For one writer, the coronavirus outbreak seemed to confirm her worst fears.
Here’s how she’s learned to better manage her anxiety during the pandemic.
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Its like a troll, constantly whispering that something terrible is about to happen.
When I attempt to shrug it off, the voice comes roaring back louder.
While my anxiety isalwaysthere, most of the time, I live a functional, content existence.
Nicole Beurkens, PhD, is a holistic clinical psychologist based in Michigan who specializes in child, adolescent, and family mental health.
Usually, everything is fine.
My anxiety troll was smarter than I was, though.
Its going to get worse, it whispered.
The troll inside my head was no longer alone.
It had a supporting chorus voicing its worries: other people online, friends and family, the media.
The troll inside my head was no longer alone.
It had a supporting chorus voicing its worries: other people online, friends and family, the media.
There was no break or respite.
Worry that once came and went in waves was now on a loop.
Nicole Beurkens, PhD, is a holistic clinical psychologist based in Michigan who specializes in child, adolescent, and family mental health.
Ill admit there was something soothing about waltzing into quarantine already knowing what anxiety feels like.
To begin with, she says that Im not alone.
Anxiety is a totally normal human emotion, she explains.
And nothing begets anxiety quite like change, she says.
Dr. Beurkens adds that many of my worries are appropriate.
Being afraid of getting sick with COVID-19a deadly disease with no cureis a reasonable concern to have right now.
But when that thought becomes all-consuming, theres an issue that may require intervention.
For someone in the Canadian rural countryside though, that fear is entirely unfounded.
With that example, the difference is obvious.
How can I tell whether my anxiety is inappropriate if I feel like I cant trust my rational mind?
Its often the stories in our head, the fictions we tell ourselves, that lead to anxiety.
They are fabricated ideas.
Feelings absence of thought can often lead us astray.
All things considered, Ive been coping better than expected with this new state of affairs.
Im comfortable being alone.
If I never had to go to another large gathering again, I think Id be fine with that.
I also havent had to alter my social habits in the slightestbeing a hermit has its perks, apparently.
But I still worry that others will behave in ways that are harmful to me or others.
Somehow it makes that nasty voice in my head less menacing.
When I shared this COVID-related concern with Dr. Beurkens, she explains it in the thought-versus-story framework.
All anxiety is about uncertaintya sense of not being able to control things.
You have created a story in your mind that other peoples actions play a major role in what happens.
This is something outside of your control because you cant ever control another person, she says.
Focusing on what you cannot controlin this case, other peoplewill always lead to increased anxiety.
Ive also realized that Im not alone.
When I experienced anxiety in the past, it was exceptionally lonelyeven when I was surrounded by people.
If nothing else, the pandemic has made me realize that what Im feeling isnt unique.
Somehow it makes that nasty voice in my head less menacing.
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