In my last post, I wrote about the impact of the pandemic from the perspective of trauma and how similar to other types of trauma the pandemic is - there are lots of parallels.
To briefly recap on what we covered: trauma is a deeply disturbing experience that has the potential to destabilize an individual, depending on how they cope. Some people are okay. Some people go on to develop PTSD as well as what is referred to as PTSS - Post Traumatic Stress Symptoms that typically arise in the shorter term after trauma; many will go on to experience PTG or post-traumatic growth and find some positive change through the experience.
Pandemic Trauma
The pandemic has been traumatic in many ways, from the strain on health systems and health care professionals, though to the death of loved ones, the loss of employment, financial fallout from the economic impact of the disease.
Everyone is affected in some way, although not everyone is affected in the same way.
How a person is affected depends on the proximity of the experience of Covid-19 - whether they have been in lockdown, whether they have had the disease or know someone who has, have they lost a loved one to Covid-19.
Everyone reacts to trauma differently just as everyone will react to grief differently.
Some people are mentally affected, some are less so.
Of crucial significance is the rise in mental health issues globally. Whilst differences exist between socio-economic groups, the evidence reveals an increase in mental health issues including depression, anxiety, stress, sleep disorders and PTSS, on a global scale.
Mental Health Fallout
The impact of all of these mental health disturbances is not insignificant. If unresolved, these problems have the potential to become habitual patterns. Importantly, and beyond the immediacy of the impact on a person’s mental health, there is an increase in the stress load on people susceptible to the negative fallout from the pandemic. This, directly and indirectly, affects a person's wellbeing.
In my next post, I’ll go into more depth about what happens to people during stressful life events such as the pandemic.
Let's be Pen Pals!
I would love for you to join my email list for (very) occasional updates! You can join up at the form below - scroll down to the very bottom of the page. Can't wait to see you on the other side! |