Coronavirus inflicts outbreak of anxiety and stress: Here’s how to cope

Fosterfields Living Historical Farm in Morris Township

The coronavirus pandemic has inflicted an outbreak of anxiety and fear. Few people are immune. Medical experts encourage people to destress by eating healthy, getting fresh air and exercise and staying socially connected - even if from a distance. Steve Hockstein | For NJ Advance MediaSteve Hockstein | For NJ Advance Media

Life in the time of the coronavirus pandemic is taking a toll on mental health.

We are bombarded with unceasing information and breaking news. Our phones are going crazy with alerts. Our workplaces are changing the rules. We’re being told to stay away from crowds; to stay away from worship service, to keep our distance.

The sum total for many of us is a heightened - even overwhelming - sense of anxiety and fear.

For people who on a regular basis struggle with anxiety issues, the coronavirus pandemic has certainly exacerbated symptoms. But the stress is impacting everyone. We are all feeling the anxiety of the unknown as the potentially lethal pathogen upends our daily lives.

Medical experts say that it’s important for everyone to manage their stress and anxiety levels and to seek out healthy ways to lessen the impact of those symptoms in our lives.

“People are just feeling anxious and worried,” said Dr. Thea Gallagher, of the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center. “I don’t think many of us have lived through a situation like this before. There’s a lot of unknowns, a lot of cancellations. You start to look around and say, ‘Should I be worried?’”

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The contagion factor makes matters worse. COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, appears to be more contagious and fatal than the flu so far, medical experts say. Moreover, medical experts suspect COVID-19 may have a higher death rate than the seasonal flu, but all of the specifics about the virus are expected to change as more is learned about the virus.

“It feels like impending doom,” Gallagher said. “And it’s multiplying and feels a lot like it’s out of our control.”

The anxiety and fear factors stemming from the pandemic are so real that the Centers for Disease Controls has established an online pandemic resource web presence addressing those issues.

For some people the fear and anxiety generated by the pandemic has been overwhelming.

The CDC warns that people who may respond more strongly to the stress of the public health crisis include, older people and people with chronic diseases who are at higher risk for COVID-19; children and teens; and people who are helping with the response to COVID-19, like doctors and other health care providers, or first responders.

Read: Coronavirus cancellations: Updated list of postponements, more in central Pa.

But as social media platforms show, everyone is being impacted.

“We are seeing folks who have been struggling with anxiety and stress. They may be feeling that a lot more keenly during this time,” said Dr. Jennifer Chambers, senior vice president and Chief Medical Officer at Capital BlueCross.

“Even folks who heretofore may not have had any of these symptoms may be starting to feel ill at ease with all the change. They are wondering how long it is going to last. Will anyone I love going to get sick? We may have family members who are in those vulnerable demographics like older folks or people with chronic diseases. All of that, what we are hearing, what we are being exposed to and being bombarded with is helping to drive that ill at ease feeling and anxiety and stress.”

There are coping mechanisms, including at the top of the list, the tried-and-true tested foils of exercise, eating right, seeking out relaxing activities and even in a time of prescribed social distancing - social connections - to deal with the mounting stress.

“Don't catastrophize,” Gallagher said. “It just makes us feel worse. Remember the things you can control and realize that worrying about the things you can’t control is a futile enterprise.”

Practicing social distancing doesn’t mean we should not stay connected remotely.

“The main reason why this is happening is so we protect our most vulnerable population,” Gallagher said. “This is something we are doing for the greater good and that can make us feel empowered.”

Chambers encourages anyone with pre-existing mental health issues like depression and anxiety to continue to see or contact their mental health professional to access care as needed.

“If you are experiencing those issues, please access your provider and talk to them about what you may be experiencing,” Chambers said. “If someone is not seeing someone in behavioral health but is having trouble sleeping or having problems with their appetite or concentration, this might be the right time to access those services.”

CORONAVIRUS CASES IN PENNSYLVANIA: Click to see where cases of the coronavirus are in Pennsylvania are located. Please note that the pins mark the exact geographic location when available. If said location is not available, it marks the center of the county.

Both medical professionals stress that employer-assistance mental health programs are a good place to start to access services. But for those people who do not have employer-provided access to services, a wealth of resources can also be found online.

Experts say to avoid the temptation to self medicate with alcohol or other substances.

“We encourage people to stay healthy. To exercise. To talk to people, eat right,” Chambers said. “If you need to complain a little about this wedding being canceled, it’s good to talk to other people, but if you are struggling with more serious issues, I do recommend you seek some help.”

You know that list of things you have been meaning to do or tackle or embark on? This is a good time to do so.

“I think we should be leaning into the inevitability of this is how things are going to be for a time instead of fighting it,” Gallagher said. “How can I make the most out of this time with these limitations? Everyone finds things that make them more relaxed, less anxious. Maybe make a list of those things you want to do. Things that give you pleasure. And remind yourself that this is time limited. It is not going to last forever. Yes, it’s going to last longer than we expected, but it will end.”

If you, or someone you care about, are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others call 911:

  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746. (TTY 1-800-846-8517)

The Pennsylvania Department of Health encourages anyone having a crisis or emergency to call 911 or local crisis centers. Resources include:

  • National Hopeline Network, 1-800-784-2433  (1-800-SUICIDE)
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-8255  (1-800-273-TALK) 
  • The Trevor Project - Crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LBGTQ youth,1-866-488-7386
  • Vet2Vet Veteran's Crisis Hotline, 1-877-838-2838  (1-877-VET-2-VET)
  • Veteran's Crisis Line, 1-800-273-8255 press 1
  • Youth America Hotline - Counseling for Teens by Teens, 1-877-968-8454  (1-877-YOUTHLINE)

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