There is no escaping news of the coronavirus. Whether it’s reports of deaths, cities declaring a state of emergency, or stores running out of antibacterial soap, everyone seems to be talking about it. So much is currently unknown, which is making people all over the country anxious about the future.
We went searching for answers about what we can do to help manage anxiety about COVID-19.
Less worrying, more fact-seeking
When to ask for help
According to Hafeez, being prepared and taking precautions (like washing your hands and canceling cruises) falls under the domain of being sensible. What may be cause for concern is when you’ve isolated yourself (when it’s not medically necessary) and are obsessively consuming information.
“If you are having problems sleeping, if you are eating more/less, not going out in public (assuming there is no quarantine), turning to alcohol or drugs, feel depressed, have lost interest in activities/hobbies, feel physically or mentally anxious regularly, then you should seek the help of a licensed therapist,” Hafeez advised.
But trust your gut and don’t hesitate to seek help if you feel you need it. “You need not be exhibiting all of these signs to warrant getting help,” she added.
