Covid and energy budget
Daily I talk to individuals who are reporting what seem to be symptoms of clinical depression. Some of these individuals have a history of clinical depression. It is not unusual for those with such a history to report increased symptoms during the fall and the spring when the body is attempting to adjust the internal temperature to synch with the external temperature. Some individuals are also particularly vulnerable to the lack of sunlight in some areas of the country.
This year those with a history of clinical depression are often reporting more acute depression which often may not be responding to medication. Many who do not have a history of depression are reporting symptoms which seem, on the surface, to be unrelated to situational events. They are reporting increased tiredness, lack of joy, being easily irritated, feeling emotional (anger, tears, impatience, anxiety, feeling overwhelmed), more difficulty focusing, detached, low libido, and a host of other indications that their body is not happy. When the body is not happy it does not function as well. Many of us pride ourselves in functioning well at work and at home. Not functioning well increases one’s feeling of “dis ease”.
Many of these symptoms are a healthy response to living with the direct and indirect effects of Covid-19. Our bodies are not designed to live long term in crisis mode. Some of the best studies of what happens to the body when it is subjected to high stress for long periods of time has been done with those who live in combat conditions for prolonged periods of time. Medical personnel have tracked the gradual breaking down of the organs and systems in the body when living with chronic stress. Those living with domestic violence, in other active combat situations, in negative work environments, in poverty or the constant fear of poverty, chronic physical pain and other ongoing stressful situations will report a variety of physical and emotional symptoms,
Living in a pandemic means:
The results of these chronic stressors as the pandemic continues to kidnap our lives leads to what I am diagnosing as empty gas tanks. In many cases not much can be done to refuel although just recognizing and being able to verbalize how one is being affected – albeit from a safe social distance – is helpful. Knowing that there is an end in sight will be comforting and helpful to some. Accepting that healing from acute trauma is a long-term process - that help may be available - is reassuring to many.
Medication may, for some, be a helpful way to regulate sleep, appetite and other symptoms. The problem is that often in order to prescribe medication or to bill insurance for therapy will require a diagnosis. Labeling the symptoms as clinical depression will often insure that treatment is covered by insurance companies, but that diagnosis can also affect access to other resources such as life insurance. Most important it is not accurate. Physician, counselors and patients will also want to explore other, available ways of taking care of oneself emotionally, physically, spiritually and nutritionally. Most important is being able to share what is going on and to know that the body is responding “in a healthy manner” to an unhealthy set of circumstances.
Written December 1, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett
coadhpickett.org
Daily I talk to individuals who are reporting what seem to be symptoms of clinical depression. Some of these individuals have a history of clinical depression. It is not unusual for those with such a history to report increased symptoms during the fall and the spring when the body is attempting to adjust the internal temperature to synch with the external temperature. Some individuals are also particularly vulnerable to the lack of sunlight in some areas of the country.
This year those with a history of clinical depression are often reporting more acute depression which often may not be responding to medication. Many who do not have a history of depression are reporting symptoms which seem, on the surface, to be unrelated to situational events. They are reporting increased tiredness, lack of joy, being easily irritated, feeling emotional (anger, tears, impatience, anxiety, feeling overwhelmed), more difficulty focusing, detached, low libido, and a host of other indications that their body is not happy. When the body is not happy it does not function as well. Many of us pride ourselves in functioning well at work and at home. Not functioning well increases one’s feeling of “dis ease”.
Many of these symptoms are a healthy response to living with the direct and indirect effects of Covid-19. Our bodies are not designed to live long term in crisis mode. Some of the best studies of what happens to the body when it is subjected to high stress for long periods of time has been done with those who live in combat conditions for prolonged periods of time. Medical personnel have tracked the gradual breaking down of the organs and systems in the body when living with chronic stress. Those living with domestic violence, in other active combat situations, in negative work environments, in poverty or the constant fear of poverty, chronic physical pain and other ongoing stressful situations will report a variety of physical and emotional symptoms,
Living in a pandemic means:
- Less physical contact /nurturing.
- Constant vigilance.
- Threats to housing, availability of food or otherwise being able to take care for family.
- Physical illness and/or threat of same.
- Increased domestic violence.
- Increased use of alcohol and other forms of self-medication.
- Illness and death of friends, colleagues and family.
- Not having rituals such as funerals, weddings, graduations, birthday celebrations, and other supportive gatherings.
- No childcare such as school.
- Teaching responsibilities for ill prepared parents and other care givers.
- Postponement of legal proceeding.
- Closed or restricted treatment facilities for such illnesses as addiction.
- More deaths - covid-19, addiction or other illnesses.
- Less access to health care.
- Less ability to examine patients in person.
- Exhaustion; especially of health care workers, teachers, parents and others.
- Politicalization of covid-19 issues leading to increased polarization
- Less access to healthy food.
The results of these chronic stressors as the pandemic continues to kidnap our lives leads to what I am diagnosing as empty gas tanks. In many cases not much can be done to refuel although just recognizing and being able to verbalize how one is being affected – albeit from a safe social distance – is helpful. Knowing that there is an end in sight will be comforting and helpful to some. Accepting that healing from acute trauma is a long-term process - that help may be available - is reassuring to many.
Medication may, for some, be a helpful way to regulate sleep, appetite and other symptoms. The problem is that often in order to prescribe medication or to bill insurance for therapy will require a diagnosis. Labeling the symptoms as clinical depression will often insure that treatment is covered by insurance companies, but that diagnosis can also affect access to other resources such as life insurance. Most important it is not accurate. Physician, counselors and patients will also want to explore other, available ways of taking care of oneself emotionally, physically, spiritually and nutritionally. Most important is being able to share what is going on and to know that the body is responding “in a healthy manner” to an unhealthy set of circumstances.
Written December 1, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett
coadhpickett.org
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