Traumatic Stress from Covid 19: Dealing with Psychological Trauma

Trauma can stem from all manner of events. It can result from life-threatening or violent occurrences, emotional abuse, or any stress-inducing incidents that tend to overwhelm an individual’s ability to cope. This inability to cope can manifest itself in several different ways both physically and emotionally which is why it is absolutely essential to seek trauma therapy and treatment. Experiencing traumatic stress from Covid-19 can result in a person feeling vulnerable, helpless, and left without a sense of security over their own lives.

The Covid 19 pandemic has brought about so much negativity, uncertainty, and stress to millions of people around the world that trauma has essentially sprouted into a worldwide public health crisis. Add to that the mandate of social distancing and forced isolation and you’ve got the perfect formula for fear and anxiety. 

Constant bombardment of news about the disease, factual or otherwise, exponentially adds fuel to the already uncontrollable fire and puts even more pressure and strain on the public. Being constantly exposed to news about infection and mortality rates can be emotionally draining and takes a heavy toll on a person’s well-being. 

Groups of People that are at a Higher Risk of More Stress and Trauma

These are specific groups of people that are at a higher risk of even more stress and trauma, namely: 

• Frontline workers (health care workers)
• Individuals who are at a higher risk of infection (seniors citizens, individuals with underlying or pre-existing conditions, etc)
• Essential workers
• Individuals with existing mental health conditions
• Individuals with disabilities
• Socially isolated individuals (individuals who live alone, people who live in isolated rural areas)
• Individuals experiencing employment insecurity
• Racial and ethnic minority groups, especially those who have no access to pertinent information in their primary language
• Individuals experiencing homelessness
• Individuals that have experienced childhood trauma.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, stress during an infectious disease outbreak can cause the following:

• Fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones, your financial situation or job, or loss of support services you rely on
• Changes in sleep or eating patterns
• Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
• Worsening of chronic health problems
• Worsening of mental health conditions 
• Increased use of tobacco, and/or alcohol and other substances

traumatic stress from Covid

Traumatic Stress from Covid 19: How to Cope With a Pandemic

Responding to unprecedented times like this depends upon each individual. A myriad of factors such as mental health, social support, financial security, and geographic factors play a crucial part in one’s ability to cope with the stress of this pandemic. 

There are, however, some basic adjustments to one’s lifestyle that could greatly improve one’s ability to manage the trauma brought about by Covid-19:

• Eating healthy, well-balanced meals
• Getting regular exercise
• Getting enough sleep
• Meditation
• Maintaining contact with family and friends
• Reducing the constant consumption of news about the disease

Making a conscious effort to make these small but meaningful changes in one’s daily routine could significantly affect their ability to regain some form of control in their life thereby reducing the effects of pandemic-related trauma. 

Traumatic Stress from Covid 19: Seeking Trauma Therapy in the Advent of Covid-19

We at Trauma and Beyond Center ®  understand that seeking therapy or a trauma treatment center under normal circumstances is a necessary step in overcoming trauma and moving forward to a healthier and happier mental state. But with the arrival of Covid-19, social distancing and forced isolation have made it difficult  to do this. 

Luckily, we at Trauma and Beyond ®  have made strides in making sure that we are still able to provide trauma therapy treatment for anyone in need of support and counseling during these turbulent times. 

The following safety protocols shall be strictly adhered to in our treatment center:

1. Clients and staff members will have their temperatures checked by the office manager before beginning daily treatment.
2. Clients and staff members are required to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before entering the facility, before leaving the facility, and throughout the day between sessions. 
3. The facility shall be consistently sanitized throughout the day and each night with CDC-approved infection prevention and sanitation protocols.
4. For in-house sessions, there shall be no physical contact and social distancing shall always be observed. 
5. Clients and staff members (and members of their families) who experience symptoms of Covid-19 (cold, dry cough, shortness of breath, loss of smell, flu-like symptoms) shall be asked to stay home, undergo a voluntary 14-day quarantine, and shift to Zoom sessions. 
6. Clients and staff members with recent travel history to Covid-19 affected areas shall be asked to undergo a voluntary 14-day quarantine. 
7. New admissions shall be asked to share their recent travel history, information on recent contact with individuals who have traveled to Covid-19 affected areas, and information on recent contact with individuals who have tested positive for the virus. 
8. New admissions shall be asked to provide a health certificate indicating their Covid-19 test results.

Trauma and Beyond Center ® believes that we can get through this very difficult time if we all work together to ensure the health and safety of all those involved is of paramount importance. Like any stressful situation, we can all rise above this challenge and work towards healing and recovery. If you are looking for help, call us and one of our trauma treatment program therapists will be happy to speak to you about our trauma therapy program.  Call us at 818-651-0725.