​May is for Mental Health Awareness - Be Aware of Symptoms of Acute Stress Reaction from COVID 19

​May is for Mental Health Awareness - Be Aware of Symptoms of Acute Stress Reaction from COVID 19

For May Mental Health Awareness month 2020 we are facing extraordinarily difficult times during this Coronavirus pandemic. Suicide hotlines are reporting an increased volume of calls since the outbreak of COVID 19 in the United States. Another sign of these distressing times are the news reports about people becoming victims of suicide. All of this prompts extra importance to raise awareness of possible symptoms of mental distress, now more than ever. By raising awareness, we can better identify the distress in ourselves or in others and get the help that is needed.

Could you or a loved one be having an Acute Stress Reaction due to COVID 19? Many people have reported experiencing distressing emotions and other symptoms in connection to the current distressing situation we are all living under. The pandemic has reached the threshold of being classified as a traumatic event, as it has been threatening lives and taken many. An Acute Stress Reaction is when a person is having symptoms in response to a traumatic event.

You may be having an Acute Stress Reaction in response to COVID 19 if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms.

- Distressing memories, flashbacks or nightmares of traumatic experiences connected to the pandemic.

- Extreme or drawn-out reactive distress in response to reminders or cues of the traumatic events.

- Relentless negative mood or lowered ability to experience feelings of happiness, love, or contentment.

- Feelings of being in a daze or a sense of altered reality.

- Being unable to remember some things connected to the traumatic event.

- Doing things to avoid triggers setting off distressing memories and feelings in connection to the trauma, such as avoidance of certain conversations, people, or situations.

- Having difficulty falling or staying asleep, or an inability to achieve rest-full sleep.

- Anger outbursts, irritability, verbal or physical aggression.

- Being hyper-vigilant.

- An inability to concentrate.

- Being easily startled.

The corona virus pandemic and necessary social distancing is taking its toll on people's mental health. It is generally better and recommended to deal with mental health issues as soon as possible to avoid lasting or worsening of symptoms. Please reach out and get help if you or a loved one are in distress from mental health symptoms connected to COVID 19.

You're not alone. ~ Let's Talk! ~ Petra

www.petracounseling.com

If you are experiencing a mental health emergency please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 Or go to your nearest emergency room.