Telehealth Therapy In The Midst of a Pandemic: Finding Healthy Ways to Cope
We are living through a pandemic. And so it makes sense that a lot of big feelings are happening right now. And a lot of triggers. And a lot of strange symptoms, like a person who has always been able to sleep suddenly lies awake every night.
Living through a pandemic will do that. It will intensify things and bring on new things. From this perspective, if you are already working with a therapist, it makes sense to continue working virtually. Virtual/Telemental health has been found to be as effective as in person sessions (and has some unique benefits). And if you are not currently seeing a therapist, consider if you could use some extra help to get through this huge life event.
It’s like this: when an athlete has a big sporting event going on and they need extra help, they don’t wait to see a sports psychologist after the event is over. They see them as soon as they can. Same goes for us. We don’t need to wait until the pandemic is over to get support.
14 Common Responses To Global Pandemic
Not an exhaustive list.
Sleep issues begin or old ones exasperated
Food and eating challenges
Increased anxiety, panic, fear and overwhelm
Feeling continuously exhausted, fatigues, unmotivated, lethargic, drained
Past traumas resurrect, get triggered, re-experienced
Depression, shutdown, freeze, hopelessness
Continual helplessness, confusion, powerlessness
Anxiety around survival, health-wise, finance-wise, food-wise, etc.
Feelings of anger, frustration, and irritation
Feelings of grief, new and old
Caring for someone else at your own expense (having compassion and empathy fatigue)
Obsessive and compulsive thoughts around fears and anxieties
Body is continually tense and in brace mode (tight jaw, raised shoulders, clenched muscles)
Old coping mechanisms not helping as much as before
These responses are normal during a pandemic and they can impact our daily functions. Perhaps it's not too bad if we experience a day or two of this but living weeks in these states impacts our nervous system.
Therapy is NOT just for diagnosable diseases. Therapy is there to help you cope in a healthier way. And, boy, we are all coping at the moment. So if you could use that extra bit of a skilled hand right now, virtual therapy is just as effective as in person therapy.
Click here to learn more about counseling for anxiety.
