Going on With Life Amidst COVID-19/Coronavirus Outbreak
This blog was quickly written and is not fully polished. Therefore, I fairly warn you that you will find typos and grammar errors. However, I found it more necessary to share this post now, instead of holding off with propper editing. It seemed rather silly to worry about impressing you with a picture-perfect well-put-together post.
If you are reading this, you very likely noticed some serious and concerning changes around you. Schools being shut down, events are being canceled, social gatherings are discouraged, and restaurants are closing (or only open for pick-up or delivery). Grocery stores running out of toilet paper, water, food, sanitizing, and disinfecting items. There also appears an ongoing struggle of restocking necessities. Some of this shortage appears artificially created due to mass panic and people overbuying and hoarding, which leaves others not to get any of these items when needed. We hear the terms quarantines and lock-downs. It all seems surreal, almost as if we are entering a zombie apocalypse. Many businesses are operating on a skeleton-crews, or even have to shut down altogether. Others who are lucky enough to keep working may all of a sudden have to face the problem of their kids being home-bound without a plan in place about continuing schooling. People are worried about getting infected, worry about losing their jobs, worry if they can pay their bills, and worry how life is going to go on if things don’t normalize quickly.
When Times Get Hard, A Positive Mindset Can See You Through
I decided to write this blog not because I have the answers. In fact, I don’t have the answers! I have many questions and concerns, just as you do. I share your worries and frankly, it keeps me up at night. However, I have my faith and positive mindset that keeps me going.
I am a behavioral health clinician and I operate as a Licensed Professional Counselor. I am not a medical doctor, physician, or nurse. I can’t give medical advice, and it’s not my intent to tell you how to read symptoms, self-diagnose, or prevent/treat COVID-19. However, I put together a list of vital resources that I gathered from government websites, health care organizations, and colleagues in the medical field. It also includes some well put together ideas to address mental health issues that are caused by this epidemic. I hope you find these resources helpful, as I tried to find the most complete and up-to-date information that is available right now. It includes international, national, state, and local material from trustworthy sources. This information may change. Hence please keep yourself updated on what is going on and watch the news. Recommendations, directions, guidelines, quarantines, and laws may change. Also, use common sense!! You don’t need 20 megapacks of toilet paper or 80 bottles of hand sanitizer. You will be fine with just buying what you always buy. Please leave a few cans of soups on the shelf for your neighbor to purchase.
Please don’t linger in your fear and stop living. Don’t allow anxiety and panic to overwhelm you. Don’t let depression slip in and take control. Find some normalcy and enjoyment of little things, don’t allow your life to be controlled by anyone else but you. Control your fear, control your thoughts, control your mind!! Keep irrational thoughts and mass hysteria away from you. Of course, you will be worried, that is natural. However, you are in control of how you react to your situation. Don’t allow the situation to control you. When speaking to family members, friends, and work colleagues, the current situation will come up during your conversation. You will hear a lot of opinions and “facts”, however, it is your job to keep your sanity and to keep living your life. Keep a positive mindset. With a positive mindset in place, you will put other people at ease and help them better cope with the current situation.
The Fear You Are Feeling Is Normal Right Now
Many people will experience mental health concerns, specifically related to anxiety and depression due to ongoing worries about what is going to happen and how we are affected. The fear of the unknown will confuse us, freeze us, and anger us. Some people will have an easier time with this than others. Some people may already struggle with emotional issues and now experience symptoms escalating. Others might be triggered by financial worries or the obvious health concern of getting infected. There will be a lot of frustration and anger that we may channel at loved ones. This can affect close relationships and even worsen things for us. I encourage you to speak with a trusted person about your worries, talking to someone truly helps! Also try to listen to other people, as your listening might make a huge difference in someone else’s life.
As humans, we need to come together and help one another. If you are in a position to help someone somehow (by listening, donating a couple of rolls of toilet paper, water, or food) please do so. We must be grateful for our blessings and remind ourselves that others are worse off. Keep passing your blessings forward, even if your blessings appear small and little right now. Let’s be a community of humans who care about each other and support one another. Check-in on your elderly neighbors who live alone to make sure they are okay. Maybe you can run for them to the grocery store or help out otherwise. Let’s not forget about the most vulnerable in our community that relies on our help just to eat and have a roof over their heads.
If you feel you are reaching a tipping point due to overwhelming anxiety and/or depression, please reach out to speak to a counselor/therapist. There is no shame in seeking professional help and it may help you better cope with your symptoms. Due to the current situation, most therapists have converted to video therapy, which allows you to speak to a professional without leaving your home. Did you know that video/teletherapy is just as effective as seeing a person face-to-face? Video therapy isn’t just for millennials. Because there are now worries of health exposure, it’s easy to use, and you can leave on your PJ‘s, video therapy has reached its top peak in popularity.
You can use PsychologyToday.com to find counselors that offer video therapy. If you are interested in working with me, I offer a free 15 min consultation to ensure we are a good match. Reach out to me to see if you could benefit from depression therapy. If you experiencing suicidal thoughts, please call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Hotline (800-273-8255), don’t wait for a counseling session if you experience a mental health emergency.
There are always positive and good things in our life. We must concentrate on these things and move on with life. The show must go on ;)
Vital References and Resources
WHO, CDC, State and Local Governing
North Texas Behavioral Health Authority:
COVID-19 24/7 Mental Health Support Line 833-251-7544
Mental Health Resources
Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health: Tips for Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation During an Infectious Disease Outbreak - Courtesy of SMASHA
Coping with Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks - Courtesy of SMASHA
Talking with Children: Tips for Caregivers, Parents, Teachers During Infectious Disease Outbreaks - Courtesy of SMASHA
Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families cope with the Coronavirus Disease 2019
Parent/caregiver guide to help families cope with COVID-19 - Courtesy of NCTSN
Preparing Your Household
Preparing your household for COVID-19 - Courtesy of CDC
What to Do If…
What to do if you have or might have coronavirus disease. (PDF) - Courtesy of Dallas County
What to do if you have symptoms of coronavirus disease but have not been around someone who has been diagnosed with coronavirus disease. (PDF) - Courtesy of Dallas County
What to do if you think you were exposed to someone with coronavirus disease. (PDF) - Courtesy of Dallas County
Proper Hand-Washing Protocol and Info About Hand Sanitizer Use
Proper handwashing guide and info about hand sanitizer - Courtesy of CDC
Coping Skills, Mindfulness Techniques, Anger Management, Assertive Communication, Setting Boundaries Conflict Resolution, Deep Breathing Techniques, Decatastrophizing
Helpful Resources and Coping Techniques to Reduce Stress during COVID-19 - Courtesy of TherapistAid.com, coloringpanda.com, BoysTown National Hotline, yourlifeyourvoice.org
