Pandemic-Related Trauma and How to Cope With it

While we thought we were recovering from the pandemic-related trauma, we realized just how dark it got for many teens during the peak of the lockdown.

Recent data suggests that high school students’ mental health declined, and many lacked a safe and comfortable home to study from.

The CDC unveiled the findings of a recent survey, which they commissioned and completed. They asked nearly 8,000 high school students to share how they felt in 2020.

Based on a survey, 55% of the subjects claimed they were cursed or verbally insulted by an adult at home. Out of the surveyed teens, 11% had been physically abused, and 67% found it challenging to finish their work.

The CDC stated it’s unclear how significant the lockdown played in what the survey showed whether the abuse teens experienced was related to the pandemic or if it had been going on before the lockdown.

It is, however, clear that the impact on every teen wasn’t equal due to the lockdown. Here’s a case in point. The CDC found that one in five teenagers contemplated suicide in the last 12 months, and over half have felt persistently sad or hopeless in the last 12 months.

47% of gay, lesbian, and bisexual teens surveyed reported that they had considered suicide compared to 14% of heterosexual teens. In addition, 25% of girls contemplated suicide, which was double the rate of boys.

Increases in Mental Health-Related ED Visits

A disproportionate number of ethnic minorities have been hurt by mental-health challenges resulting from the outbreak.

Recent research, published in JAMA Psychiatry, shows that these groups had an increase in the number of emergency-room visits for mental-health-related complaints during and after the COWIE-19 scare.

Asian adults’ visits to emergency departments for most of the mental disorders the study looked at, including an increase of 21% in depression when COVID-19 was surging.

After the COVID-19 surged, ED visits among American Indian and Alaska Native adults for various mental disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and significant depression, rose significantly by 42%.

There was a 24% increase in visits to the ER for bipolar disorder among Hispanic adults and a 14% increase in visits for trauma and stress disorder-related problems among Black adults after a spike.

Can Therapy Help With Trauma for Teenagers?

Many kids and teenagers who go through traumatic experiences—whether in a car accident, being physically or sexually abused, going through a divorce, or experiencing significant loss can learn how to cope with these experiences.

And for some people, therapy may be an effective way to process these events and start moving forward.

Therapy can help with all kinds of issues—from anxiety to depression, and it can often provide critical insight into why we do what we do. The key is finding a therapist you trust, someone you feel comfortable talking to about your problems.

It could be someone at school, like your guidance counselor or a school psychologist; it could also be someone outside of school you already know (like your parents) or meet with a therapist you trust, not from your school.

What Medication Works?

There are many different medications to treat PTSD symptoms. Some of these are more effective than others, and certain medications seem to work better for certain types of trauma. So how do you know which medication is right for you?

If you’re experiencing panic attacks or severe anxiety, your doctor may first try a benzodiazepine such as Xanax or Ativan. These drugs help relieve stress by slowing down brain activity. Your doctor may also prescribe an antidepressant drug, like Zoloft or Celexa.

Antidepressants can be beneficial in treating trauma, but they can take weeks to start working. Therefore, they’re not usually used on their own for treating PTSD.

However, some people with co-occurring depression and PTSD find that antidepressants help them manage both conditions at once. If you have trouble sleeping after a traumatic event, your doctor might recommend a sleep aid such as Ambien or Lunesta.

Natural Ways to Teenagers Can Cope With Trauma

Take good care of your body: You should eat healthy, well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep. If you are curious about mental health wellness strategies, click the link below.

Make Connections: Make time to stay in touch with people and talk about your worries. Also, form healthy relationships with friends and family.

Take Breaks: It’s crucial to stop, even if only for a few minutes. Remember that emotional intensity would fade, try to stop for a minute and take a deep breath. Then, try participating in things you’re interested in because it will help you.

Stay Informed: When you are out of the loop, you might become stressed or scared. So, watch, listen to, or read the news for updates from official sources.

Know that during a crisis, rumors are common and are especially abundant on social media. When checking a news story, make sure it comes from a reliable source and a dedicated channel.

Maintain an air of distance from bad news: Taking periodic breaks from watching, reading, or listening to them will keep you. Instead, schedule as many fun things as possible and, as much as possible, go back to living your everyday life. Ask for updates from your medical team in the meantime.

We offer support and understanding therapists trained to help adolescents cope with stressful and traumatic events at Davenport Psychology.

Our approach combines traditional talk therapy with proven treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR).

Whether you’re experiencing trauma from the pandemic, your school environment or your relationships, our therapists are here to support you.

Sarasota Adults and COVID: How to Recognize the Signs of Increased Anxiety or Depression

If you or someone close to you is suffering from depression and anxiety due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you are not alone. Many individuals are grieving the death of loved ones. Some coronavirus survivors have developed serious health problems, while others have been unable to work and run their own businesses.

