Posted on 05/18/2021 5:30:04 PM PDT by lightman
Many Americans felt relief and joy at the announcement last week that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear masks at many indoor and outdoor locations.
But don't be surprised if those good feelings come tinged with stress or worry: Mental health experts said in a HealthDay Now interview that the COVID-19 pandemic has left a lasting mark on people's psyches, and folks will be struggling with lingering worry for some time to come.
"There's actually such a thing as post-COVID-19 stress disorder, which is along the lines of PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder]," said Sherry Amatenstein, a psychotherapist based in New York City.
"We lived for over a year with such fear and such uncertainty. Your body doesn't know what to do. Our cues are all mixed up. Suddenly what was verboten is supposed to be OK again. How do you react?" Amatenstein said. RELATED WHO: COVID-19 pandemic 'long way from over' despite vaccination efforts
Amatenstein speaks from personal experience. She's been fully vaccinated since February, but only now is starting to step back into public.
"I just actually did my first outdoor dining experience, taking a friend out for her birthday," Amatenstein said. "I told myself, 'well, look where I was a year ago and look where I am now. How did I do that?'"
Everyone is dealing with their pandemic year through a process very similar to the stages of grief, said Dr. Vivian Pender, president of the American Psychiatric Association.
During the past year, people have felt protest and shock and denial regarding the pandemic's many impacts on their lives, Pender said, and some now are moving forward with acceptance and reconciliation.
"That's, I think, happening to everyone. For those who have acknowledged that this has gone on, there's still been a tremendous loss -- loss of their way of life, loss or at least change at work, and change or loss of relationships as well," Pender said.
"I think the general impact of having a worldwide pandemic is going to take a long time for us to reconcile," Pender concluded. RELATED CDC: 2-dose COVID-19 vaccines 94% effective at preventing symptomatic illness
Amatenstein had a tougher pandemic road to travel than most. She was diagnosed with cancer about a month before New York City closed down in the face of the nation's first severe COVID-19 outbreak.
"I had to be in isolation, go to all my treatments alone, I had to have a COVID-19 test before every round of chemo, so it was very scary," she said.
Amatenstein completed her cancer treatment in October, but despite being healthy and fully vaccinated she's been hesitant to resume her life as before.
"It's difficult, especially when you have experienced trauma and fear yourself, to then venture out and start to live a somewhat 'normal life' when things are safer," Amatenstein said. "I was very grateful and remain very grateful that I did get my vaccine, but it didn't mean that my life changed very much, at least for a while."
For many people, they will ease back into regular life along with the "pod" of friends and family to whom they have been limited during the pandemic.
"A lot of people are still in their pods, their pods are getting vaccinated, and then you venture out little by little, step by step," Amatenstein said. "You know, when you're diving in the pool, make sure there's water in the pool."
However, Amatenstein counsels her patients that while they might have lost some things to the pandemic, they have gained others.
"I tell people all the time, what are the gains you've gotten from this?" Amatenstein said. "I was always afraid to be alone. I would do anything just so I wouldn't have to be alone and face the noise in my head."
For others, the pandemic showed them that life doesn't necessarily need to always move at a frantic pace.
"It's allowed them to step back and say, well, I don't have to be busy for the sake of being busy," Amatenstein said. "You can learn to more appreciate time and freedom, and what you really do value and enjoy doing in your life."
Pender agreed that for its stresses and challenges, the pandemic also brought some needed perspective to many people.
"Some people have taken stock of what's important to them and how they were living their lives, and have redirected the way they're going to go about their future," Pender said. "They've changed jobs and relationships and they're going in a more positive direction -- at least that's their intent."
It appears that you occupy the same space as those hopeless lefties by your judgment and hatred.
Didn’t you just chastise me for being judgmental? Mind your own business. You’re behaving like a freakin’ liberal, trying to tell others how to live their lives.
As is written.... Jesus entered the temple and 'drove out all' who sold and bought in the temple, and he 'overturned the tables' of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons.
Jesus looked around at them 'with anger'.
God is a righteous judge, and a God 'who feels indignation' every day.
I am sure we will know you by your fruits.
Have a good evening, no further response required. I suppose we will agree to disagree and I will still pray for you.
And yet our sins are set apart from us as far as east is from west, and God promises no memory of the sins of those cloaked in the blood of the Savior. So my understanding of the faith is that Good seeks not to be indignant, but loves his creation. After all, God so loved the world....
I intended those references to reflect that God can and does get angry....so for people to say we’re suppose to love everybody all the time is just nuts.....esepcially since loving everybody is the mantra for all the One Worlders.
“I don’t have to “return” to normal because I never left it.”
I’m the same way, I never left normal and didn’t wear a face diaper unless the operator’s of an establishment where I absolutely had to go required it.
I politely disagree. I quoted the actual words of Christ. Love your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you. We learn of the will of the Father through the Son. It’s pretty clear that Christ gave us a new commandment. I am surprised that you choose to interpret the Word in a way that is worldly. But these things are from on high. Christ did not say love your enemies unless you think they are one worlders. He said love your enemies. Period. Not a lot of wiggle room on that.
The scripture interprets itself. It is clear and concise. Not mine to argue. I have neither the authority nor the perfection to speak as I am not God. The Savior is the word made flesh. These are His words.
+1
Many who were mentally unstable to begin with.
Indeed we will disagree...I walk by faith.
The very word “enemy” comes from the Latin ”inimicus”, and means simply “not a friend”. Of course, not everyone who is not a friend is therefore an enemy. Enemies are opponents – not opponents for play, as in sports or games, ‘but in mutual opposition with us in matters of deep concern and convictions’... Their goals are opposed to our own Thus, out of conviction we must actively try to prevent them from reaching their goals. We can do this lovingly, or not.
Plenty places still masks
Especially young white people
Young whites are pathetic
Sounds like MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.
Mostly faggots and other democRATs.
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