How to Know If You Have Pandemic-Related PTSD
The last few years have been incredibly stressful for all of us. From worrying about health and safety, to the death or illness of friends and family, coping with financial hardship due to job loss, or having to constantly adjust to school closures and disruptions in childcare, life has been a non-stop rollercoaster of stress and anxiety. . As a result, some people may even be dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) caused by all of the stressors.
“Usually with an injury, something is coming at you that puts your body in fight, flight, or freeze mode, but with COVID, it’s an invisible threat,” said Stephanie Statas, Thriveworks licensed professional consultant who specializes in trauma care. Over the past few years, Statas has seen a significant increase in the number of people seeking treatment, many of whom deal with trauma-related symptoms such as anxiety, depression, irritability, and sleep disturbances.
Incessant stress can cause symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder
PTSD usually develops within a few weeks of the traumatic event , although it can sometimes appear months or years later. Symptoms include increased alertness, emotional avoidance or numbness, flashbacks, nightmares, irritability, anxiety, depression, and may also include physical symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, or abdominal pain.
Although we usually think that PTSD develops after a specific traumatic event, such as surviving a car crash or being violently assaulted, people can also develop the condition after being repeatedly exposed to stressful or traumatic events. If the traumatic events continued and there was no chance of rescue, this can lead to what is known as complex post-traumatic stress disorder, which has symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress disorder, but may also include feelings of guilt, shame, or worthlessness; decreased ability to regulate emotions; and problems forming and maintaining healthy relationships. “It doesn’t become just one incident anymore, now you have all of these incidents and it all adds up to make this a complex post-traumatic stress disorder,” Statas said.
Complex post-traumatic stress disorder often develops in people who grew up in a violent environment, were in an abusive relationship as an adult, or experienced another similar long period of stress that they could not get rid of. Given the widespread nature of the pandemic, the symptoms people struggle with are often the result of constant stress.
However, as experts are beginning to point out, the pandemic is a unique stressor that will have its own pattern of trauma-related symptoms. Some experts have already coined the term COVID stress syndrome , which includes fear of contagion, fear of the financial consequences of a pandemic; fear of others who may be infected; obsessive checking and seeking certainty; and other stress symptoms associated with the pandemic.
As Statas points out, the uncertainty and unpredictability of the last few years have been incredibly tense. “All these constant changes that just translate into these feelings of helplessness and powerlessness against something, and it’s difficult,” Statas said. “Just feeling in control of something can make us feel better, but two years without it is scary.”
What to do if you are experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder
If the stressors of the past few years have reached a point where they are having a negative impact on your personal relationships, your physical health and well-being, or your general emotional state, it is important to seek help as soon as possible.
“Whenever it hits you and you don’t know why, look at what you haven’t considered, what hasn’t been decided,” Statas said. “It will make up for lost time. I see it all the time.”
Generally speaking, it is recommended to find someone who is trained in trauma treatment as there are many different treatment options. Some of the most common types of therapy for PTSD include cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive processing therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, or eye movement desensitization and processing (EMDR) therapy.
Depending on your preferences, one type may work better than another. Many therapists will be trained in several types and can tailor strategies for each to suit your needs. “There is nothing to be ashamed of in therapy,” said Statas. “It’s no different than going to the doctor to take care of your health. Mental health and well-being are equally important.”