Author: Dr. Reena Benson

It seems these days that many of us could easily recite a list of physical symptoms of Coronavirus that may prompt a call to the physician—shortness of breath, fever, and a dry cough to name a few. But when it comes to our mental health, are we as able to notice the signs of when it may be time to reach out for additional support? While much of the news is focused on the physical aspects of this virus, it is becoming readily known and supported that the virus is also taking a toll on our mental health as we are required to live social distance-style.

During this time, it is not unusual to experience a host of different emotions and to experience distressing thoughts as we adjust to our new way of living. These emotions may include feeling anxious about your health, being worried about your loved ones, or grappling with the uncertainty we all face. You may be wrestling with the changes in how we relate and connect to others, along with shifts in your daily routine (I’m looking at you e-learning, and curbside grocery pickup). These may bring about feelings of loneliness and a wish for things to return to the days before the Coronavirus outbreak. You may also find yourself rethinking priorities, and making plans for the first things you will do when we can resume the things we once did. I, for one am looking forward to going out for dinner and getting an ice cream cone!

This is a difficult time, and not something any of us thought we would face in 2020. With all these changes, it’s certainly not surprising that we may feel like we are on a roller coaster of ups and downs. On this roller coaster, we may find ourselves alternating between periods of distress balanced with times of feeling okay, making this an incredibly important time to tune in to ourselves and assess how we are doing emotionally. But, how do we know when we might benefit from additional support if so many of these feelings are common? In more traditional time, as my colleague Dr. Collin Shotts discussed in his blog post a few months ago, it can be tricky to decipher when you may need to reach out for extra help. Today, we can appreciate that this may feel even more confusing. Provided below are some signs that additional support may be needed.

1. Emergence of new distressing feelings that are persistent and not easy to shake

New distressing feelings may come in the guise of anger, sadness, worry, etc., so be sure to keep an eye on any new feelings that are causing you distress and don’t seem to easily go away. There is no right or wrong way to feel, so be in tune with yourself.

2. Worries, worries, worries

Worries that are consuming (i.e. spending a great portion of your day worrying) or worries that are persistent and impacting your daily life/routine may signal that it’s time to reach out to a mental health provider.

3. Changes in sleeping or eating patterns

Although it’s always best to check-in with your primary care physician regarding these changes, fluctuations in sleeping or eating patterns can often be clues that we are struggling emotionally. If you find yourself sleeping and/or eating more, having difficulty falling or staying asleep, or eating much less that you normally do, you may benefit from additional support from a trained mental health professional.

4. Persistent feelings of loneliness or sadness

Things are hard right now, but you are not alone. If you are having intense feelings of loneliness or sadness that make it difficult to experience joy in your life, talking with a mental health professional can help ease those feelings.

We all respond and react to crises in different ways, and having some or all of these feelings partly comes with the territory of living through a health emergency. I hope you will take comfort in the fact that you are not alone. While this list is not exhaustive, my hope is that this piece makes it a bit easier to distinguish when talking with a mental health professional could help. And remember, there is never a right or wrong time to reach out. If you think you may benefit from additional support, we are here for you!

If you think you may be in need of additional support, Shared Vision is here. We are fully operational with Telehealth services available for remote therapy and phone sessions with appointments immediately available. Click here to complete an online submission to connect with one of our clinicians today.