Anxiety and Depression Related to the Ongoing Coronavirus and Re-entry
As many of us have witnessed, public emergencies like the current COVID-19 pandemic is causing many to experience emotions ranging from mild anxiety to severe panic. Moreover, feelings of helplessness and hopelessness can give rise to sadness and even depression. Many people are also experiencing “re-entry anxiety” which is associated with returning to school or work and resuming social activities.
It is normal to experience sadness and anxiety during a disease outbreak such as this especially given how long this has gone on. There is still a lot that is still unknown right now, and uncertainty and unpredictability can lead to fear and anxiety.
When to Reach Out for Help
While some anxiety is to be expected, too much anxiety can be debilitating and can even be paralyzing for some. Signs that indicate that your anxiety level may be “crossing the line” into unproductive, debilitating anxiety and potentially even depression are:
- Difficulty with concentration
- Obsessional thinking and rumination
- Sleeping and eating too little or too much
- Loss of interest and motivation
- Uncomfortable physical symptoms, such as headaches, stomachaches, heart palpitations
- Irritability and a short temper
- Trouble keeping up with responsibilities
- Overconsuming alcohol
How to Reach Out for Help
If you find that you or a loved one is experiencing some of the symptoms and generally feeling overwhelmed about issues related to COVID you might consider reaching out to a mental health professional to help you better manage your anxiety.
Given the importance of social distancing during this crisis, our therapists are offering teletherapy, where you can receive therapy services from the comfort and safety of your home. Studies have demonstrated the efficacy that teletherapy and its efficacy for patients.
We remain committed to our patients during this challenging time. If you are in need of assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We are here to help in any way we can. If you have any questions or need further information, please feel free to contact us.