Even those who did not experience a catastrophic loss had to endure months of disrupted schedules, postponed milestone events, and day-to-day logistical hassles. As a result, it’s no surprise that many people are lonely, frustrated, and vulnerable emotionally, physically, and economically.

We’ll go through the coronavirus and pandemic’s impact on anxiety and sadness, as well as what to look for and which treatment choices are accessible to assist you or someone you care about.

Does Coronavirus Infection Cause Depression or Anxiety?

Severe COVID-19 can be difficult to diagnose and deal with for patients. In addition to COVID-19-related organ damage and continuous symptoms, severe loss of physical, emotional, and even economic well-being can leave patients feeling extremely down and distressed.

Not only may one’s family be terrified of losing you to the ICU, but there are also several frightening factors that go with it. After intensive care, post-intensive care syndrome can induce debilitating, persistent worry and panic in those who do not receive treatment.

Researchers are studying the inflammatory responses caused by coronavirus infection and their impact on the brain. COVID-19 may produce physical changes that reduce mental abilities such as thinking, remembering, and reasoning.

COVID is a tough disease to treat, and it’s difficult to predict how different patients will respond to it. However, patients in the PACT group are receiving attention for a variety of issues. Anxiety, sadness, and altered mental function ranging from several months to 18 months have been observed among those in the PACT group.

Long-term prognosis is difficult to predict, but in the short-term, COVID-19 survivors have benefited from initial treatments, even those with persistent symptoms and bodily changes.

Many of the COVID-19 patients had been experiencing depression and anxiety even before the pandemic hit.

Ways to Cope with Depression and Anxiety During the Pandemic

Depression anxiety disorder is a serious condition, but both can be treated successfully. Here are four ways to enhance your mental health and help curb depressive disorders and generalized anxiety disorders.

Make a habit of routine.

Many people’s days were unstructured and monotonous when the epidemic began, but that is changing. We’re rediscovering our normal pace and adopting a more regimented regimen. Unlike previously, we are more accustomed to working at home and are used to a specific school and job routines. Simple methods to regain one’s routine may help individuals who have been struggling with depression and anxiety.

Remember to care for yourself.

Mind-body communication is essential. Take care of yourself by eating appropriately, prioritizing rest, fresh air, and exercising. By maintaining contact with your friends and family in some way.

Use drugs and alcohol responsibly

Substance abuse can be caused by anxiety and sadness, and substance use disorder in and of itself might be a major problem.

Get help

You can take action to alleviate a loved one’s depression or anxiety if you notice any of these symptoms. You may use your phone or computer for a self-directed therapeutic process beyond traditional in-person therapy.

Therapy is widely accessible when it comes to dealing with mental health. Therapy is available in a variety of settings, including in-person counselors and internet therapy.

Telehealth has skyrocketed, which is a true silver lining of the pandemic. As a result of the proliferation of teletherapy and telehealth platforms, access to specialists has expanded and helped people stay in touch with their medical professionals without the inconvenience of an office visit. It’s easier for the patient, and it seems quite effective.

In addition to working with a therapist, self-reflection and data tracking are useful. There are apps available to help you keep track of your mood, sleep, and anxiety levels, or you can keep a written diary to help you stay in tune with the factors that affect your levels of sadness or anxiety.

Mental Health Crisis: How can I Help a Family Member or Friend?

It is true that some days, even as the COVID-19 pandemic impacts every country in the world, people find themselves dealing with sadness, lack of motivation, or worry.

Nevertheless, there are indications of anxiety and depression that should never be ignored

Speaking of self-harm
The fear that things will never improve
Giving away personal items
Inability to perform normal day-to-day activities

If you notice any of these, it may be time to speak up. It’s often difficult to know how to intervene with a person, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.

But sometimes, you can appeal to a struggling person about the one aspect of their life that they hold the most dearly, such as their children, family, work, or something else they think is worth getting better for.

Often we need to help people broaden their definition of what constitutes mental illness and the definition of what constitutes good mental health for treatment purposes.

People should remind themselves and their loved ones that the mind and body are two aspects of the same whole being, which are interconnected. Emotional suffering has a biological basis, and individuals who have mental health issues should receive treatment in much the same way that people who have other physical ailments do.

Wrap up

getting mojo back after covid in Sarasota, FL

Collectively, we’ve already started to get our mojo back. We’re regaining our sense of routine. But in response to the epidemic’s new developments and living environments, we’ve had to adapt to many changes and establish fresh habits.

Many people were nervous at first, and we didn’t know much. But thanks to vaccines and rigorous safety procedures, we are more in command of this coronavirus now. We no longer have to entrust our fate entirely to its hands.

If you’re dealing with depression or anxiety as a result of the pandemic or other crisis in your life, you should contact a Psychologist.

