Coronavirus got you and your family anxious? Try a mental ‘check-in,’ psychiatrist says
The COVID-19 crisis has proven anxiety-inducing for many Americans now struggling to cope with their “new normal.”
With schools out and many businesses still shuttered, families have had their daily lives usurped by a virus that, as of Friday, has infected nearly 1.3 million people nationwide and almost 4 million globally, according to Johns Hopkins University.
A recent report from Google showing searches for “panic attack symptoms” are on the rise is just one example of the impact the coronavirus is having on people’s mental health. Amid the anxiety, Georgia psychiatrist Dr. Stephen Fleming says one way to stay grounded is simply by “checking in” with yourself from time to time.
Acknowledging feelings of fear and discomfort is the first step, as well as pinpointing what you can and cannot control, experts say.
“Self check-ins and checking in on loved ones is something we can all do to kind of support each other right now,” Fleming, a therapist with Georgia Behavioral Health Professionals, told McClatchy News. “Listen to others, [and] hear what they’re going through.”
Fears over the pandemic have been “a major stressor on people,” according to Fleming. However, the psychiatrist said he’s found that most people aren’t worried about the virus itself.
“I don’t want to give a percentage, but less than half the people I’ve talked to that are struggling with anxiety during the pandemic say it’s not specifically related to the virus, but more so related to how the virus has impacted day-to-day life,” Fleming explained.
From coast to coast, schools in Georgia, California, South Carolina and others, have closed for the remainder of the year, The Journal reports, shifting students to a virtual learning environment. Many adults still find themselves still working from home, even as state economies begin to reopen.
Though difficult, Fleming said maintaining a daily routine while at home can help instill a sense of normalcy, even in times of uncertainty. He said this is “definitely helpful” for children and teens as they hunker down at home.
Social distancing guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has kept some families and friends apart, and Fleming stressed the importance of touching base with those who may be isolated and/or quarantined elsewhere. Checking in with those at your own home, including the youngsters, is just as important, Fleming said.
“It’s similar to a self-care check list, in how you would want to check in with your partner during a time like this,” he said. “You can do the same with your kids. Ask them how they’re feeling, ask them what ‘s going on. It doesn’t necessarily have to be, ‘are you anxious?’ but just a talk about how their day is going, or talk about what’s stressing them out.”
A recent poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that nearly half of Americans feel the coronavirus has negatively impacted their mental health, McClatchy News reported. Calls to a crisis hotline also saw a 1000% increase in April compared to last year, and around 20,000 people texted for help, according to the newspaper.
To ease anxiety related to the coronavirus, the CDC suggests deep breathing, connecting with friends (safely) and carving out time to unwind, according to its website. Sufficient rest, meditation and unplugging from the coronavirus-heavy news cycle can also help, Fleming told McClatchy News.
“There’s a lot of different sources of anxiety,” he said. “It’s widespread.”
This story was originally published May 8, 2020 at 7:09 PM with the headline "Coronavirus got you and your family anxious? Try a mental ‘check-in,’ psychiatrist says."