It seems like years ago, but truly it was only weeks ago that your life was pretty predictable. Stressful, sure. But at least you were familiar with those stressors.
Now, you’re home from work on a daily basis. OR you’re deemed “essential” and going to work every single day knowing that you are potentially exposing yourself to the coronavirus. The kids are home from school. Somehow, you are supposed to be making sure they continue to get an education. But how do you prioritize education right now? And since when did you volunteer to be your children’s teacher?
Everyone in the house is going a little stir crazy from cabin fever. Even those who leave for work or a quick trip to the store are tired of not being able to do “normal” things. Everyone misses somebody. You miss friends and family. The kids miss their school friends.
The Definition of Trauma
As our trauma therapists have said before, the definition of trauma can be a bit complicated. However, the simple version of a definition is “trauma is anything that overwhelms your ability to cope.”
Officially, the field of psychology (or at least or official diagnostic manual) defines trauma, “exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence in one (or more) of the following ways:
- Directly experiencing the traumatic event(s).
- Witnessing, in person, the event(s) as it occurred to others.
- Learning that the traumatic event(s) occurred to a close family member or close friend. In cases of actual or threatened death of a family member or friend, the event(s) must have been violent or accidental.
- Experiencing repeated or extreme exposure to aversive details of the traumatic event(s) (e.g. first responders collecting human remains; police officers repeatedly exposed to details of child abuse).”
So is the Coronavirus Pandemic “Traumatic?”
So often, people think that trauma can only occur with military service or sexual assault. Therefore, you may not have thought of recent events as traumatic. But, as a therapist, I believe this IS a traumatic event everyone in our society is going through.
First, Coronavirus is affecting you. Even if you haven’t gotten sick, you may be living with the fear that you might get infected and may not survive. Even if you aren’t personally afraid, you may be hearing about close friends and family members who are in danger every day. Perhaps your spouse is a nurse going to the hospital to care for coronavirus patients. Or your sister is a police officer now donning PPE to respond to routine calls. Maybe a friend is an EMT picking up critically ill patients to transport to the hospital. At a bare minimum, you experiencing repeated exposure to details about the pandemic every time you watch the news.
So, yes, what you are going through does qualify as a “traumatic” event even by the more specific criteria laid out in the official diagnostic manual therapists use to diagnose mental health problems.
Acknowledge the Trauma of the Coronavirus
There is power in simply recognizing that what’s going on is traumatic. Perhaps you’ve tried to minimize this. Or said, “I don’t have time to feel emotional right now.”
I encourage you now to take just a moment to acknowledge how big this is. Notice the loss you’ve experienced. Acknowledge that this is NOT normal. In fact, this is a trauma nobody has been through before.
Next, Give Yourself Permission to Feel
Now that you’ve acknowledged that what you are going through is BIG, the next step to stay as psychologically healthy as possible. So, give yourself space to feel whatever may come up. It’s ok to cry. It’s ok to scream. You can be scared. Maybe you’ve even relieved to have this time at home. Or you’re grieving the loss of someone you love.
The truth is that if you avoid these emotions, they will still be there. They just become buried under the surface and will reappear up at the worst time.
So, try leaning in and acknowledging the emotions. Let yourself notice what’s going on and validate those feelings. Because whatever is coming up for you now is REAL. And it’s okay.
Everyone Copes With Trauma Differently
On one hand, this pandemic is a shared trauma. What I mean is, literally everyone around us is experiencing this traumatic experience right now. It might look a little different for someone who lives in Atlanta versus Cartersville in Bartow County. And it might look different for someone who lives alone versus a parent who is at home with young children. But everyone is impacted. Everyone in Georgia is under a Stay-At-Home Order. Most of us are following the news. And the effects of this pandemic can be felt state-wide in regards to changes in work, school, entertainment, and even grocery shopping.
However, it’s important to point out that everyone is feeling something different and coping with it differently. Remember above when I said that whatever you’re experiencing is okay? The same goes for those around you. They too are experiencing something completely new. So, don’t be surprised if a friend looks like they’re having a great time while you’re in the midst of grief. Everyone will have a slightly different experience, and therefore they’ll cope with their emotions differently.
Lastly, Focus on Self Care, Even During Stay-At-Home Orders
Right now, Georgia is under a “Stay-At-Home Order,” so those girls night outs, trips to the gym, and massages you may have relied on in the past for self-care aren’t going to cut it. But, think about what you CAN do for self-care right now. Maybe it’s the basics like getting enough sleep, eating three meals a day at regular times and going for a jog outside. Perhaps, you try other options like keeping a gratitude journal, using a fancy bottle of lotion you got for Christmas or giving yourself permission to read a book just for fun. The point is, do something to take care of yourself.
More and more people are talking about the mental exhaustion they are experiencing as this pandemic goes on. People who are out of work right now may be tired just from the sheer emotional weight of carrying the mental load of unemployment. And people who are working from home are experiencing a completely different kind of stress. So, the key here is to be very purposeful about refilling your cup and finding gratitude where you can. Try to find time to re-charge your emotional battery so you have the energy to keep going even in the midst of this stress.
Online Counseling in Georgia in the Midst of the Coronavirus Pandemic
The therapists at Wellview Counseling have been providing online counseling in Georgia well before this pandemic was ever a thought. Furthermore, our therapists understand trauma and mental health. The combination of our experience providing online counseling services with our trauma expertise makes Wellview Counseling an excellent choice if you are looking for the support of a therapist during this unique period of time. Beginning online counseling in Georgia with Wellview Counseling is easy. Simply follow these steps to get started:
- Contact our Roswell, GA counseling clinic to schedule an appointment,
- Meet with one of their compassionate trauma therapists,
- Find healing and peace after surviving trauma.
Please note, our therapists can offer counseling services online to anyone physically located in the state of Georgia. However, it’s important to know that due to licensing laws, we are typically unable to meet with therapy clients outside of the state.
Check Out Our Other Blogs on Mental Health During the Coronavirus Pandemic:
- COVID-19 Helping Kids Cope with Stress
- 3 Ways Teens Can Socialize During the Coronavirus Quarantine
Other Services offered at Wellview Counseling:
Wellview counseling, an Atlanta area mental health clinic offers a variety of therapy services to help you or your loved one find healing and growth. Their counseling services include PTSD and trauma treatment, play therapy, child counseling, individual counseling, social skills groups for kids, therapy for postpartum anxiety and depression, trauma and PTSD treatment, chronic illness counseling, family therapy, and positive discipline parent education opportunities. During the Coronavirus pandemic, Wellview counseling is offering online therapy, to comply with social distancing guidelines. Contact our Rosewell, GA mental health clinic to learn more about online counseling in Georgia and the many ways we can support you on your mental health journey.