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Partially excerpted from Lee Health
We’ve
all been through a lot this year. And one issue that continues to make
headlines? Our mental health. Specifically, the effect of COVID-19 and all that
comes with it – vaccinations, quarantining, working from home, disrupted
schedules, lack of social interaction, and more.
Now is
a good time to pause and reflect. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so we
want to make sure we recognize a difficult truth: Nearly one in five Americans
lives with a mental health condition, according to the National
Institute of Mental Health.
That
includes any mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder such as:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Mood disorders, including
bipolar disorder
- Personality disorders
- Psychotic disorders,
including schizophrenia
- Trauma
- Eating disorders
- Substance -use disorders
A
recent statement by President Joe Biden on Mental Health Awareness Month
mentions isolation, sickness, grief, and job loss as contributing factors on
declining mental health as well as lack of access to mental health services
during difficult times.
But
it’s important to remember that you are not alone. In fact, that is the
theme of this year’s awareness month from the National
Alliance on Mental Illness. Experts
stress that now is the time to focus on healing, reaching out, and connecting
in safe ways by acknowledging that it’s okay to not be okay.
Signs and symptoms
Below
are a few suggestions and answers to common questions about how you and your
family can cope with the fear of the unknown—now, and in the future.
Q: What
are the common stress issues you see when a crisis arises, and are those the
same for what we are experiencing now with a pandemic?
A: Signs
and symptoms associated with stress include:
- Difficulties with sleep
- Low energy and motivation
- Sadness
- Nervousness
- Difficulties with
concentration
- Questioning one’s abilities
- Feeling easily annoyed or
irritable
Remember,
too, that adults and children handle stress differently.
A: Depending
on the age and personality of your child, stress can be handled differently.
Children may show:
- Defiance
- Disrespect
- Complaining
- Fighting
- Not wanting to leave your
side
- Ignoring
Q: What
are the best ways to stay mentally healthy during times of crisis?
A: One
of the best things you can do is to practice self-compassion. Be nice to
yourself. Ideas for this include:
- Remain hopeful. Find things
to be grateful about. You could start a gratitude journal, or keep notes
in a gratitude jar.
- Use your phone or computer
to stay connected with a balance on when to disconnect.
- Get the facts but
monitor the time you spend watching the news,
- Eat healthy and exercise,
maybe not the time to go on a strict diet or exercise regime, find a way
to make small changes such as eating less of the “bad food” or going on
walks.
- Focus on what you can do to
stay prepared.
- Be fun and creative while
at home (e.g., dance, listen to music, small house projects, journaling).
- Setting a routine/structure
to the day can combat boredom.
- Do not smoke, drink alcohol
or use drugs to deal with your feelings.
Q: How
does mental stress affect our physical health?
A: Our
emotional health paired with our physical health make us “healthy.” Stress is
normal for our bodies; however, we are generally able to recover from short
periods of stress. But stress that continues over a long period of time places
more strain to our health. Mental stress can impact the immune system in
many different ways and increase physical illness.
Reach Out and Come Together
Are
you or a family member struggling? Remember, too, that your primary care
physician or your child’s pediatrician is a perfect place to start the
conversation about stress levels and possible mental health issues. A medical
expert can advise your next steps including a conversation with a behavioral
health expert.
The
fact that everyone is experiencing the exact same problem can offer positive
benefits: “We know we are not alone on this one,” Jacqueline Hidalgo,
PsyD, of Lee Health said. “The challenge can be that we are all struggling
in one way or another and this can impact the amount of support one can get
from others.”