As your inbox becomes flooded with emails regarding the worldwide pandemic of the COVID-19 virus referred to as "Coronavirus", lets just take a moment to remind everyone to breathe. Anxiety, fear, and panic around this illness may cause more harm than the virus itself. Stress and fear weaken our immune system, which is not good in a time like this. We must be realistic about COVID-19 because it is here and it is real. While we need to stay calm, we also need to stay smart. We also may need to talk to someone that can help with our mental state of mind to help relieve the stress and anxiety.
Some anxiety is clearly warranted, especially if it pushes people to take precautions against contracting or spreading the novel coronavirus. There are many reasons why we would have anxiety and stress in this moment.
Uncertainty
More than any other aspect of the pathogen and the disease it causes, uncertainties instill a deep sense of dread. The uncertainties include who is most at risk of infection or severe illness (or death), who can spread it, what protective steps are warranted, and how the outbreak will unfold.
Personal vs. Community Risk
The brain is not very good at separating risks to a population from personal risks. Dramatic measures such as Italy’s locking down the country, a rolling list of countries banning public gatherings and closing schools, and more all convey the (accurate) message that Covid-19 poses a systematic threat to public health. Local health officials have given people in quarantine conflicting orders on what to do. That stokes fears that the people who are supposed to know what they’re doing don’t. When that happens on a national level, it’s even more alarming.
Financial Anxiety
In addition to a world wide pandemic we are also dealing with a financial crisis.
All of these factors can lead to the increase of stress and anxiety.
Ways to Manage Fears & Anxieties
University Health Services at Berkeley came up with a list of ways to manage your fears.
• Get the facts. Stay informed with the latest health and campus information through the health advisory dedicated CDC website. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
• Keep things in perspective. Limit worry and agitation by lessening the time you spend watching or listening to upsetting media coverage.
• Be mindful of your assumptions about others. Someone who has a cough or a fever does not necessarily have coronavirus. Self-awareness is important in not stigmatizing others in our community.
• Stay healthy. Adopting healthy hygienic habits such as washing your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, frequently, and certainly after sneezing or before/after touching your face or a sick person. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Avoid contact with others who are sick and stay home while sick.
• Keep connected. Maintaining social networks can help maintain a sense of normalcy, and provide valuable outlets for sharing feelings and relieving stress.
• Seek additional help. Individuals who feel an overwhelming worry or anxiety can seek additional professional mental health support.
Seeking Additional Professional Mental Health Support For Coronavirus
This is where we can help. We have counselors ready to talk to you by phone, video conferencing or in office to help you work through your fears and anxiety. We can help you with what to say to your children.
Coping with these feelings and getting help when you need it will help you, your family, and your community recover from a disaster. Connect with family, friends, and others in your community. Take care of yourself and each other, and know when and how to seek help.
All telephone calls and video conferences are private and follow HIPPA compliant rules.
ABOUT CTS
Collaborative Therapeutic Services (CTS) offers a variety of counselling and therapy services, hours, and service providers with diverse specializations. We offer evening & weekend appointments. Have questions? Contact Us Here or Call 813-951-7346. Located in Tampa, Florida.
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