Stress and Your Mental Health

The COVID-19 pandemic may have caused numerous changes in your life, including uncertainty, disrupted daily routines, financial stress, and social isolation.

You may be concerned about being ill, how long the pandemic will endure, whether your career will be impacted, and what the future holds. Unfortunately, rumors and disinformation can make your life feel out of control and leave you unsure of what to do.

You may suffer tension, worry, fear, despair, and loneliness during the COVID-19 epidemic. And mental health conditions, such as stress, anxiety, and depression, can deteriorate.

Surveys show a significant rise in the number of U.S. people reporting stress, anxiety, depression, and insomnia during the epidemic compared to surveys before the pandemic.

Some people have increased their usage of alcohol or drugs to believe that it will help them cope with their pandemic anxieties. But, these substances can exacerbate anxiety and despair.

People with drug use problems, particularly those addicted to nicotine or opioids, are more likely to have negative consequences if given COVID-19.

These addictions can impair lung function and weaken the immune system, resulting in chronic illnesses such as heart disease and lung disease, which raise the chance of catastrophic COVID-19 consequences.

For all of these reasons, it’s critical to learn self-care techniques and get the care you need to cope with stress, depression, and anxiety.

Stress Self-care Techniques

Self-care practices are beneficial to both your emotional and physical health, and they can assist you in taking control of your life. Take care of your body and mind and connect with people to improve your mental health.

1. Take Good Care Of Your Physique

Take care of your physical health:

Get plenty of rest. Every day, go to bed and get up at the same time. Even if you’re staying at home, stick to your regular sleep-wake routine.
Engage in regular physical activity. Physical activity and exercise regularly can help reduce anxiety and enhance mood. Find a movement-based activity, such as dance or fitness applications. Take a walk outside, such as on a nature trail or in your backyard.
Maintain a well-balanced diet and limit your intake of junk food and refined sugar. Caffeine should be consumed in moderation to exacerbate tension, anxiety, and sleep problems.
Unwind and recharge. Make time for yourself. Even a few minutes of quiet time can be rejuvenating and beneficial in calming your thoughts and reducing stress. Deep breathing, yoga, tai chi, mindfulness, and meditation are beneficial practices for many people.

2. Take Good Care Of Your Mind

Concentrate on pleasant thoughts: Instead of obsessing on how horrible you feel, choose to focus on the good things in your life. Also, consider beginning each day by making a list of things you are grateful for overcoming. You should also keep a positive attitude, work to accept changes as they come, and keep concerns in perspective.

Limit your exposure to the news media: Constant coverage of COVID-19, in all forms of media, can make us more anxious. You can decrease your exposure to rumors and misleading information by limiting your use of social media. Limiting your reading, hearing, and seeing news, while staying up to date on national and local suggestions.

Seek help from your moral compass or spiritual life: When you draw strength from your belief system, it can provide you with comfort during complex and uncertain circumstances.

Establish priorities: Don’t get overwhelmed by making a life-changing list of things to accomplish while you’re at home. Instead, each day, set acceptable goals for yourself and detail the activities you will take to achieve those goals. Give yourself credit for every modest move in the right direction. Also, accept that some days will be better than others.

3. Make Good Relationship with People

Avoid social isolation if you work from home or need to distance yourself from others for a long time owing to COVID-19. Instead, make time to communicate virtually via email, SMS, phone, or video chat each day.

Ask your coworkers how they’re doing and offer coping strategies if you work from home. Finally, enjoy virtual mingling and communicating with individuals in your own house.

Recognize What Is Normal and What Is Not

Stress is a normal psychological and physiological response to life’s challenges. Everyone reacts differently to adversity, and it’s natural to feel stressed and worried during a crisis. However, various problems, such as the consequences of the COVID-19 epidemic, can overwhelm you.

Many people may experience mental health issues during this time, including anxiety and depression symptoms. And emotions might shift over time.

Regardless of your efforts, you may feel helpless, unhappy, angry, impatient, despairing, nervous, or terrified. You may experience difficulties concentrating on ordinary tasks, changes in appetite, bodily aches, and pains, or difficulty sleeping, or you may struggle to complete routine duties.

When these signs and symptoms linger for several days in a row, make you unhappy, and cause problems in your everyday life to the point where you find it challenging to carry out usual responsibilities, it’s time to seek medical attention.

Seek Psychological Help

Hoping that mental health issues like stress or depression would go away on their own might worsen it. If you have concerns or your mental health symptoms worsen, seek help when you need it and be honest about how you’re feeling.

We’re here to help. Davenport Psychology has one of the finest Licensed Psychologist Florida & Marriage Counselors in Sarasota, Florida.

Our doctors, Dr. Charles R. Davenport and Dr. Swapnil Gohil have helped many patients from all walks of life beat mental stress and depression – and they would love to help you do the same. You can visit our office today if you reside in Florida for the best psychological services.