We have been through a lot this last year, so much so, it can be hard to remember it all. We’ve endured a pandemic that led to health, family, and financial concerns. We’ve endured work and school changes. And we’ve endured cultural and political stressors (no matter what side of the aisle you’re on). After nearly a year of living in a state of prolonged and intense emotions, what we’re likely experiencing now is crisis fatigue.
Signs of Crisis Fatigue
It’s true that humans are often resilient when we encounter short spurts of stress. In fact, sometimes stress can even be beneficial, by sharpening focus and improving performance. But what we have endured in 2020 is prolonged periods of stress, without an end in sight. This seemingly endless stress can leave us with a combination of feelings, including:
- Fear
- Anxiety
- Hopelessness
- Loneliness
- Helplessness
- Frustration
- Irritability
A Crisis Together, But Not the Same
We have all been impacted by the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic to some degree. And yes, it’s true to say we’re all going through this together, but that doesn’t mean that we’re all having the same experience. This month’s Letter to Esther article reminds us that “there are people who are experiencing far more medical trauma, economic collapse, and cultural demise than others.”
There are some occupations and some communities that have been hit harder than others. There are people with preexisting medical and mental health conditions that have been hit even harder. And there are some who have had to deal with a natural disaster (wildfires or hurricanes) on top of the pandemic. Therefore, it’s important to note that this experience, although shared, is not the same for everyone.
2021: The Year of Therapeutic Healing
As a result of living in a state of prolonged and intense emotions, people who are normally able to manage their stress, may now find themselves in new, uncharted territory. But experts suppose that one positive outcome of 2020 may be that more people seek out therapy in moments like these.
In her Huffington Post article, Seraphina Seow asserts that after the multiple stressors of 2020 we may actually see less of a stigma around therapy. That could mean that if 2020 is the year of crisis fatigue, 2021 just may be the year of therapeutic healing.
Therapy Through a Pandemic, Get Help for Crisis Fatigue
As we near the end of 2020, still in the height of COVID-19, the one thing to remember is that you are not alone. Whether this is the first time you’ve considered therapy, or if it’s been awhile, know that therapists are specially trained to help in times like this.
If you would like to begin healing from the unique stress and trauma of 2020, Dr. Alyx can help. Dr. Alyx MacTernan offers secure online counseling sessions for residents of California, Georgia, Florida, and Texas. Fill out the website contact form to begin the therapeutic healing process today.