How to Avoid Covid Catastrophizing and Anxiety

It is easy to understand why people are getting a bit freaked out about Covid-19. It is like being surrounded by an invisible enemy that might inflict damage on your health, or a loved one’s health, at any time. You can’t see it, but every day you hear about how this virus threatens us, how it lurks in the shadows. When we aren’t able to wrap our arms and minds around a potential threat it leads to catastrophizing. This is the phenomenon where your mind goes to the very worst outcome imaginable, even if it is highly unlikely the virus will cross your path. People have been experiencing significant mental health effects due to the constant worry. With no end in sight for the pandemic, we live our lives with thoughts of the virus following us through our daily activities. Over time, the relentless exposure to negative news stories and mounting case counts can lead to sleep disruption, chronic stress, and ill health. So, how do we know if all this excess worry has caused us to develop an anxiety disorder? Take the anxiety quiz and find out!

Getting Help for Anxiety During the Covid Crisis

When you find that your anxiety is off the charts during the pandemic, it is good to know that there is help available to guide you through this stressful historic event. No one is spared from worrying over the Covid-19 virus, but there are some effective ways to manage that worry. First, it is helpful to understand the diagnostic criteria for anxiety disorder. Symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder include:

• Excessive worrying, feelings of fear and dread
• Fatigue
• Restlessness
• Irritability
• Muscle tension
• Sleep disturbance
• Difficulty concentrating

When the symptoms become so severe that they cause impairment, it is considered a diagnosable anxiety disorder. Treatment for anxiety disorder includes:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. CBT helps individuals with anxiety disorder learn how to change thought distortions that keep them in a cycle of fear. They identify the dysfunctional thought patterns and shift them toward more positive self-messaging. CBT becomes an important coping skill for managing anxiety.
• Group Support. Group therapy sessions, either in person or online, allow small groups to share their own personal experiences and make suggestions about what has helped them manage anxiety more effectively. Peer support can be a powerful source of support for individuals battling anxiety.
• Medication. Some people with anxiety disorder may benefit from medication that helps provide swift relief during a panic attack, or for assistance with sleep. These medications are sedatives from the benzodiazepine family of drugs. They might include Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, or Valium.
• Holistic Methods. Learning methods to self soothe is essential when dealing with an anxiety disorder. Practicing yoga has significant stress-reducing properties, and can be done from home. Other relaxation techniques might include journaling, meditation, massage, acupuncture, and daily exercise.

The Treatment Specialist has an online anxiety quiz to help you determine if you might benefit from mental health treatment.