AT RISK TO DEVELOP PTSD DUE TO COVID-19
Times are tough these days. A global pandemic has cast a murky shadow over the entire world making most of the population stay at home, watching the daily surge in the number of people who have succumbed to this deadly disease.
While one feels overwhelmed from the comfort of their home, the situation is far more adverse for our heroes who are working hard day and night on the frontline to put an end to this global misery. Same goes for the people who have lost a loved one during these trying times.
COVID-19 has made these people susceptible to depression, anxiety and PTSD. Although there are various sources of mental health awareness in Vaughan Ontario, Vaughan Counselling and Psychotherapy has decided to step up and play their part in the much needed COVID-19 help.
The clinic has created a PWYC-Pay-what-you-can program with Cara, Melissa, Rasha or Angela, for anyone struggling with a mental illness due to COVID-19 and cannot pay regular therapy fees. Also, the clinic has offered a sliding scale and has volunteered to help with COVID-19 Mental Health team to offer pro-bono counselling services for front-line workers struggling with mental health concerns.
What is PTSD?
PTSD is known as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Although it is generally associated with something like warfare, it is a persistent psychological condition that may arise in individuals who have suffered or undergone a stressful incident, such as a major injury, a violent attack, or physical abuse.
However, in the midst of a stressful incident such as the COVID-19 pandemic, it is normal to feel this way and this condition is likely to be widespread among all front-line workers, particularly those employed in healthcare and those who have lost their loved ones to COVID-19.
PTSD Symptoms
People who have witnessed or endured the traumatic experience of this pandemic can develop symptoms of PTSD. Symptoms may be both mental and physical and include:
Reliving the incident by intense hallucinations or traumatic flashbacks.
Imagining that the occurrence is taking place at the current moment.
Cognitive numbness.
Remorse, fear, or panic.
Emotional outbursts.
Insomnia.
Suicidal ideation.
Psychotherapy
The treatment for PTSD is as follows:
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a form of psychotherapy that has repeatedly been recognized as the most common medication for PTSD in both the short and long term. CBT for PTSD is distress-focused, which implies that the stress incident is the subject of therapy. It concentrates on recognizing, comprehending, and modifying emotional and cognitive patterns.
CBT is an intensive procedure in which the individual engages in and out of routine visits and develops the techniques to be adapted to their symptoms. The techniques acquired during counseling sessions are exercised regularly which continue to facilitate the recovery of symptoms. Generally, CBT therapies take effect over 12 to 16 weeks.
It further includes the following therapies:
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Prolonged Exposure (PE)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Stress Inoculation Training (SIT)
Final Verdict
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a huge mental and physical toll on the front-line workers and the people who have lost someone dear to them due to this deadly disease. In such conditions, it is common for them to suffer from severe mental issues such as PTSD.
But with proper care and effort, their mental health can surely be improved. All one needs to do is stay positive as there is light at the end of the tunnel. For more information on counselling or how Psychotherapy can help you please email us info@vaughanpsychotherapist.com or give us a call 647-267-9853