COVID-19 Support Doctors: How to manage our stress and anxiety through the crisis
Concise Tips for managing anxiety/stress (adapted from PHPA Psychologist Melissa Brown, PsyD):
1. Limit media exposure. Stay informed from reputable sources (eg. CDC) but not inundated with information. Know your limits when watching the news. If you notice any changes in your mood, i.e. irritation, agitation, aggressiveness, etc. you are probably being over stimulated. Repeatedly watching the same information is not going to help you.
2. Get outside and take a walk with your family, exercise or do some other mind stimulating activity that gets you moving. This will help you decrease your overall feeling of “cabin fever”
3. Take breaks from social media and other platforms
4. Try reading a book or engaging in another hobby
5. Play games with your family
6. Video chat with friends and family whom you have not seen in a long time (and avoid talking about the covid-19)
7. Continue with you medical treatment; especially if you have any underlying medical/mental health condition- taking care of your physical and mental health will help you mitigate any extra stress which you might be feeling
8. Be sure you are sticking to your regular routine (including sleeping, eating) as best as you can.
REFERENCES/RESOURCES
VIRTUAL SUPPORT GROUPS & RESOURCES - https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/virtual-recovery-resources.pdf
WEBSITE- SAMHSA guidelines- https://www.samhsa.gov/coronavirus
WEBSITE/SAMHSA guidelines- https://www.samhsa.gov/coronavirus
WEBSITE/HANDOUT/PDF - Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope With the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)- https://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/resources/fact-sheet/outbreak_factsheet_1.pdf
CDC: Stress and Coping- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html
Coronavirus on the Inpatient Unit: A New Challenge for Psychiatry-
Journal Article- How to Stay Clam Amid Coronavirus Pandemic Anxiety Relief Tips.
National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 24/7, confidential and free for people in distress, for prevention and for crisis resources: 1-800-273-8255 or via online chat platform at suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat
National Domestic Violence Hotline is 24/7, confidential and free for anyone experiencing domestic violence, seeking resources or information, or questioning unhealthy aspects of their relationship: 1-800-799-7233 or via online chat platform at www.thehotline.org/what-is-live-chat/
National Sexual Assault Hotline is 24/7, confidential and free for anyone who would like to speak to a trained staff member: 1-800-656-4673 or via online chat platform at hotline.rainn.org/online
National Parent Helpline is available Monday through 1 pm to 10 pm to provide emotional support and problem-solving help for parents: 1-855-427-2736.
WeConnect Health Management is offering free virtual substance use recovery support at www.weconnectrecovery.com/free-online-support-meetings
YouTube video and podcast If you would like to watch an interview about this by our LMT presenter, Dr Rachel Morris, and Dr Caro-line Walker, click here (available now): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2LQEpJPfcM&feature=youtu.be
Or you can listen to it as a podcast (available from Tuesday 24 March): https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/you-are-not-a-frog-dr-rachel-morris--rHzcMihqVS/
For adult patients
Useful leaflet for patients offering suggestions for coping with the emotional and psychological impact of COVID-19:
For children (our own and our patients) https://tinyurl.com/COVID-Young-Child
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