It makes sense that anxiety disorders increased in all age groups during the pandemic. Events were uncertain, chaotic, unprecedented in modern American history and very frightening for many people.
Fast forward six years and the number of anxiety disorders has come down somewhat from the COVID-19-related peak, but persistent anxiety remains more common now than before. Why?
Dr. Theresa (Terri) Prescott, a psychiatrist and fellow of the American Psychiatric Association who practices in Vero Beach, says that the increase in anxiety that made sense during the pandemic has, to a considerable degree, become today’s new normal.
“We got used to being isolated with no human contact,” she explains. “Unfortunately, many people have carried over pandemic-related pressures and report that they’re more tentative about seeing old friends or making new ones.”
Professor Jessica Finlay, of Colorado University at Boulder, agrees.
Finlay says that studies conducted by the university found that participants still cite fear of infection and “more uncomfortable and hostile” social dynamics as key reasons for their retreat from civic life.
“The pandemic is not over for a lot of folks,” Finlay adds. “Some people feel left behind.”
It didn’t – and doesn’t – help that anxiety was already the most common health condition before the pandemic, according to Mayo Clinic.
Prescott finds that many of those who suffer from general anxiety disorder have adopted a “that’s just how I am” attitude about the tension they live with.
“No matter how remote the chances are that something is going to happen, people are hypervigilant dealing with all the what-ifs. As a result, they’re in a state of mental exhaustion all the time.”
Adding fuel to the fire of underlying fear, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has issued warnings stating that long-haul COVID-19 has had devastating effects on the mental health of those who experience it and their families. The persistent impact of the virus has been linked to fatigue, sleep disturbances, depression, anxiety, cognitive impairment and post-traumatic stress disorder, along with other conditions.
Prescott says that for those who suffer from social anxiety, one type of anxiety disorder “have a fear of being judged or embarrassed. They got ‘out of practice’ having social conversations during COVID and they become even more anxious than they had been previously.”
Mayo Clinic adds that people suffering from social anxiety disorder simply avoid social interactions and have trouble maintaining relationships.
For others, panic attacks come out of nowhere, causing intense fear and physical symptoms. “It becomes a vicious cycle,” says Prescott. “People think they’re having a heart attack or something similarly dire. They wind up paralyzed with fear, anticipating the next episode.
“Without treatment, your world continues to shrink and eventually you don’t leave your house, and even avoid going shopping.”
The virus caused a wide range of harm, not just to mental states but also physical health, according to UChicago Medicine.
Although COVID-19 is first and foremost a respiratory virus, it attacks many systems in the body, causing dangerous inflammation.
Health experts quickly realized that adults with serious psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, were uniquely vulnerable to COVID-19 infection. But people who didn’t have psychiatric diagnoses before contracting COVID-19 weren’t invulnerable to neurological effects. Many wound up with long COVID-19 symptoms like pain, mental cloudiness, lack of sustained attention, difficulty with memory, depression, anxiety, fatigue and irritability.
Prescott says there are certain red flags that should alert you to consider seeking mental health treatment.
“If you’re avoiding things that you have always used to do, that’s a warning sign. Are you a chronically bad sleeper? Do you constantly seek reassurance from other people? Are you in a chronic state of tension? Do you find yourself changing your routine to avoid getting anxious?
“These are all signs that you should seek help.”
Mayo Clinic adds that you should pay attention to the following:
- Trouble focusing or staying present
- Feeling a sense of danger
- Sweating
- Trembling
- Increased heart rate
- Rapid breathing
- Frequent upset stomach or digestive issues
Prescott says that the biggest favor you can do for yourself is to practice good sleep hygiene. “Sleep is nature’s greatest drug. You’ll have a lot more reserve if you sleep well.
“We have many tools and treatments at our disposal to help you deal with whatever mental health issues are impacting your life. Various forms of therapy and medications will help you get back on track.
“Don’t wait to seek treatment.”
Dr. Theresa Prescott graduated from Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine. She trained in general psychiatry at Albert Einstein Medical Center and completed a Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. Prescott is board-certified in General Psychiatry and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and is a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. Her practice, Progressive Mind Center PLLC, is located at 333 17th St., Suite U, Vero Beach. Call 772-213-8881 for an appointment.
