Are You Experiencing Stress From Covid?
Often, the feeling of not being in control of the world around oneself is a concern with those who struggle with their mental health. However, living through the coronavirus pandemic has brought the feeling of being out of control of one’s life more relatable to a wider population. You may have been on the front lines helping those directly affected by the virus, possibly contracted Covid-19 and quarantined in isolation from family, maybe witnessed a loved one or friend pass away from contracting the disease, or have been directly impacted in other ways from the pandemic. All of these occurrences and more very likely affected your mental health. Regardless of the circumstances, one may experience anxiety, depression, or trauma after living through this life-threatening pandemic.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and CDC, rates of individuals experiencing mental health concerns have almost doubled and continue to rise throughout the pandemic. Symptoms include anxiety, depression, suicidality, psychosis, and substance abuse. The effects of the pandemic will very likely continue to have an affect on mental health even after the health crisis is over.
Many individuals who were diagnosed with and recovered from Covid-19 continue to experience symptoms even months later. It may be difficult for those who either went through a harrowing recovery with the illness, or witnessed friends and family do so, to cope with the related distress. This may be especially true for those that continue to experience prolonged physical and/or neurological symptoms. They may experience mental health symptoms such as, flashbacks, excessive worrying, impaired sleep, trouble focusing and concentrating, helplessness, fear, hopelessness, brain fog, short-term memory loss, confusion, and “not feeling like themselves”.
Emotional reactions are normal during a stressful situation; however, trauma usually results in more severe emotional and physiological reactions, such as changes in brain patterns. Desensitizing and Reprocessing (EMDR), have been shown to help individuals work through symptoms of trauma. CBT helps you recognize and control your altered thoughts/beliefs about the event and replace them with accurate views. EMDR helps you process trauma on an emotional level while simultaneously performing a side-to-side eye rapid movement or hand tapping. This treatment may help people with PTSD heal quicker than other therapy types.
If you are experiencing Covid Stress, call our office today at 239-289-9796.
