Resilience and COVID
Resilience and COVID
By David Hellerstein, MD
We all know how difficult life has become in the past six months since Covid-19 began to have a devastating impact on the entire world.
As a practicing psychiatrist, I have spent many hours helping patients deal with social isolation, loss of income, health issues, and innumerable other consequences of the pandemic. Unsurprisingly, many people report worsening anxiety, insomnia, depression, and other symptoms. Treatment has included additional therapy sessions, adjusting medications, etc.
However, as attested by many of my fellow psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and other therapists, it has become apparent that many patients have done unusually well in the context of these unprecedented stresses. (One person told me, “I actually feel better.”) psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and other therapists, it has become apparent that many patients have done unusually well in the context of these unprecedented stresses. Rather than more symptoms, some people have fewer. As one person told me, ‘I actually feel better. It’s as though I’ve been preparing for this my whole life, and it’s almost a relief that it is finally happening- ing.’ Another patient described a sense of community since Covid-19 stresses and suffering was shared by so many others, rather than hers to bear alone. For others, a life of social isolation, being home-bound with rare excursions to stores and pharmacies, is actually nothing new, and therefore brings little deprivation. ‘This is already my life,’ another patient told me. ‘For me, there’s really nothing different about it.’
We all know how difficult life has become in the past six months since Covid-19 began to have a devastating impact on the entire world.
As a practicing psychiatrist, I have spent many hours helping patients deal with social isolation, loss of income, health issues, and innumerable other consequences of the pandemic. Unsurprisingly, many people report worsening anxiety, insomnia, depression, and other symptoms. Treatment has included additional therapy sessions, adjusting medications, etc.
However, as attested by many of my fellow psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and other therapists, it has become apparent that many patients have done unusually well in the context of these unprecedented stresses. (One person told me, “I actually feel better.”) psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and other therapists, it has become apparent that many patients have done unusually well in the context of these unprecedented stresses. Rather than more symptoms, some people have fewer. As one person told me, ‘I actually feel better. It’s as though I’ve been preparing for this my whole life, and it’s almost a relief that it is finally happening- ing.’ Another patient described a sense of community since Covid-19 stresses and suffering was shared by so many others, rather than hers to bear alone. For others, a life of social isolation, being home-bound with rare excursions to stores and pharmacies, is actually nothing new, and therefore brings little deprivation. ‘This is already my life,’ another patient told me. ‘For me, there’s really nothing different about it.’
Another aspect confirmed in discussions with many of my patients and fellow psychiatrists and psychologists are that pandemic life calls upon coping strategies already familiar to people with diagnoses of major depression, panic disorder, or bipolar disorder. In a way, the need to deal with symptoms, traumas, and losses may have led them to develop strengths that can be called upon in times like this. Over many years of struggle, they have become experts in structuring solitary time, spend- ing time in meditation, exercise, and reaching out to others virtually when face-to-face vis- its are impossible. So too, they have evolved strategies to deal with psychic consequences of isolation and stress—negative thoughts, ruminations, pessimism, physical anxiety, insomnia, etc.—and for tolerating, even enjoying, long periods of solitude.
The resilience developed over years of disorder is now being tested, and often helps significantly, whereas their friends and neighbors without similar skills may be floundering. Furthermore, they may already be connected to social networks such as MDSG, which provide the community with others diagnosed with mood disorders, which alleviate the isolation that has ballooned with social distancing. And, of course, many have long
-established treatment relationships with therapists and psychiatrists, allowing a transition to Zoom-based treatments, in contrast to people without psychiatric histories who may find treatment difficult to obtain since so many clinics and programs have either shut down or have re- reduced capacity.
All that said, it is clear that we live in extremely difficult times. Since the start of the pandemic, domestic violence has soared, the suicide rate has risen, as has substance abuse, and violent crime. Political unrest and economic insecurity have led to additional levels of stress and risk, as has the consequences of Covid-19 infection, including grief for the loss of loved ones, and a host of difficulties for those surviving infection, who may have ongoing medical consequences.
Nevertheless, I am struck by the way in which hard-won strategies for dealing with psychiatric disorders have enabled so many people to cope productively with the pandemic, and in a way to become leaders in the process of defining and optimizing survival skills in the age of Covid-19.
And believe me, our society needs help in this regard.
Dr. Hellerstein is a medical advisor to MDSG and is an MDSG Board member.
All that said, it is clear that we live in extremely difficult times. Since the start of the pandemic, domestic violence has soared, the suicide rate has risen, as has substance abuse, and violent crime. Political unrest and economic insecurity have led to additional levels of stress and risk, as has the consequences of Covid-19 infection, including grief for the loss of loved ones, and a host of difficulties for those surviving infection, who may have ongoing medical consequences.
Nevertheless, I am struck by the way in which hard-won strategies for dealing with psychiatric disorders have enabled so many people to cope productively with the pandemic, and in a way to become leaders in the process of defining and optimizing survival skills in the age of Covid-19.
And believe me, our society needs help in this regard.
Dr. Hellerstein is a medical advisor to MDSG and is an MDSG Board member.
