When we talk about trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder, there is usually a single life-changing event that triggers an intense emotional and physical response. With the pandemic, however, we have not witnessed a stressful event - we have experienced and continue to experience many traumatic events.
Evidence suggests that the pandemic - and all the fear, stress, isolation and sadness it has caused - has been a major traumatic stressor. Some signs to consider:
1. Frequent emotional reactions
After experiencing a traumatic event, many people tend to later have problems concentrating and in different situations or relationships. Because all of our energy is focused on survival, hypervigilance can lead to difficulty concentrating. For many people, this symptom manifests as large emotional reactions to small issues or stressors. You may also experience severe discomfort when someone coughs or sneezes near you.
2. Fatigue
Emotional fatigue and physical exhaustion are not traditional responses to post-traumatic stress, but in the context of the pandemic - where traumatic stressors are ongoing - many people feel particularly tired.
3. Negativity
People may find it difficult to see the future and feel positive, especially in such circumstances. Some people develop a negative perception of themselves and self-esteem is not as it used to be.
4. Physical pain
Traumatic stress, especially when it is persistent and chronic, can affect physical health. Over time, stress and trauma can result in decreased immune function along with increased tension and pain throughout the body.
This physical pain manifests itself in different ways - some people develop migraines and headaches, while others experience digestive problems, increased blood pressure, back pain or joint pain.
5. Sleep
Traumatic stress can cause insomnia, trouble falling and staying asleep, stress dreams and anxieties.
6. Withdrawal
Shmangia, ose shkëputja e qëllimshme nga të tjerët, është një tjetër efekt i zakonshëm i ekspozimit ndaj traumës. Në mënyrë specifike me Covidin, shumë njerëz kanë probleme të riangazhohen me aktivitete, vende dhe njerëz që dikur i pëlqenin.
Si të menaxhoni këto simptoma
Hapi i parë është njohja kur këto simptoma bëhen problem. Ekziston një nivel i duhur dhe një pikë në të cilën dëmtojnë aftësinë tonë për të funksionuar. Nëse ndonjë nga këto simptoma po ndikon ndjeshëm në jetën tuaj, është koha për të kërkuar ndihmë profesionale.
Është gjithashtu e rëndësishme të zhvillohen mekanizma të shëndetshëm përballues. Riangazhohuni me njerëzit. Ushtrohuni rregullisht. Jini të durueshëm dhe dëgjoni trupin tuaj.
Symptoms can appear at any time, sometimes months or years after the traumatic event. Allow yourself to heal and process emotions at your own pace.
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Sources: HuffPost, WebMD
