nutrition exercise etc., which inspired me to get into good habits with taking exercise, having a routine, switching off, going for walks, vitamins’ (126). ‘Some of my special interests have just stopped for the foreseeable future. This made it the most hard for me to adjust’ (12).